What is Whiplash? July 2012

WHAT IS WHIPLASH?
 July 2012

Hi Everybody Dr. Norris here.  I hope you and your family are well.  It is hard to believe we are going into the second half of 2012 already.  This month I want to tell you about injuries from auto accidents and give you some advise on how to cope with them.  So here we go.

Insurance statistics show that if we drive we will have an accident every seven years.  The most common injury from an auto accident is whiplash.  This type of injury was first identified in pilots who were injuring their necks while landing planes on aircraft carriers.  Their heads were snapped forward and back as they came to a sudden stop.  That is the same mechanism of injury in an auto accident.  When a vehicle is struck the occupants are jolted towards the impact.  Unfortunately the neck and upper back receive most of the force.

Simply put whiplash is a sprain/strain of the cervical spine and associated soft tissues.  Because ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves can be damaged symptoms can vary widely. Most common symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headache, shoulder pain/stiffness, dizziness, fatigue, jaw pain, arm pain, arm weakness, visual disturbances, ringing ear noises, and sometimes back pain.  The most effective initial treatment is rest, ice and pain therapy.  Because the bones of the neck fit together like a jigsaw puzzle there is not much room for error.  Even a slight misalignment can produce significant symptoms.  After the first few days of rest and therapy, spinal manipulation is the only way to put the spine back in place. Eventually exercises will help to strengthen and stabilize the injured area.

Some studies have concluded that this type of spinal injury can take up to 12 months to fully heal.  In my experience most treatment takes 2-4 months depending on the severity of the injuries.  The sooner treatment starts the faster and better you will heal.

Please be careful out on the highways… but if an accident happens don’t hesitate to call me for an evaluation.  I work with several competent attorneys who can help you if necessary.

Have a great summer. Thanks for trusting your health to us at Norris Chiropractic.

Dr. Michael Norris

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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We only have today. Let us begin." ~Mother Teresa

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

April 2012
 
Dear Patients and Friends,
Hello Dr. Norris Here.
 
Because of recent negative publicity our government has generated, a certain country has decided to take things into their own hands. Here is a recent correspondence sent to our State Department.
 
To the citizens of the United States of America from Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II:

In light of your immediate failure to financially manage yourselves and also in recent years your tendency to elect incompetent leaders in the USA and therefore not able to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately.

Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas, which she does not fancy). Your new Queen, will appoint a Governor for America without the need for further elections.  Please note Sir Elton John is the top candidate.  Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated sometime next year to determine whether any of you noticed.

To aid in the transition to a British Crown dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:

1. The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'colour,' 'favour,' 'labour' and 'neighbour.' Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half the letters.  Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels.

2. Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as 'like' and 'you know' is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication.
 
3. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.

4. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not quite ready to be independent. Guns should only be used for shooting grouse. If you can't sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist, then you're not ready to shoot grouse.

5. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. Although, a permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

6. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left side with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables.
 
7. The former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling gasoline) of roughly $10/US gallon. Get used to it.

8. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with catsup but with vinegar.

9. The cold, tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager.

10. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters.

11. You will cease playing American football. There are only two kinds of proper football; one you call soccer, and rugby. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full Kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies).

12. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the World Series for a game which is not played outside of America. You will learn cricket.

13. You must tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us mad.

14. An internal revenue agent from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776).

15. Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 p.m. with proper cups, with saucers, and never mugs, with high quality biscuits (cookies) and cakes.

God Save the Queen!
 
Uh… you know... like… get real… April Fools! 

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HEALTH UPDATE

Following an injury you should use a cold pack for the first 48 hours to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.  After 48 hours it is OK to use a heat pack for reducing spasm.  If you use heat on a fresh injury there will be increased bleeding, which slows healing and recovery.  So if in doubt… use a cold pack.
American Red Cross.

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QUOTE OF THE MONTH

 "Well done is better than well said." ~Ben Franklin

“WHY DO I HAVE SPINE PAIN?”

