Health & Wellness with Dr. Greg

What a way to start the new year;  I go down to the mailbox and pull out the latest TIME magazine and  see read the cover. I was in total amazement with what I read-  “WHY YOUR DNA ISN’T YOUR DESTINY”. The subtitle read- “The new science of epigenetics reveals how the choices you make can change your genes- and those of your kids”.  I thought to myself, finally the truth is emerging. The truth about how manipulating DNA is preposterous and there is more to science than just manipulating our bodies and its components. I first learned about epigenetics and the folly of manipulating our genes from Dr Bruce Lipton, PhD.. He discussed many years ago how something on the outside of  our DNA determines what genes will be expressed and what genes won’t be expressed. The example he gave was likening our DNA to our arm and the epigenetics were likened to our shirt sleeve. You pull the shirt sleeve up and the arm becomes exposed. The article written by John  Cloud recognized that our choices in life (our habits - smoking, how much we eat, etc), creates a dynamic where the surrounding material around our DNA responds. This in turn determines which DNA will be expressed. The article did a good job in explaining how our choices in life actually influence not only our DNA expression but the genetic expression in our children.  Current thinking by many is that all our problems are because of our faulty genes- obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, emotional problems. You name the disorder and if we could find the related gene and manipulate it we could change the problem. With this article I am thinking science is really going to support the point I learned in chiropractic college. We need to focus on cause not effects. The problem isn’t with our genes. The problem is with our choices. Awesome! Change your thoughts, what you eat and how you move and you can have a healthier genetic expression. Instead of following this line of thinking and empowering the reader to make healthier choices -the author takes us on the journey of more of the same old story-manipulate nature-this time our epigenetics. Let’s not encourage healthier habits. Let’s look for shortcuts to cover up our less than positive choices. I can only hope that as science continues to carve up our body into smaller pieces they will come to the next doorway. The doorway that leads to who and what we really are-which isn’t material or physical- and wasn’t created by man and our so called modern science.

It all started on September 18th 1895 when a man named David Daniel Palmer laid his hands on Harvey Lillard. Harvey a colored janitor, lost his hearing earlier in life. He had mentioned to DD Palmer that he had bent over and heard a pop in his back and shortly afterward lost his hearing. DD was a common man. Self-taught and a magnetic healer at the time, he postulated applying a force into Harvey’s spine with the intention of correcting a deranged vertebra- or spinal bone. The rest is history as they say! Harvey went on to regain his hearing and Chiropractic was born. With a slight twist-no pun intended… DD thought he had discovered the cure for deafness- until his next adjustment helped a person with a heart condition. Quickly DD realized that this was bigger than curing deafness and heart problems. This was the secret to sooo much more. Eventually the theory was developed that the brain, spinal cord and nerves transmitted energy-life force- an expression of the inner wisdom we call Innate Intelligence! So today is a day we acknowledge our forefathers of chiropractic. With gratitude for all their efforts- we wish them and chiropractic-the world’s largest natural health profession- a Happy Birthday!

On our recent family trip to Orlando we spent some good time re-uniting with family. As a family we visited different parks and one of our favorites… Sea World. Surviving the “Shamu Splash” -the equivalent of 1000 super soaker water toys going off at the same time- was a thrill for my kids and my wife. My wife, after being completely drenched turned to me  (I wasn’t hiding- really, I choose to sit higher up with my father-in-law in the handicapped seating area); She was jumping with excitement, showing how she had just survived the Tsunami. She would later spend the next couple hours dripdrying in the humid Florida air.

Our favorite ride-the newest, the latest and greatest: the Manta. Shaped like a Manta ray- what looks like one of the scariest roller coasters- because you are upside down almost the entire time-was one of the most entertaining. I being a chiropractor, appreciated the smoothness of the ride. It had all the twists and turns you would expect in a roller coaster-except that it was not jolting and damaging to my spine. Proof that “they” can create a ride that is fun -I rode it 3 consecutive times. Let’s compare this to the opposite experience discovered at Islands of Adventure at Universal  Studios. The best thing about this ride is how quickly it ended-which is also the problem. I have never gotten off a ride and had my head hurt.  The ride didn’t seem too rough but when going at such high speeds combined with the sharp twists and turns-I must have had my head banging on the insides and didn’t even notice. I also did my best to resisit the tremendous compressive forces exerting down my spine. Now I know I am not as young as I used to be, but I couldn’t believe my head hurting was a sign of aging. I figured I would perform a quick poll on the younger population and fellow coaster enthusiasts to see if they had any problems. Everyone of these young up and comings (teenagers) experienced neck pains, stiffness and head aches. Obviously this ride did not receive high marks. I think this ride was appropraitely named the Hulk because of the damage it inflicts upon people. Beware! Should you crave suffering like  head pains, neck stiffness, dizziness, or nausea-enjoy.  I smart move would be to make sure you’re well adjusted before and after encountering this Hulk!

