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VOLUME 31, NUMBER 11
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Alternative Health News
Helping Patients Through Pregnancy Loss
There is a lot of focus in the acupuncture world on fertility and helping women get pregnant. It's exhilarating to hear the news that a patient is expecting a baby. The other side of that is pregnancy loss. That includes abortion, miscarriage or stillbirth.
Freeing the Heart: Protection of the Hip and Shoulder Joints
As we continue with this current series of articles on Freeing The Heart, if we consider the basic physiology of the human circulatory system, it seems evident that when the heart and lungs reach full expansion with a minimum of resistance, the heart will eject more blood and at a greater velocity.
Massage Helps Hospital Patients Manage Pain
The authors of this publication, Adams and colleagues, suggest pain management within the acute care setting is a focus of empirical study by researchers, healthcare facilities and accreditation organizations throughout the United States.
What's Your Story?

It's all too simple, yet essential. The universal question that often times we're asked by clients when we start a massage session. At least, with the chatty ones looking for conversation.


Creating Lucrative Private Retreats that Heal You and Your Clients
Imagine that you've just wrapped up your most profitable day ever, leaving your treatment room with a check in hand for $1,500. How many clients would you have to see to earn that much in a day? Fifteen at $100 a session? Ten at $150? Six at $250?
You are What You Eat Part II: Integrative Protocols
In the previous installment of this article I discussed important ideas concerning gastrointestinal health and foundational ideas from TCM, which can provide key insights into creating effective protocols for healing the gut.
The Massage Profession Must Continue to Evolve
Evolution is defined as any process of formation or growth, development, as well as a process of gradual, peaceful, progressive change or development by Dictionary.com.
The Spirits of the Points: The Gall Bladder Official
The Gall Bladder is known as The Official of Decision Making and Judgment. In any given day, this Official makes countless decisions – conscious and unconscious, which influence every aspect of our being.
Muscles as Team Players
Synergistic dominance occurs as "helper" muscles are recruited to take over function when a "prime mover" muscle fails, much like when a football coach calls in the substitute players when a key player is injured.
Judge Lifts Stay of Florida PIP Injunction
Circuit Court Judge Terry P. Lewis lifted an automatic stay of a temporary injunction against the Florida Personal Injury Protection law.
Herbal Medicine: Go Mainstream
When it comes to practicing herbal medicine in a mainstream setting, there are a number of important points to understand when it comes to prescribing formulas. Some important questions to ask are - what method of prescribing and dispensing is most effective in this setting?
There Are No Secrets: Treating Complicated Conditions with TCM
Including standardized extra points, there are just over 400 acupuncture points on the body. You get 400 and I get 400 - same. Yet, time and time again treatment protocols are coveted as if they were some secret formula only intended for the right and privileged.
Creative Strategies to Boost Your Business
Years ago I realized the truth behind the saying that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. I find that so many people, either personally or professionally, are "insane" by that definition.
Healing Leaders

Energy is a hot commodity. Society pays dearly for it and for the expertise of those who know how to cultivate it.


Happenings in Our Evolving Profession
Good things seem to be happening for our profession and recent developments show we are all on board. Talking about being on board, this September The Veterans Express-Purple Heart Tour is expected to make its way out of the station.
A Freebie
Let's face it – patient evaluation takes time. Unless you are really into the diagnostic evaluation game, you probably have found the formal exam protocol tedious if not downright annoying.
Key Nutrients for Maintaining Musculoskeletal Health
As a chiropractor, I fully appreciate the amazing potential of manual therapy. Whether that therapy is a chiropractic adjustment, therapeutic massage, or some of the many other effective body work options; people generally have a wonderful response.

Economics of Complementary/Integrative Care
Although this column doesn't usually feature a book review, we're going outside of our usual public health format to discuss a new book written by Patricia Herman ND, PhD.
Helping Infertility Patients with the Spirit Essence
As many of you know, when it comes to treating infertility, we are dealing with a patient population that is, generally speaking, in emotional turmoil. These patients often experience fear, anxiety, despair, hopelessness, grief and anger.
Dealing with Painful Foot Injuries, Part 2
In part one of this two-part series, published in the April issue, we began talking about foot pain and discussed several different injuries that affect that area of the body. Now we're going to move on to give you practical tips for soothing the feet.
Help in Understanding Parkinson's, Part 2
In part one of this series from the April issue, I presented an understanding of Parkinson's disease (PD), its symptoms and current medical treatment.

