Are you interested in something that will simplify your life, provide your family with more nourishing meals, support local farms and sustain the environment?  If you think it sounds too good to be true…it’s not! 

It’s called SPUD-and there is a way I can save you money- so read on!

Spud is an environmentally conscious online grocer that delivers organic, fresh, local produce and groceries right to your door.  Many of you living in the Vancouver and Victoria area may already be familiar with Spud!, since they started in Vancouver some years ago. I was surprised to learn, however, that they also service customers in Calgary, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

We (well usually Dr Marissa) used to buy all of our groceries at Thrifty’s and with two kids into the experience.  Now with the Spud service, we pick out the products we need online at the Spud website and get them delivered to our home!  We wanted to share this service with you because it is practical, affordable and you can schedule as often as you like and determine the order value you want. It feels great to support local farmers, eat organic and save time and energy!  If you opt for Spud!’s “Fresh Harvest Box” (an assortment of fruits and vegetables), you can customize your preferences right down to the varieties of each available item.  You can also buy organic meats, nuts & seeds, gluten free breads, organic drinks, cleaning products, baby products, pet products and much much more! 

What we like is that you can create a favorites list and standing orders.  We also like that Spud stands behind all their products with the 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Because I am sending this to all of you…SPUD is offering a promotion to my blog readers!  Anyone that would like to start using SPUD delivery can sign up at www.spud.ca using the promotional info given here and will receive $25 off over your first 4 deliveries! ($5 off each of your first 3 deliveries, and $10 off your 4th) use coupon code: CR5-100011731 @ www.spud.ca

Try it… I guarantee you will love it just as much as we do!

Did you have a great Earth Day on Wednesday?  I sure did!

We were asked to be part of an Earth day event for 700 middle school kids at the Mary Winspear Centre and wow it was fun!  Check out these pictures…

This event was put on by “Creatures of Habitat” (creaturesofhabitat.ca) and the goal was to educate our youth on both environmental wellness and personal wellness.  We educated students that in the same way you can create a toxic environment, you can create a toxic body.  What really blew me away was how engaged these kids were and how much they already understood about this topic.  Our environment needs everyone’s help, and we must realize that the waste and toxicity we dump into our oceans, streams and land returns right back to us on our dinner plates.  Creating a healthier body and a healthier planet go hand in hand!

Thanks to all the other volunteers who made this day possible.  And to all the new kids who are joining our blog… keep your footprint small, keep moving, and make healthy choices for yourself and your environment… you are our hope for the future!

FACT- Every person in North America produces approximately 4.5 pounds of garbage every day.  Times that by the population of North America- that means 2.3 billion pounds of garbage a day!  If we don’t stop this, our planet will literally become TRASH.  Commit to cutting your waste by half! 

I have been following and predicting for the last 3 years that spinal decompression therapy will hit Canada like a storm…and here it is.  In assessing the various types of decompression tables available in clinics today, let me be clear on one thing… It is not the table alone that does the healing.  The most important part of the process is the doctor’s thorough analysis and carefully chosen settings for your individual case.  I will leave you with 3 points to remember.

1.  Check that the clinic doctors have been adequately trained. (Dr. Kennedy is the most thorough in the field.)  Most offices have had no training!

2.  Ensure that Flexibility, Alignment & Strength are part of the program…without these other components, decompression therapy is not as effective.

3.  Make sure there is an outcome assessment to evaluate the success of the treatment (post X-ray, CT, or MRI).

We have been successfully integrating patients into decompression therapy for almost a year and the results have been phenomenal.  Please pass the information and research below on to others who may not know about the amazing effects of decompression therapy on neck and lower back conditions.  For more information on spinal decompression visit our website at http://www.healthwithin.ca/services.html#spinalther

Special rates for New Patients until May 15th!  If you qualify for decompression treatment, we are offering your first treatment at 50% off the regular fee. 

 Scientific Research Behind Spinal Decompression

 “In a recent study of 219 patients with herniated discs and degerative disc disease, 86 per cent who completed the therapy showed immediate improvement and resolution of their symptoms; 92 per cent improved overall; five patients (two per cent) relapsed withing 90 days of initial treatment.” Glonis T, Grotecke E. Spinal Decompression.  Orth Tech Review 5(6):36-39; Nov-Dec 2003.

Lipson, in a 2004 paper in the New England Journal of Medicine states that 151,000 spinal fusions are done each year in the US. He advocates restraint because of the complications and typically modest benefits associated with surgery. The end result of surgery can be reduced mobility, stiffness, and continuing pain – “failed back syndrome”.Lipson SJ. Spinal Fusion Surgery – Advances and Concerns. N Engl J Med 350(7):643-4; Feb 2004

“Decompression therapy addresses both primary and secondary causes of low back and referred leg pain.  We thus submit that decompression therapy should be considered first, before the patient undergoes a surgical procedure which permanently alters the anatomy and function of the affected lumbar spine segment.” Eugene S, Kitchener P, Smart R. A prospective Randomised Controlled Study of VAX-D and TENS for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain. J Neuro Research 23 (7); Oct 2001

