At my chiropractic clinic, Discover Chiropractic in the SW Portland / Beaverton area I get several questions daily about diets. I am not a fan of most of the fad diets I have seen and read about. It seems everyone I know has tried a few and failed. What I do recommend is to ADD good quality foods to what you normally eat (fruits & vegetables). It has been working much better with my patients instead of taking away foods. Once you get used to the added quality foods it becomes easier to drop away the unhealthy ones. We have advanced lectures in our office in Beaverton / SW Portland on Nutrition. If you are interested in learning more call our office to find out the date for our next nutrition lecture.

At my chiropractic clinic called Discover Chiropractic in the SW Portland / Beaverton area I work on athletes of all levels and from almost all sports. I am posting a few of the studies that have been done concerning athletes and how Chiropractic has improved their performance and reaction time.

Peer Reviewed Journals:

The use and role of sport chiropractors in the national football league: a short report. Stump JL, Redwood D. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2002 (Mar-Apr); 25 (3): E2

There is significant chiropractic participation in US professional football. Certified athletic trainers see a role for the sport chiropractor in the NFL, primarily as a spinal specialist treating low back and other musculoskeletal injuries. A substantial majority of NFL trainers have developed cooperative relationships with chiropractors, with 77% having referred a player to a chiropractor. Thirty-one percent of NFL teams have a chiropractor officially on staff, and an additional 12% of teams refer players to chiropractors but do not directly retain these chiropractors.

Chiropractic effects on athletic ability. Lauro A. Mouch B. Chiropractic: The Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation. 1991; 6: 84-87

Fifty athletes were tested. They were divided into two groups. One group received chiropractic adjustments, the other served as controls. Eleven tests were used to measure aspects of athletic ability including: agility, balance, kinesthetic perception, power, and reaction time. After 6 weeks, the control group exhibited minor improvement in eight of the 11 tests while the chiropractic group improved significantly in all 11 tests. In a hand reaction test measuring the speed of reaction with the hand in response to a visual stimulus, the control group exhibited less than a 1% response while the chiropractic group exhibited more than an 18% response after 6 weeks. After 12 weeks the chiropractic group exhibited more than 30% improvement.

Athletic performance and physiological measures in baseball players following upper cervical chiropractic care: a pilot study. Schwartzbauer J, Kolber J, Schwartzbauer, DC, Hart, JDC, Zhang J. Paper Presented at the National Subluxation Conference, October 12-13, 1996 Phoenix, Arizona, Sponsored by Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic. Published in the J of Vertebral Subluxation Research 1997; 1 (4): 7

Abstract: The athletic performance of university baseball player was assessed before, during and after chiropractic care. Each athlete’s performance was evaluated by athletic abilities, such as the vertical jump, standing road jump. Linear space (specified), broad jump (specified), muscles strength; and physiological tests such as electrical cardiogram, blood pressure, pulse rate and treadmill stress testing. 28 players were recruited for the study. Twenty players completed the entire experiment with usable data. All players were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. Every player was required to complete three sessions of athletic ability and physiological tests. The first test was administered before any chiropractic care was given. The second test was given after six weeks of chiropractic care. The third test was given after fourteen weeks of chiropractic care. Only the subjects in the experimental group received chiropractic adjustments to remove/reduce vertebral subluxation. The results showed a positive correlation between chiropractic adjustments and athletic performance.

Note: In addition to the above improvements, the chiropractic group showed significant improvement in capillary count at five and fourteen weeks of chiropractic care. Since healthy oxygenation of tissues is dependent up blood supply, this physiologic parameter may be the most important one of all.

Additional publications:

Jocks and Chiropractic Care From: The Latest Stuff from Gerry by Gerald Clum, DC President of Life Chiropractic College-West. November 1998 issue (on-line):

There have been a number of recent high profile articles and references to world class athletes receiving chiropractic care. On October 16, USA Today carried an extensive article about Emmitt Smith with the headline “Cowboys’ Smith still runs ahead of time” with a tag line “Body maintenance key to longevity for backfield star.” The article notes “Smith will head to his chiropractor.” Smith himself commented, “I started doing this on a regular basis about four or five years ago. I believe what I am doing is helping me go on. I think Warren Moon does the same thing. So I’ve become a big, big believer in servicing my body and making sure it is lined up properly and functioning the way it should be on Sundays.”

