Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Drugs, Immunity, Health, Chiropractic


This blog was an inspired response to my brother-in-law's latest blog.  Check out his post at  http://mattandrachaelbecker.blogspot.com           
            I believe you are on to something Matt.....chiropractic!! :) Drugs are meant to be a quick fix but like you said they cover up the symptom you are taking them for and cause another symptom that you need another drug to fix.  You are better off to let the body do it’s work and heal itself.  We are amazing and complicated creatures created by God.  He in fact created our bodies so amazing that we have a natural response to react and then recover from outside organisms that create disease in our body.  In the case of ear infections, it hurts our heart to see our babies in pain and suffering however, this is just the body doing it's work.  In fact, science has shown that if you allow the power of the body to heal itself, you will recover in a faster time on a cellular level and at the same time will be building antibodies to this disease to prevent fewer, if any, outbreaks in the future.  Studies show that kids who are treated with antibiotics for otitis media (ear infections) suffered 2-6 times more recurrence than children without treatment.  A study was performed on the recovery from ear infections in children without treatment of antibiotics.  The conclusion was that "nearly 2/3 of children with uncomplicated acute otitis media recovered from pain and fever within 24 hours of diagnosis and without treatment by antibiotics, and that over 80% of children had complete resolution within 1-7 days." (1) Another study showed that amoxycillin is very little help in treating otitis media.  A fever is a normal response of the body to fight off infection.  Scientists have proven that babies who have regular fevers in the first year have stronger immune systems and are at less risk of allergies, asthma, and eczema than those kids who were treated with antibiotics.  Fevers 104 degrees and higher should seek medical care.  Below that let the body do it’s work.
            Are drugs making us healthier?  No!  According to the book Death By Medicine, by Drs. Gary Null, Carolyn Dean, Martin Feldman, Debora Rasio and Dorothy Smith, nearly 800,000 people are killed every year from pharmaceuticals and iatrogenic causes.  This is equivalent to 6 jumbo jets crashing full of people every day for 1 year.  However, this is not considered a tragedy (2).  Although, the 9/11 attacks by terrorists killed nearly 3,000 people in 1 day (4 jumbo jets full) and this is a tragedy that has consumed our nation's dollars.  Maybe we should be putting our money towards a health reform to include chiropractic, nutrition, exercise, acupuncture and other sources of health care that allow the body to heal the body rather than the pharmaceuticals and  their research that are creating disease and death in our bodies. 
So you ask what can I do to avoid providing more ammunition for these drug companies and start to soothe our babies and ourselves?  Well as I stated earlier, Matt you’re catching on to something, chiropractic.  Science has proven that the nervous system is that master system of the body.  When we have interference on this nervous system our body is functioning at less than it’s potential.  A chiropractic adjustment will remove the interference or pressure off this system relieving our bodies of this dis-ease that has created disease. 
            In the case of ear infections specifically, a chiropractic adjustment each day, if necessary, will provide the body all it needs to fight the infection.  A study published in the Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics looked at the effectiveness of chiropractic care on ear infections.  This study consisted of 46 children 5 years and under receiving adjustments.  The results were that 93% of the cases improved within 1-10 days.  We can also make sure that our babies are getting plenty of sleep, avoid dairy including bananas and soy products and keep the ear dry.  Natural remedies include a few drops of warm garlic and olive oil mixture (using an eye dropper) into the ear, or a 2-3% dilution hydrogen peroxide.  Also, make sure they are getting lots of vitamin C (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and decreases histamine levels), garlic (antibiotic activity, lowers blood cholesterol levels, and blood pressure), zinc (antioxidant, strengthen our joints and protector against cellular damage), and, or a good children’s multi-vitamin (1,3) (not Flinstones or other dyed vitamins).  Taking a probiotic daily will help build immunity to bacteria infection.  In the event you have to take an antibiotic you should definitely take a probiotic to restore the good bacteria the antibiotic destroys.
            Chiropractors also sit down and at minimum do an extended history and examination on every patient’s first visit and regular re-exams to follow through out care.  Any questions and concerns brought up at anytime can most the time be answered on any visit.  Typically a chiropractic patient becomes a healthier individual all around and over time spends a fraction on medical bills than the non-chiropractic individual.  This is due to the power of the adjustment removing interference and allowing the body to heal itself. 

Chiropractic care will help build immunity and has long-term health benefits much greater than over-the-counter and prescription drugs.   This could be the best gift you could give to yourself and your family. 

For more information check out the following books:
1. Well Adjusted Babies by Dr. Jennifer Barham-Floreani, 2009.
2. Our Daily Meds, by Melody Peterson, 2008.
3. Natural Alternatives to Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drugs by Michael Murry, 1994.