So many wonderful changes our staff get to see each and every day. So many blessings to experience when our bodies are in harmony. Minutes ago I was relaying the wonderful response my nephew had with his adjustment to a young lady approaching 70 yrs.  She had remarked that she too had felt her spirit lifted since beginning care with us. She mentioned that her husband had been killed on his motorcycle 2 yrs ago. She had been depressed and not at peace ever since- even considered suicide. Taking along list of meds-she wanted a different way. A low back pain gave her a reason to come in and get help (so many of us have not been raised to get checked for subluxations, rather we get checked when we have symptoms- and often when our ‘body talk’, or symptoms just won’t go away). Anyway, in a short time this sweat slow moving depressed woman remarked how she felt peace in her soul since getting adjusted. Today she mentioned how she was no longer depressed and anxious. She is moving with greater energy. She says she has found a new home in our office. I welcomed her to our family and her new home. In addition she is sharing the message of what we do with others in her community, bringing them to our workshops. This is what you call paying it forward. Not just improving your life but sharing the principles of life with others and giving them a chance to improve their lives. This is how we improve the health and wellness of our community! Good news!!

Vacation is over and it’s time to get back to work. These next few blogs, I will be sharing some interesting observations from my recent family get together in Orlando Florida. First our timing was good. I heard it rained-rather downpoured for 5 wks just prior to our arrival. Although being from Arizona where we jump for joy when we see a cloud let alone rain- it was nice to enjoy doing many things in our mostly rain-free time in Florida.

Our first day after arrival, our caravan headed out to a track meet. Their we would find my nephew competing in the pole vault event. This track meet was composed of many young great athletes from all over the southeast. My nephew, inspite of being one of the youngest in his bracket, and just plain short compared to the other competitors- was not feeling particularly well on this occassion. Apparently he might have eaten something that didn’t sit well with his stomach or he had the stomach flu. Either way he had been having problems for a few days.  With him being weak, nauseated and not looking forward to having to compete -we all had alittle let down since we had all come looking to see and find greatness.  I of course thought about all the great athletes that get adjusted to assist them in their performances and thought that my nephew should be checked for subluxations. What if his body -if needing- could get adjusted. How would this help him in his recovery let alone in his performance?  Long story short, I found his hip was out of alignment, his rt leg was shorter than the left; his thoracic spine-the area that goes to his digestive stomach was out of alignment and stressed and his upper neck had vertebrae not moving appropriately. Wow! It’s amazing he had done so well as an athlete up until now. What if we could adjust his spine? How much difference would it make. Well of course helping him win wasn’t on my mind  (well alright, maybe alittle). My biggest belief was he would naturally fulfill his God-given potential, whatever that is supposed to be, with a good nerve supply rather than a bad one.

Just as we got on the field to check his spine he was being called for his turn. His first attempt did not go well and all our hearts fell in empathy. With not much time to go for his second attempt- I quickly made a few adjustments and…  he felt good to go. I knew he had a much better chance now with his spine in better alignment. How could he do otherwise now that his joints, bones, nerves and of course his brain could function better. Well to our amazement his next pole vault was a “PB”.  In the athletic world that means it was his “personal best”. It was truly amazing to be a part of something so dramatic and transformational. One minute my young little nephew was too sick to compete and  not wanting to be there. The next minute he is breaking his own record. 

My young little nephew didn’t go on to win any championships that day but he overcame a personal obstacle and made us all proud.

I firmly believe that the power that created us heals us, maintains us. It motivates, animates, and creates. This power flows through our nerve system to each and every cell in our body. Without it we lead lives that are second rate. Subluxations interfer with the expression of life. Getting adjusted removes sublxuations and the interference to life expression. It’s a simple concept, one that can add length to your pole vaulting and length to the track event called “Life”!

