By now, everyone’s seen the news about the Fungal Meningitis “outbreak” in the US. What’s only recently coming to light is how all these people became infected, and what the source is.  According to the CDC, over 13,000 people were injected with a drug called preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (we’ll call it PFMA for short). This is a steroid that’s injected into the body to relieve pain. It is most commonly injected into the spine for low back pain, but has also been used on other joints (knees, shoulders, etc.).  So far, the only people who have died are people who’ve been injected in their spine. 

So what makes this so dangerous?  Meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. In these cases, infected PFMA was injected directly into the spinal cord and was able to travel up to the brain.  If the people getting the injection had weakened immune systems due to illness, or antibiotic use, their bodies may not be able to fight off the fungal infection, causing swelling in and around the brain.  So far, at least 14 people have died and many more are very ill.  Several have even had strokes as a result of the meningitis. One compounding factor is that steroids by their nature decrease your immune system’s ability to fight off infection. So people are directly exposed to a fungus and an immune suppressant all at the same time.

What are the symptoms? Many people experience fever, headache, nausea and vomiting and think they have the flu. But, other symptoms include stiff neck, sensitivity to light (and possibly sound) and altered mental state. The only way to definitively diagnose meningitis is with a spinal tap. That’s where the doctor takes a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid from around the spinal cord and has it tested.

How is it treated? Most cases are treated with multiple, long courses of antifungal medications given intravenously in a hospital. How many courses a person requires depends on their immune system health and the type of fungus causing the infection.

Is there a way to prevent fungal meningitis? Yes and no.  Fungal Meningitis is not typically caused by any particular activity, but by being around an airborn fungus and having a weakened or altered immune system.  In this “outbreak” the only way to have prevented exposure was not to get the injection.

Is there another way to deal with back pain without an injection?  Absolutely!  Some people find relief through over the counter or prescription medication, although, those come with their own side effects. Others use Acupuncture or natural remedies to treat the symptoms. Many cases of back pain are caused by the vertebrae in the low back or hips being out of alignment, or by muscle spasms in the low back.  These are conditions that can be treated by a licensed Chiropractor and a Certified Massage Therapist. Chiropractic and Massage Therapy are non-invasive techniques to relax the muscles and re-align the spine.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/outbreaks/meningitis.html
http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/fungal.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungal_Meningitis#Fungal_meningitis

Plantar Fasciitis affects approximately 2 million Americans a year.  Typical symptoms include pain upon standing, especially with the first steps of the day, heel pain, decreased range of motion, and even knee pain. 

Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, the connective tissue that runs the length of the bottom of the foot, and is usually caused by standing for long periods of time.  If left untreated, bone spurs can form at the attachment point of the fascia on the heel.  The bone spurs are typically what cause the heel pain. 

There are many treatments for Plantar Fasciitis, including Massage, rest, Heat therapy, orthodics, anti-inflammatories, and as a last resort, surgery.  Unfortunately none of these address the cause of the fasciitis. 

The "keystone" of the foot is the Talus bone.  When the talus is in place, the bones in the foot stay in alignment.  If the talus shifts out of place, the rest of the bones in the foot can move.  Frequently, when the talus shifts, the calcaneus (heel bone) also shifts.  When the calcaneus moves, it pulls the plantar fascia tight across the bottom of your foot.  Then, as you walk, the weight of your body on the pulled fascia causes pain. 

A Chiropractor trained in extremities adjusting can adjust the bones in your ankle and foot to return the talus and calcaneus to their original positions, taking the pressure off of the plantar fascia.  When the fascia is no longer stretched, the pain goes away.

I think I did pretty well yesterday.  Started getting hungry about an hour and a half after each "meal", but didn't get really hungry till about 3 hours after.  So, I think 2-2 1/2 hours is a good amount of time in between.  So far no tiredness, just a little mental clouding (that could also have to do with getting up at 6am!).  I've also noticed that my blood sugar isn't spiking, and I'm not the ravenous, rampaging beast I was afraid I might be. The hardest part is being around people eating, cause it all smells so good! 

Off to the store today to find some beets and other foods to try.  I've read in a couple places that you really need to vary your fruits and veggies to make sure you're getting enough of all your nutrients.  I'm also tracking down some Spirulina, as it's a fantastic source of protein, as well as so many vitamins and minerals.

The blog will get updated throughout the day, so keep coming back to check my progress!

Lunch was late today due to clients in the office.  The juicer sounds like a jet engine on takeoff... not the most relaxing sound in the world!  Lunch was a straight veggie mix, since I need to get used to less sweet flavors:
2 carrots
1 cucumber (peeled)
6 mini sweet peppers
3 stalks of celery
1 lime (it really brightens up a juice!)

I started getting light headed mid afternoon, which surprised me.  I was very busy today, more so than I expected to be, and I may not have gotten in enough calories.  Dinner I tried adding beet...  Will have to add that in smaller amounts next time.  Beets taste like grass to me.  I also realized at some point today that I hadn't been drinking any water with my juice and wonder if that may also be the cause for some of the light headedness. 

