For most people, ginger is just an ordinary kitchen spice. However, new research from the University of Georgia has found that it might also be a great natural pain reliever. A group of researchers compared the pain-relieving properties of raw versus cooked ginger in a group of 74 volunteers with muscle pain.

The subjects consumed capsules containing either raw or cooked ginger, or a placebo for 11 days. On day eight, they were given arm weights to lift to induce muscle inflammation and pain.

The researchers found that ginger reduced pain by 25 percent as compared to placebo. They concluded, “Daily consumption of raw and heat-treated ginger resulted in moderate-to-large reductions in muscle pain following exercise-induced muscle injury.”

Reference

Black CD, Herring MP, Hurley DJ, O’Connor PJ. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Reduces Muscle Pain Caused by Eccentric Exercise. J Pain. 2010 Apr 23. [Epub ahead of print]

Posted in Health & Wellness, Herbs/ Teas & Homeopathy, Nutrition / Detoxification, Sports / Exercise / Fitness by Tina Beychok at May 20th, 2010.

Most patients seek chiropractic care primarily for pain relief. But what is chiropractic's role in regulating our nervous system? How can aligning spinal bones affect brain messages?

Brain messages govern the thousands of functions that keep a body healthy and functioning properly. When the bones are not aligned properly the healing messages do not get from the brain to the corresponding part of the body in an efficient manner. The brain contains 100 billion active neurons that store information and transmits this information to other cells and all parts of the body by way of electrical and chemical impulses that travel along the nervous system.

“All nerves in the body connect to the brain by way of the spinal column.  If the bones of the spine are out of alignment, putting pressure on the nervous system, this disrupts vital communication between your brain and all the other parts of your body”, Dr. Dubrul explains. 

By keeping the spinal vertebrae in alignment, the spinal column can no longer interfere with proper nervous system function.  Chiropractic care is specific for each patient and designed to reposition the spinal bone in order to remove spinal column pressure and restore proper body function.

This correction allows the body to resume unrestricted flow of brain messages to the affected part of the body and begin the natural self-healing process.

There are many conditions that have responded to chiropractic care using the activator instrument including headaches, neck pain, lower back pain, knee pain and sciatica or hip pain. ADD and ADHD, depression, reflux, TMJ, arthritis, numbness, carpel tunnel and scoliosis have also been seen to improve with specific chiropractic care.

How is vertebral misalignment and nerve pressure determined? If medically necessary, precise X-rays are taken to help develop a formula for correction. There are also several signs: head tilt, restricted head movement, low shoulder, abnormal spinal curvature, pelvic distortion, bilateral body weight differences, raised hip and short leg syndromes. The treatment can be done almost immediately. 

Why Should You Take Vitamin D3? As Americans, we are chronically deficient in Vitamin D3 due to the fact that we spend most of our time in doors and out of the sun. For those who do get sun, the powers that be have scared us into lathering sunscreen on which inhibits our body’s ability to utilize the sun to make the vitamin D we so desperately need. Sunscreen with an SPF of 8, for example, reduces Vitamin D3 production by 95%. The truth of the matter, you need to supplement your diet with Vitamin D3 because you are not getting enough.  

What Diseases are Associated with Low Vitamin D3 Levels? Vitamin D3 deficiency is associated with chronic muscle and joint pain, osteoporosis, degenerative arthritis, fibromyalgia, autoimmunity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and depression. In essence, low vitamin D3 levels create sickness in your body.  

How Much Vitamin D3 Should You Take?  A good rule of thumb is to supplement with 5000 IU per day during the times of year when you are unable to get 20 to 30 minutes full sun exposure on at least your arms and legs. Remember, this is sun exposure without sunscreen. Multivitamins typically contain 400 IU of Vitamin D and do not supply adequate levels of Vitamin D3. 

Where Can You Get A High Quality Vitamin D3? You can buy Clinic Vitamin D3 at Powersource Chiropractic. The product we carry is made from the best ingredients and tested for both potency and absorbability.

Pull The "Trigger" on Your Pain

Your muscles are stressed every day. This stress causes a condition called a trigger point which weakens the muscle and can cause pain in the muscle and other areas of the body. This simple exercise will help correct the problem and maintain the muscles.

Tennis Ball Muscle Work

Transitioning to Creating Sufficiency in Your Eating Plan

1. Drink More Water than you are right now. Work to drink approximately 80 to 128 ounces per day!
2. Eat some raw vegetables or fruit with EVERY meal (fruit with breakfast)
3. Increase the amount of meals per day. Work up to 5 meals per day with breakfast or lunch being the biggest meal.
4. Add the following supplements:
   1. Fish Oils: 1 – 3 grams per day
   2. Super green drink
5. Add vegetable juice every day
6. Eat Grass Fed Meats
7. Make your own salad dressing
8. For one week, measure all your food and count calories for each food group.

The Holiday season is upon us. It is a time full of joy, cheer, parties, and family gatherings. However, for many people, particularly our homeless population, it is a time of loneliness, reflection on past failures, and anxiety about an uncertain future. It is for this reason that Dr. Scott Dubrul started the event known as Chirofeed ten years ago at the Prado Day Center, San Luis Obispo.