The San Francisco Chronicle ran an article a few days later under the headline “Considering the Alternative,” which was a discussion of the use of alternative health care by professional athletes. “More and more professional athletes are embracing alternative health practices, forcing teams to acknowledge the effectiveness of everything from shark cartilage to chiropractic care.” “Though more teams are acknowledging the effectiveness of acupuncture and chiropractic care, even these practices are considered too unusual for by some teams. The Chicago Bulls, for example, do not have a chiropractor on staff, so Scottie Pippen has to hire one on his own. In the NBA finals in June, Pippen received chiropractic care at least once during a game-only because he brought the chiropractor to the game.” “Chiropractors are flown in at the player’s expense,” said Dr. Malcolm Conway, a chiropractor in Pennsylvania who works with wide receivers Rocket Ismail and Qadry Ismail and other professional athletes. “Athletes like Pippen are willing to pay for chiropractic care because they need to recover quickly from injuries and they believe chiropractic treatment has a good rate of success.” I agree!

References from Koren Publications’ brochure: Sports and Chiropractic
Green, J. Fort Lauderdale Sun-Tattler, July 7, 1988. Sec. D. P.1
Athens, N. Chiropractic Achievers, Nov/Dec 1989, p.38.
Haldeman, S. “Spinal Manipulative Therapy in Sports Medicine.” Clinics in Sports Medicine 5(1986): p. 277.
U.S. News and World Report, 31 July, 1989, p.56.

If you have any specific questions feel free to call my office and I would be happy to talk with you. Call my office Discover Chiropractic in SW Portland / Beaverton at 503-297-3771.

This was a research paper in Spine that looked into the effects of poor posture. I included comments from Dr. Murphy. We have been focusing on structural correction of abnormal postures in Portland at our clinic for the last five years. Since our move to the Beaverton / Raleigh Hills area we have incorporated a multi faceted approach to postural correction.

The Impact of Positive Sagittal Balance in Adult Spinal Deformity

Spine Volume 30(18), September 15, 2005 pp. 2024-2029
Glassman, Steven D. MD; Bridwell, Keith MD; Dimar, John R. MD; Horton, William
MD; Berven, Sigurd MD; Schwab, Frank MD

FROM ABSTRACT:
Study Design.
This study is a retrospective review of 752 patients with adult spinal deformity
enrolled in a multicenter prospective database in 2002 and 2003.
Patients with positive sagittal balance (N = 352) were further evaluated regarding
radiographic parameters and health status measures, including the Scoliosis
Research Society patient questionnaire, MOS short form-12, and Oswestry Disability
Index.

Objectives.
To examine patients with adult deformity with positive sagittal balance to define
parameters within that group that might differentially predict clinical impact.
Summary of Background Data.
In a multicenter study of 298 adults with spinal deformity, positive sagittal balance
[forward head / body] was identified as the radiographic parameter most highly
correlated with adverse health status outcomes.
Methods.
Radiographic evaluation was performed according to a standarized protocol for 36-
inch standing radiographs. [IMPORTANT: the analysis in this study was a
measurement for forward head / body done on an upright full-spine lateral
x-ray]. Magnitude of positive sagittal balance [forward head / body] and
regional sagittal Cobb angle measures were recorded.
Statistical correlation between radiographic parameters and health status measures
were performed. Potentially confounding variables were assessed.

Results.
The C7 plumb line deviation ranged from 1 to 271 mm. [about 11 inches]
All measures of health status showed significantly poorer scores as C7 plumb line
deviation increased. [WOW!]
Patients with relative kyphosis in the lumbar region had significantly more disability
than patients with normal or lordotic lumbar sagittal Cobb measures.

Conclusions.
This study shows that although even mildly positive sagittal balance is somewhat
detrimental, severity of symptoms increases in a linear fashion with progressive
sagittal imbalance.
The results also show that kyphosis is very poorly tolerated in the lumbar spine.
THESE AUTHORS ALSO NOTE:
With respects to spinal deformities, “investigators have begun to apply
reproducible evaluation techniques, including standardized radiographs, gait
analysis, and validated health status measures.”
“In a recent multicenter study of 298 adults with spinal deformity, positive
sagittal balance was identified as the radiographic parameter most highly correlated
with adverse health status outcomes.”
[Glassman SD, Berven S, Bridwell K, et al. Correlation of radiographic parameters
and clinical symptoms in adult scoliosis. Spine 2005;30:682-8.]
“Positive sagittal balance was defined as an anterior deviation of the C7
plumb line measurement.” [Like a forward head or forward body syndrome]
“Positive sagittal balance was more significantly associated with pain and
disability than curve magnitude, curve location, or coronal imbalance.”
The purpose of this study was to examine patients with adult deformity with
positive sagittal balance [a forward head or forward body syndrome] to define
parameters within that group that might differentially predict clinical symptoms.
Patient self-assessment measures of health status collected were the Scoliosis
Research Society patient questionnaire (SRS-29), MOS short form-12 (SF-12), and
Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).
In this study, “radiographic measures of deformity were recorded based on a
standardized manual of measurement techniques.” Anteroposterior and lateral 36-
inch standing radiographs were exposed. [IMPORTANT: standing AP and lateral
full-spine 36-inch radiographs were used].
“Coronal plane parameters included major and minor curve location, curve
magnitude by Cobb angle, and coronal imbalance by C7 plumb line deviation.”
“The sagittal balance [anterior-posterior] was determined based on the
deviation of the C7 plumb line, originating at the middle of the C7 vertebral body,
from the posterior superior endplate of S1.”
“Positive sagittal balance was defined as an anterior deviation of the C7
plumb line.” [Like a forward head or forward body syndrome]