“Successful reduction of intradiscal pressure with decompression therapy represents a technological advance…”   Naguszewski R. Gose. E. Dermatomal Somatosensory Evoked Potential of Nerve Root Decompression After Vax-D Therapy. Journal Neuro Research 23 (7); Oct 2001

“We consider decompression therapy to be a primary treatment modality for low back pain associated with lumbar disc herniation at single or multiple levels, degenerative disc disease, facet arthropathy, and decreased spine mobility.  We believe that post-surgical patients with persistent pain or “failed back syndrome” should not be considered candidates for further surgery until a reasonable trial of decompression has been tried.”  Gose E, Naguszewski W, Naguszewski R. Vertebral Axial Decompression Therapy for pain associated with herniated or degenerated discs or facet syndrome: an outcome study. J Neuro research 20(4): 186-90; Apr 1998

“Disc distraction shows evidence of regenerative potential in degenerated intervertebral discs as evaluated by protein expression, magnetic resonance imaging, and messenger ribonucleic acid expression analysis.  Distraction results in disc rehydration, stimulated extracellular matrix gene expression, and increased numbers of protein-expressing cells.” Guehring T, et al.: Spine. 2006 Jul 1;31(15):1658-65

A clinical trial comparing intermittent motorized traction to spinal decompression (DRS System^®) was performed and reported in 1997. Twenty-seven men and twelve women were enrolled in the study and randomized to their appropriate group. Twenty-three had ruptured discs confirmed by MRI and 35 had sciatic radiation. Duration of symptoms was less than one year. Sixteen subjects had facet arthrosis with symptoms from one to 20 years. Subjects were blinded to treatment. In addition to the primary interventions, subjects received ice treatments, electric stimulation, and home use of TENS and three sessions with an exercise specialist. The authors state 86% of ruptured disc patients had “good or excellent” results using decompression therapy compared to 55% for traction subjects. Facet arthrosis patients had similar results with 75% improved with decompression therapy compared to 50% for traction.  Shealy N, Borgmeyer V: Decompression, reduction, and stablization of the lumbar spine: a cost effective teatment for lumbosacral pain. Am J Pain Manage 1997, 7:63-65.

A case series was performed that included 778 cases of low back pain patients that had disc dysfunction or facet syndrome confirmed by diagnostic imaging. Average duration of pain was 4 months or more in 83% of cases. Outcome measures were a 5 point pain scale and self assessment of mobility and ability to walk and sit. Patients were treated with the VAX-D unit and other concurrent, unspecified modalities and medications. Using a reduction in pain scores to 0 or 1 on a 5 point scale was considered successful.  Gose EE, Naguszewski WK, Naguszewski RK: Vertebral axial decompression therapy for pain associated with herniated or degenerated discs or facet syndrome: an outcome study. Neurol Res 1998, 20:186-190. PubMed Abstract outcome. This study claimed a 71% success rate.

This study tested the sensory nerve function on subjects with low back pain and radiculopathy. Seventeen patients were selected. A total of 22 nerves were tested due to multiple level involvement. The testing instrument used to measure outcomes was the Current Perception Threshold (CPT) Neurometer. Results of the study showed 64% returned to normal function, 27% improved, 4.5 % had no improvement and 4.5% showed deterioration. Patient outcomes were not measured in this study.  Tilaro F, Miskovich D: The effects of vertebral axial decompression on sensory nerve dysfunction in patients with low back pain and radiculopathy. Can J Clin Med 1999, 6:2-7.

This weekend, we attended a seminar given by a couple who have spent their lives travelling the world on a sailboat… and now they are helping other couples to realize their dreams.  My wife and I happen to share that dream… that one day, as a family, we will sail offshore to places that only can be reached by boat. 

This seminar got us fired up to ask you one of our favorite questions… What is the one thing you really want to do, see, or experience in your lifetime?  And what needs to happen to turn that dream into a reality?  Without a doubt, your health is a major determining factor.  Patients often come into our office for care as they are approaching retirement.  These are people that have dedicated so much of their lives to working hard and are looking to make a big shift.  Now they are ready to dive into a passion or hobby, whether it’s travelling, gardening, or hiking, only to realize that their bodies are preventing them from doing so.  The bottom line is this… the longer you ignore the proper maintenance of your body, the more difficult it becomes to repair.  Health is not a someday or a one day thing… it’s a right now, every day thing.

This year, a lady came into our office who has a dream of trekking in Nepal and Tibet. 

THIS IS MARLEE’S STORY!

“In late 2007 I was diagnosed with cancer and went through treatment (chemo and radiation) in 2008.  2009 rolled around and made me appreciate what really matters in life and how important it is to have dreams and one’s health.

I‘ve always had a dream to visit Tibet and Base Camp (Mt. Everest) and it happened.  A friend asked if I would like to join them this summer – trekking through China and Tibet?… I said – I’m in! 

Then I thought hmmmm… I have some aches and pains that I had better do something about.  Off I went to the Health Fair in Sidney and met Dr. Bentham and he seemed to know exactly where my aches and pains were coming from.  I realized that I need to get my body in shape “FAST” and the two of us are working together on getting me to Base Camp this summer and getting healthy habits back into my life.”

Dream big, maintain excellent health, live large!