“The Prado Day Center ends up looking like a Macy’s Department Store,” says Paul Benson who serves as Santa Claus every year. Every homeless man, woman and child leaves with a brand new backpack, hats, gloves, socks, under garments and toiletries. And Christmas is not Christmas without a good meal to end the day. Those that attend are provided is a full course BBQ chicken dinner with beans, bread and salad and PLENTY of homemade desserts. After these attendees have a full stomach and enough Christmas presents to last the year, they partake in a raffle for bigger gifts like bicycles and gift cards. Last year Chirofeed was able to raffle off 5 bikes. A few of these winners had the opportunity to share as well by giving their bikes to even more needy attendees.  

The giving doesn’t stop there however. The doctors provide free chiropractic care and muscle therapy to help these folks relax, feel better and be healthier. 

“It has been such a blessing to be able to help these people in their time of need,” says Dr. Scott Dubrul. “It is absolutely priceless to see the looks in the kids’ eyes when they receive their gifts and know that people actually do care about them.”

Chirofeed Angels

Chirofeed is a huge undertaking.  Every year volunteer groups like Santa Margarita’s Catholic Children’s Ministry or Young Girl’s Rider’s Club come to help sort the supplies and wrap the presents.  The Hooker’s Crochet Club volunteers their time to help pass out this Christmas experience to all 300 attendees. Many just help by bringing their favorite dessert dish.

How Can You Help?

Collecting enough toys and backpacks for all who attend, let alone proper winter attire and personal items requires a lot of time and resources. 

Chirofeed 2009 needs your help this year in the form of donations, toys and time. We need at least 300 backpacks, jackets, sweaters, and enough toys to provide a full Christmas to all. Chirofeed is a non-profit organization, funded solely through donations and fund-raisers. You can help by donating any of the above items or simply volunteering your time (any donation will be tax deductible).

In a time of giving, the best gift we can give is that of our love for those who are lacking.

For information regarding this event, or how you can help, please contact Mary Dubrul at (805) 438-5529.

Dr. Dubrul Competes in World Renowned Event

San Luis Obispo, CA- On Saturday, June 27^th 2009 at 5:00 a.m. one of the most arduous organized events in the U.S., the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, began in Squaw Valley, California and ended on Sunday morning in Auburn, California.

            Dr. Dubrul of San Luis Obispo completed the 100 mile course in 28 hours and 39 minutes. He had been training for the Western States run for over two years. He was prepared to run it last summer; however the race was cancelled due to forest fires along the race route. In order to prepare for this accomplishment, his weekly race training included two shorter runs (around 10 miles in 2 hours) during the week, and one marathon-length run every weekend. He’s competed in several ultra-marathon races, but this was his first 100 mile Ultra-marathon.

            The Western States Endurance Run attracts runners from all over the world. Runners are chosen from a lottery of over 2,000 would-be competitors. This year’s race hosted approximately 440 participants, including runners from the United Kingdom, Australia, Africa, and other countries around the world. 239 competitors finished within the 30 hour time limit, with the winner finishing in 16 hours and 24 minutes. Twenty-five aid stations were available for the runners throughout the course, which follows the middle portion of the famous Western States Trail. 

Why Swine Flu Plan Should Include Chiropractic Care

San Luis Obispo, CA- On Sunday April 26, 2009, The U.S. Declared a public health emergency due to the rise in cases of the swine flu. This declaration begs the question, “What can you do to prevent the swine flu?”

            “Many people are unaware of the role chiropractic care has played in the flu epidemics of the past, especially the influenza epidemic of 1917-1918.” says Dr. Scott Dubrul. “In fact, it was due to the success of chiropractic during this time, that many states decided to give license to chiropractors.”

            Following the 1917-1918 flu epidemic, researchers reported that in Davenport, Iowa, out of the 93,590 patients treated by medical doctors, there were 6,116 deaths -- a loss of one patient out of every 15. Chiropractors at the Palmer School of Chiropractic adjusted 1,635 cases, with only one death. Outside Davenport, chiropractors in Iowa cared for 4,735 cases with only six deaths -- one out of 866. During the same epidemic, in Oklahoma, out of 3,490 flu patients under chiropractic care, there were only seven deaths. Furthermore, chiropractors were called in 233 cases given up as lost after medical treatment, and reportedly saved all but 25. In another report covering 4,193 cases by 213 chiropractors 4,104 showed complete recovery.

“It is easy to become fearful during times like these,” states Dr. Scott Dubrul. “What people need to focus on is enhancing the health of their bodies. This is done by eating well, getting adequate rest and, as shown by the statistics above, adding chiropractic care to their health care regimen. A comprehensive review of the research literature reveals the current understanding that the brain and immune system are the two major adaptive systems in the body. During an immune response, the brain and the immune system 'talk to each other' and this process is essential for maintaining homeostasis or balance in the body.”