After watching Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, I've decided to do a 10 day juice fast.  I figure it's a great way to cleanse the system, get a jump start on my healthier life, and maybe even a good way to drop a couple pounds.  I also thought I'd blog about my progress, any ups or downs, tips, and good recipes that I find along the way. So, here goes!
Breakfast today was supposed to be a carrot, cucumber, lime combination which sounded great!  Then, I realized I'm out of cucumber... So, I swapped the cucumber for celery and added a pear for extra sweetness.  Turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself.  I'm still eager to try the carrot, cucumber, lime combo, so I'm hitting the grocery store this afternoon.  Here's the recipe (with my modifications):

2-3 carrots (depending on size)
3 stalks of celery
1 pear
1/2 lime

It turned out pretty well, although it's not a large amount of juice (about 20 ounces).  I think an extra pear would've helped - that flavor got lost among the other 3.  So, more experimentation, and another recipe for lunch!

Lunch juice - A new favorite!!
2 cups watermelon
3 apples (I did 2 Rome, 1 Granny Smith)
1/2 Lime

I can get about 2 hours on a glass of juice before I start getting really hungry again.  So my mid-afternoon snack is:
3 lettuce leaves
2 carrots
2 apples
6 strawberries
Result?  Should've added more strawberry!  The lettuce flavor came through a bit strong.  And one of the best ways to introduce a new juicing element, is mixed in with more palatable flavors.  Will have to re-vamp that one :)

Dinner was a big batch, since my juicer is at work, I wanted to make sure I brought enough home with me.
3 carrots
1 cucumber (peeled)
5 celery stalks
3 apples
1 lime
I ended up with about 32 ounces of juice, which was just about right!  Even had a little left over to get me through this morning (day 2) till I could get to work and juice.  Stay tuned!

    Spring is one of the worst times of year for allergy sufferers.  Many different plants start blooming, and pollen counts are high.  Added to that, the weather is warming up and people are starting to open windows in their homes, allowing more allergens in.

    Allergies are caused by the body's over reaction to normally harmless substances in the environment.  They typically cause reactions like red, itchy eyes; stuffy or runny nose; sore, scratchy throat; hay fever, or even hives and are also linked with asthma. 

    Common allergens (the particles that cause the allergic response) are pollen, grass, dust, mold/mildew, animal dander, scents/perfumes, insect bites/stings, dyes, food, and medications.
   
    Most allergy sufferers try a variety of remedies to alleviate the symptoms: over the counter medications, nasal rinses, or homeopathic remedies.  For more severe cases, they may try steroids, or epinephrine (Epi-Pen).

So, what does this have to do with Chiropractic? 

    Current research shows that there is a direct link between the nervous system and the immune system. So, when Chiropractors remove nerve interference through adjustments, it allows the immune system to work optimally.  Your immune system helps to prevent disease and infection, deal with stress, and promote overall well being. 

    So, the next time you sneeze, head to your Chiropractor.  They can help you fight allergies more effectively and with less medication!

    Do you have knee pain that won’t go away?  Wrist pain that limits your ability to perform daily tasks?  Do you have Tennis Elbow?  If so, you might be a good candidate for a Chiropractic adjustment.  A trained Chiropractor can check your knees, ankles, wrists and elbows to determine if a bone has misaligned or if your problem is muscular. She can also check for conditions like TMJ, Carpal Tunnel, Plantar Fascitis, Frozen Shoulder, Winged Scapula and Tennis Elbow. 

     Just like the bones in your spine, the bones in your extremities (the parts of our body from our shoulders to our hands and from our legs to our feet) can shift slightly out of place. As a result, you may feel pain, numbness, tingling, aching, or stiffness at the joint.  You may also notice swelling at the joint.  The causes of joint pain may be activity related (sports, moving heavy furniture, twisting, throwing, etc.) or repetitive motion related (typing on a computer, factory work, etc).  You can also suffer a direct trauma to a joint. 
 
    Traditionally, the treatment for extremity injuries is splinting a joint, physical therapy, pain medications, steroid injections, or surgery.  These treatments may help alleviate some of the symptoms, but, ultimately, will not fix the cause of the problem. 
      

    A trained chiropractor can restore joint mobility without medication, and can reduce pain without the use of pain relievers.  Chiropractic can also help with repetitive motion injuries by keeping the joints mobile and free of swelling.  It can also help restore proper blood flow, reduce scar tissue and speed the healing process.  Chiropractic may also slow the progression of some types of Arthritis.

    I utilize the Gonstead Technique: a low-force, gentle style of adjusting that does not involve any rotational or “twisty” moves.  I utilize the same technique for adjusting the extremities.  Every patient is examined to determine where the problem is, and how to fix it.  Specific adjusting is done to the joint or bone that is misaligned.  Most patients notice a reduction in pain immediately, and many end up with better range of motion and strength than before the injury occurred. 

    It is important that your Chiropractor have additional training with extremities adjusting to insure you are receiving the most comprehensive care for your injury.  Many patients see additional benefit from combining Chiropractic adjustments with Massage Therapy or Physical Therapy.  With the proper care, your extremity pain can be relieved quickly.   

    I happily provide free consultations to people wondering if Chiropractic is the right treatment for their pain. 

Dr. Rachel Heneberry