DAILY HEALTH UPDATE: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 Dr. Jeff Allyn, Berkley Chiropractic Clinic

“Life's as kind as you let it be.” ~ Charles Bukowski

Mental Attitude: Life Experiences Promote Happiness. According to a new report, Americans are happier if they spend money on “life experiences” such as trips as opposed to spending money on material goods like designer accessories or large flat screen televisions. However, Americans still believe that material possessions provide a better value. Part of the rationale for this is that life experiences offer only memories, while people more easily recognize the actual value of material goods. Study co-author Dr. Ryan Howell explains, "We naturally associate economic value with stuff…We have a hard time estimating the economic value we would place on our memories." Journal of Positive Psychology, April 2014

Health Alert: One in Three US Children May Have High Cholesterol. Nearly one in three children in the United States have borderline or high cholesterol (200 mg/dL or more). The findings are drawn from the records of 12,712 children aged 9 to 11 who were screened for cholesterol levels during a routine physical examination. The evidence reveals a compelling reason to check all children's cholesterol levels and the importance of cholesterol-reducing interventions, such as diet and exercise, to reduce cardiovascular risks later in life. American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session, April 2014

Diet: Organic Food Does Not Reduce Cancer Risk in Women. A new study that followed over 600,000 women over a nine-year period reveals that those who ate only or mostly organic foods had the same overall chance of developing cancer as women who did not eat organic foods. British Journal of Cancer, March 2014

Exercise: Endurance Sports Make Muscles & Nerves Fit. While researchers have long known that endurance sports, like jogging, improve the condition and fitness of muscles, new research shows that these athletes also experience enhanced communication between the nervous system and those muscles. Nature Communications, April 2014

Chiropractic: Collaboration Between Chiropractic & Dentistry Successfully Treats TMJ Dysfunction. This case-study involves co-management of a 38-year-old female patient with temporomandibular (TMJ) dysfunction, headaches, and myalgia (muscle pain). The patient was managed with an anterior repositioning splint from a dentist while she received chiropractic care on her neck along with manual manipulation of the TMJ and soft tissue techniques applied intraorally. After six treatments over a three-week period, the patient demonstrated increased mouth opening, decreased pain, and improve neck range of motion. The finding supports a multidisciplinary approach to the management of TMJ. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, March 2014

Wellness/Prevention: Is Dementia Risk Declining? Swedish researches report that over the past two decades, a person's risk of being diagnosed with dementia has declined. Their data shows better treatment for cardiovascular disease may play a role in the decline, as cardiovascular disease is a leading risk factor for dementia. According to study author Dr. Laura Fratiglioni, "The reduction of dementia risk is a positive phenomenon, but it is important to remember that the number of people with dementia will continue to rise along with the increase in life expectancy and absolute numbers of people over age 75… This means that the societal burden of dementia and the need for medical and social services will continue to increase. Today there's no way to cure patients who have dementia. Instead we must continue to improve health care and prevention in this area."   Neurology, May 2013

For More Information on Back Pain, Neck Pain, Headaches, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Whiplash, and To Sign Up For Our Daily Health Update Emails, Go To:www.DrJeffAllynBlog.com or our website at:www.berkleychiropracticclinic.com 

(This information is brought to you in conjunction with www.Chiro-Trust.org, it is solely advisory and should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.)