According to author Dr David Seaman, inflammatory diets are a major contributing factor to many of our modern ills in society today. Inflammatory foods are generally foods with refined flour products, refined sugars, refined oils and fatty meats. These foods cause internal irritation to our bodies and are believed to promote heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimers, osteoporosis,high blood pressure, asthma, depression, irritable bowel disease and even cancer.

Foods that fight inflammation- and support a healthy body are…. you guessed it- fruits and vegetables. Also good choices are lean meats ( ie animals that are grassed fed) and wild fish (ie salmon that is not farm raised).

Dr Seaman recommends a number of supplements to fight inflammation and promote antioxidation. His top picks are Vit D, a multivitamin/mineral without iron, fish oil, magnesium, and probiotics.

I’ve been incorporating a good omega 3 oil along with probiotics and a good source of powdered greens (with the equivalent of 10 servings of fruits and veges) daily for years now. With the raw Arizona sun for my vitamin D, my passion of giving and receiving light and adjustments along with daily  walks in nature with my wife…. Life is good. Each one of the above has significantly increased the quality of my life, the life of my family and many of my clients’ lives.

I figure we either invest in wellness early in our life or we are going to increase the odds of spending  a boat load of our investment later on trying to get well. Plus our quality as a human being is affected.  How we function, think and act has alot to do with our health and how we feel. There is no better investment than our own health and the health of our bodies. I will a share a related story about this next time. Till then, be well and do good things!

I consider many chiropractors I know heros because they are at the front line in health and wellness - making a positive impact in the lives of many. Dr J  is one of those special people that is making the world a better place  through his thoughts and deeds and adjustments. He’s also a pretty good basketball player for a guy gravitationally challenged. Well, I received an email from his wife saying he had been involved in a hit run car accident. A  guy in a stolen car running from the cops rammed in to Dr J’s car striking him on the drivers side.

Heading over to the ICU at the hospital I was not sure what to expect. I heard he had multiple fractures on the left side of his body, problems with his lungs, a ruptured organ, fluid buildup and a general lack of stability. Upon meeting his wife and mother-both bright beautiful people-I couldn’t help but notice a good vibration around the good doctor. In the past I have made many visits to ICU’s and sometimes you can cut the tension with a knife. For whatever reason-all the love, caring and prayers may have contributed to make for a more positive environment. Although his condition at present is unstable, I felt encouraged with the subtle signs of  goodness I experienced. Eventhough Dr. J is down he is not out.  His light will return again - to shine and do good in the world and- to whip my non-gravitationally challenged butt on the hot basketball courts of Phoenix.

The Swine Flu pandemic hysteria has seemed to run its course and is no longer a leading story.  What can we learn from this scare?  The world of microbes is alive and well. Bugs we can’t see are all around us and many are necessary for our existence. Human thinking is that bugs are bad and we need to be in fear of them. We need to kill them off. We use pesticides, insecticides and fungicides to kill bugs in “outer” nature and antibiotics to kill bugs in our inner nature (inside our bodies). This is man’s supposed superiority over nature. If there is one thing I have learned in observing nature as it pertains to our health care- nature wins out in the end.  There era of indiscriminate use of drugs and antibiotics is over! Note the birth of SUPERBUGS. Anything we do to overpower and kill microorganisms (ie. bacteria,viruses,etc) results in an organism that resists,mutates and grows stronger than its predecessor.

With responses like this, sounds like these bugs are not as stupid as we think. In fact they are smarter, wiser and more resourceful than our greatest minds. Yes there once was a time when we were winning the war against bugs but now the tide has changed. Eventually nature wins out. Perhaps we need a new strategy; a new way of thinking; a new way of acting. This “new way”  would begin to explore the cause of why nature, in this case the microorganisms are infecting people. Why now? Perhaps there is some disorder in our ecosystem, our way of doing things, our way of living in harmony with nature. If we don’t correct the disorder where it exists, then all that results will be an increase in problems with a change in the name of the disease or disorder.

On thing I can pretty much guarantee-2 approaches will be exercised. One, Big Pharma will have a vaccine coming out next year. Big money will be made. By that time the ‘bad bugs’ will have evolved-becoming opportunistic and stronger. Two, smart humans will look to increase the strength of their spirit, mind and bodies - so that by next season they - “we”-will be healthier, happier and more in harmony with nature. To get started have a goal and practice of purifying your spirits, minds and bodies. (Disease can’t exist in an environment that is pure and sufficient in resources.) A lifestyle of thinking good thoughts; being of service to others; putting good pure things into our bodies; time for exercise, rest and restoration; and making sure you have a good nerve supply to all the parts of your body.