“Patient reported health status measures, including the SF-12, SRS-29, and
ODI, were analyzed to determine a relationship between type, location, or
magnitude of deformity, and overall health status, pain, and function.”

RESULTS
“Positive sagittal balance [forward head or forward body syndrome] based on
C7 plumb line deviation ranged from 1 to 271 mm (mean 57.7 ± 51.2).”
There was a high degree of correlation between positive sagittal balance and
adverse health status scores, for physical health composite score and pain domain.
[Important]
“There was clear evidence of increased pain and decreased function as the
magnitude of positive sagittal balance increased.” [Important]
“All measures of health status (SF-12, SRS-29, and ODI) showed significantly
poorer scores as C7 plumb line deviation increased.”
“There was no significant correlation between thoracic or thoracolumbar
sagittal Cobb deformity and any of the health status measures.”

DISCUSSION
An increasing number of patients with adult deformity are seeking medical care.
“Several [surgical] studies have shown that adequate restoration of sagittal
plane alignment is necessary to improve significantly clinical outcome and avoid
subsequent pseudoarthrosis.”
“Positive sagittal balance [forward head / body] has also been identified as
the radiographic parameter most highly correlated with adverse outcome measures
in unoperated adult spinal deformity.”
“This study shows that although even mildly positive sagittal balance is
somewhat detrimental, severity of symptoms increases in a linear fashion with
progressive sagittal imbalance.”
Kyphosis is “very poorly tolerated in the lumbar spine.”
“These findings emphasize the importance of thoroughly accessing sagittal
plane alignment in the treatment of spinal deformity.”
“With surgical treatment, maintenance or restoration of lumbar lordosis
appears to be critical.”

KEY POINTS FROM AUTHORS:
1) Severity of symptoms increases in a linear fashion with progressive positive
sagittal balance.
2) Relative kyphosis is very poorly tolerated in the lumbar spine.
3) The use of reproducible radiographic and clinical outcome measures facilitates
the development of more effective treatment paradigms for patients with adult
deformity.
KEY POINTS FROM DAN MURPHY:
1) The analysis in this study was a measurement for forward head / body done
on an upright full-spine lateral x-ray.
2) These authors measured the sagittal plumb line distance between the center
of C7 vertebral body with respects to the superior posterior surface of the sacrum.
3) This study showed a deterioration of health status with progressive forward
head / body sagittal balance.
4) All measures of health status showed significantly poorer scores as C7 plumb
line deviation increased forward of the sacrum.
5) Even minor forward head / body sagittal balance is detrimental.
6) The severity of symptoms increases in a linear fashion with progressive
increase of forward head / body sagittal imbalance.
7) Kyphosis is very poorly tolerated in the lumbar spine.
There was clear evidence of increased pain and decreased function as the
magnitude of forward head / body sagittal balance increased.
9) “These findings emphasize the importance of thoroughly accessing sagittal
plane alignment in the treatment of spinal deformity.”
10) Relative kyphosis is very poorly tolerated in the lumbar spine.

Avoid peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers and other popular fruits and vegetables unless they have been grown organically. This is according to new data released by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)—a watchdog organization focusing on food and beverage safety.

Researchers at CSPI measured the toxin levels found in both organically grown and pesticide-treated fruits and vegetables. The differences were staggering, as non-organic fruits and vegetables were found to hold significantly higher levels of toxic chemicals. The biggest offenders posing the greatest health risks were non-organic peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce and potatoes. The CSPI is urging consumers to only eat organic versions of these fruits and vegetables.

Non-organic fruits and vegetables become “toxic” when they are sprayed with pesticide chemicals in an effort to ward off insect damage. But contrary to popular belief, these chemicals don’t just wash off; instead, the toxic pesticides are absorbed into the body of fruits and vegetables, which we then eat.

Knowledge is power. Make a conscious decision to improve the future of your health by choosing to eat organic produce. Drink plenty of water. And schedule regular chiropractic adjustments to enhance your body’s ability to naturally heal itself and ward off sickness.

[Source: Dr. Bob’s Healthy Living Tips, drbob4health.com]