Adventitious Tissue Structures of Elevated Tissue Density
A 12-year-old boy was brought into my clinic complaining of pain in his right heel, which impaired his ability to participate in sports, even to walk normally.
The Power of Inhalation: Diffusing Essential Oils
When using essential oils as part of a massage practice, most of the focus goes on properties that can help relieve muscles and joints when applied topically.
Peer Points: Stories of Practice Success
When patients go see Arizona-based acupuncturist Jing Liu, it is to get top care from an practitioner well versed in all aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
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Dynamic Chiropractic – October 7, 2011, Vol. 29, Issue 21
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Dynamic Chiropractic

Is McDonald's Beginning to Correct Its Course?

By Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher

Back on April 27, 2010, the Santa Clara County (California) Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance banning the use of toys to encourage children to eat unhealthy meals offered by restaurants.1 This was the first move by a government body to try to address the obesity epidemic that is plaguing America's children.

Approximately 12.5 million children over 2 years of age are currently considered obese. That's 17 percent of our children or one out of every six kids.2

Shortly after the decision by the Santa Clara County board, Dynamic Chiropractic published an article focusing on the issue and asking DCs and their patients to contact McDonald's and encourage the fast-food chain to improve the meals it sells to children.3

Then on Nov. 2, 2010, also as reported in DC, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 to require that kids' meals meet certain nutritional standards before they can be sold with toys. This law sets the bar for healthy children's meals as those "that have less than 600 calories, contain fruits and vegetables, and include beverages without excessive fat or sugar."4-5

Apparently feeling the pressure from these and other government regulations, the McDonald's organization is beginning to make concessions. On July 26, 2011, it announced its "Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choices."6 This announcement included the decision to do the following:

  • By March 2012: provide apples in every Happy Meal (with a smaller serving of French fries)
  • By 2015: "reduce sodium an average of 15 percent overall across its national menu of food choices"
  • By 2020: "reduce added sugars, saturated fat and calories through varied portion sizes, reformulations and innovations."
  • "[Increase] customers' and employees' access to nutrition information."

A review of the current McDonald's kids' meals menu7 reveals that of the current 24 meal combinations offered, five still exceed 600 calories; specifically some of the meals with cheeseburgers and a hamburger, fries and low-fat chocolate-milk meal. The nutritional information for the new menu that includes meals with apples and fewer fries is not out yet. But the company seems to be moving in the right direction. One source shows that the new Happy Meals will have 6 fewer grams of fat and between 110 and 120 fewer calories.8

It is no secret what a healthy meal should include. The high sugar content, lack of whole grains and lack of meaningful vegetables in kids' meals are still at issue. As a food source for millions of children, McDonald's cannot ignore its responsibility to offer healthier meals to children, regardless of what children will eat or parents will buy.

One can only hope that companies such as McDonald's will not only listen to the voice of the public (not to mention government regulations), but also consider carefully its role in good health. Our country is currently facing an epidemic, with almost 75 percent of our adults overweight, obese or extremely obese.9 What we as a country are eating plays a major role in this epidemic.

As a doctor of chiropractic, you are uniquely qualified to work with people to correct their eating habits, introduce them to the concept of solid nutrition (a concept that may be foreign to them), teach them about exercise and provide the necessary adjustments to help them achieve optimal health. As you educate and inform your patients, they will in turn make better choices, which will ultimately send a message to fast-food companies that they need to be more nutritionally aware.

References

  1. Bernstein S. "It's a Sad Day for Happy Meals in Santa Clara County." Los Angeles Times, April 28, 2010.
  2. "Obesity Rates Hit Plateau in U.S., Data Suggest." New York Times, Jan. 13, 2010.
  3. "Taking a Stand Against Childhood Obesity." Dynamic Chiropractic, Aug. 26, 2010;28(18).
  4. "Law Curbs McDonald's Happy Meal Toys." Reuters, Nov. 3, 2010. www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6A16PR20101103
  5. "A Golden Opportunity for McDonald's to Finally Do the Right Thing." Dynamic Chiropractic, Jan. 1, 2011;29(1).
  6. "McDonald's® Announces Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choices." McDonald's press release, July 26, 2011.
  7. Nutrition Information for McDonald's Happy Meals. Effective July 25, 2011 http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/Happy_Meals_Nutrition_List.pdf
  8. "McDonald's New Happy Meal: Compare Calories!" ABC News/Health, July 26, 2010.
  9. Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and Extreme Obesity Among Adults: United States, Trends 1960–1962 Through 2007–2008. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Read more findings on my blog: http://blog.toyourhealth.com/wrblog/. You can also visit me on Facebook.

Click here for more information about Donald M. Petersen Jr., BS, HCD(hc), FICC(h), Publisher.

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