Just DYB (do your best) and get started today -so that we will be in time to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Interesting story relayed to me by a client after receiving adjustments for about a month. She mentioned how she had lived in another state prior to coming to Phoenix. Even though she lived there for quite some time she didn’t know much about it. Why? Because she never went anywhere. Why? She said she was afraid. She said she was acting the same way living in Arizona-until-she started receiving adjustments. Funny thing- after she began receiving adjustments she noticed herself driving to places she hadn’t been before; becoming more adventurous; taking different routes and streets to places she had never been before.

Sometimes we don’t notice our changes right away because they happen slowly. Then one day we wake up and do something and realize we are doing things alittle differently; or in this persons case we are doing things we have never done before. This is personal evolution and one of the benefits I have personally experienced in myself and noticed in many others. When we are well adjusted, our lives are not stagnant but change, evolve, are dynamic. It’s refreshing and renewing to get adjusted and one of the biggest secrets to good health. Your body has great potential and ability for health and healing. If your stuck in a rut it may be time for a spinal tune-up! Keep in the flow and see what streets you start going down.

Have you ever got into your car and noticed your windshield was dirty? I have noticed my spotty windshield for a couple days now. You know the kind- dried dead bug splat (how does it dry within a split second anyway-and it wasn’t even a 100 degrees yet), other finer dots and smudges of unknown origin, etc. When I first get in my car,the dirt is more obvious. As I begin driving I quickly forget about the dirt on my windshield-in fact I don’t even see it.  The next time I may notice it is when I once again sit down in my car- before I  begin driving. Isn’t it amazing how when I’m driving I don’t notice my windshield-unless of course a bug decides to fly a suicide mission right into my windshield. Then my attention for a split second goes to my windshield (if I kept my attention on my windshield for too long I  may run into someone ahead of me). 

I find something similar to people  and their bodies. Often people will come in with a complaint-let’s say lower back pain. I will do a complete chiropractic evaluation and find a problem (subluxation- a term when our spine is out of proper alignment and interfers with the flow of energy/information between the brain and a part of our body) in a place the person didn’t report or even know of. In this example, let’s say I  found an additional problem in the neck. Because everything is connected it is possible the lower back pain is related to the condition in the neck-a condition the client wouldn’t have even know about unless there was an awareness. In this case - a symptom.  Symptoms or pain for many people is like an annoying bug buzzing around-distracting us from enjoying life or getting something done. If this pain could talk what would it say?

If my  windshield could talk it would probably say “clean me”. Of course I will push the button and out comes the cleaning solution. Sometimes it cleans better than other times ( I guess it depends on the chemical composition of the dead bug). But what if my windshield could talk? What if I refused to listen and just go about my day? At the very least- my windshield would get dirtier wouldn’t it?  Let’s say I have a high tolerance for dirt and I am not so easily swayed by the mounting blotches and dead bug remains. In fact, instead of driving my car in the daylight (which illuminates or exposes my dirty windshield), I decide to drive my car only at night-or on overcast days.

This is how many of us unknowingly care for our bodies. It’s not till we have built up so much stress, distorting our posture and life line (a.k.a. spinal chord), blocking out our bodies many cries for help that finally a symptom is too big or too annoying to ignore.  We are definately experts in not listening to our own bodies. We keep our lives jammed with one thing after another; or if we do get a ’symptom’ we reach for Big Pharma’s special chemical concoction-not considering what message our body maybe trying to communicate to us.

What’s really cool is-and when  it’s not too late- a symptom-or even better- a spinal adjustment refocuses our attention. A refocus to the windshield called our body. So much of our attention is outside our bodies. So the times we get a spinal  adjustment (or for some people on some occassions, a symptom) it is a time we may see, hear or feel things we didn’t know about. This is one way and practice of staying healthy. In life we are going to come into contact with bugs-or symptoms. Our windshield-or body is going to require our attention. The question becomes- do we love ourself enough to have a daily,weekly or monthly practice of checking in on our bodies without the mounting presence of symptoms? The gentle form of chiropractic I offer (and receive) is one such practice. Next time I will go over some things that have resulted due to a better connection achieved thru this practice. Till then -enjoy your windshield!

Need some help? Email or call for me for suggestions.

(chiropractic, etc) -o ch