March 2012

Hi Everybody,

Dr. Norris here. The most common question I get is “Why do I have pain?” So this month’s newsletter will attempt to answer the question.

Spinal pain sends more patients to doctors than any condition other than the common cold. It’s the fifth most common reason for hospitalizations and third most common cause of surgery. And 56% of people with backaches say symptoms disrupt their daily routines. Talk about a pain in the...back.

There are many possible causes of spine pain. Trauma such as falls, twists and muscle pulls account for the most common reasons. But everyday habits can take a big toll on your neck and back over time. Here are the top 10 mistakes people make that may be causing aches and how to correct them.

1. Too Much Sitting.

Did you know that sitting puts 40% more pressure on your spine than standing? We sit while driving to and from work. Many of us sit while at work. Then when we get home we sit at the computer or watch TV… while sitting. The longer we sit the more muscles will weaken and shorten. How to fix it: Sitting at a 135-degree angle can reduce compression of the discs in the spine, so lean back slightly every now and then. Make sure your office chair supports the curve of your spine. Your lower back should be supported, and your head should be straight—not lurching forward—when you look at your computer screen. Get up and walk around for a couple of minutes every half hour—take trips to get water, use the bathroom, or grab papers off the printer. Set a timer to signal you after an hour so you won’t forget.

2. You're Not Working Out.

Get moving to alleviate aches and pains and fix spine pain faster. New research shows that 40% of people become less active after pain strikes—a strategy that's likely to delay healing or even make their condition worse. How to fix it: In fact, most sufferers would benefit from more exercise—particularly frequent walks, which ease stiffness. For instant relief, I recommend stretching your hamstrings, hips and shoulders. Moves like these will take some strain off your spine.

3. You’re Workout Is Hurting You.

Do you routinely get a sore neck or back after even a gentle workout? You may need to reassess your activities. Muscle imbalance, improper technique or too much of one type of exercise can cause problems. How to fix it: You don’t have to ditch your workout entirely, but you should use proper form. Check with those who know how and get advice. Worse case… if it hurts don’t do it.

4. You Don’t Stretch Enough

By improving circulation and lowering stress, just about any kind of exercise promotes pain recovery. Stretches often ease pain faster than conventional exercises. Because stretches promote rhythmic breathing and relaxation, it reduces structural triggers of spine pain. How to fix it: You can find stretching classes everywhere—at gyms, YMCAs, and local studios. Make sure to tell the instructor about your pain so she can help modify certain moves for you.

5. You’re Not The Healthiest Eater

Research shows that eating habits that are good for your heart, weight, and blood sugar are also good for your spine. Healthy circulation brings nutrients to the spine and removes waste. If this doesn’t happen, inflammation can result, and inflammatory chemicals in the soft tissues can trigger nerves to send pain signals to the brain. How to fix it: A spine-healthy diet is one that reduces inflammation, according to The Truth about Back Pain. The book’s plan advises avoiding excess caffeine and processed foods, and eating more whole grains, soy, nuts and seeds, protein (chicken, fish, lean meat), vegetables, and fruit.

6. You Carry Your Entire Life In Your Purse Or Wallet.

A stuffed-to-the-gills handbag or wallet may cause back damage that’s comparable to a sports injury! When you tote a heavy bag, your shoulders become imbalanced. A thick wallet elevates your hip when sitting. This throws your spine off-kilter. Doing this every day can cause back muscles to ache over time. How to fix it: First, carry the lightest bag possible. (Some of today’s styles—with chains, studs, and other hardware—are heavy even when empty!) Alternate which shoulder you carry the bag with from day to day. Thin your wallet and/or carry it in your front pocket.

7. Your Mattress Is From Another Decade

Can’t remember the last time you replaced it? Your back may be in trouble. A good mattress lasts 9 to 10 years, according to the National Sleep Foundation, but consider replacing yours every 5 to 7 years if you don't sleep well or your back throbs. A study at Oklahoma State University found that most people who switched to new bedding after 5 years slept significantly better and had less back pain. How to fix it: When you do replace your mattress, take a Goldilocks approach: Try various kinds soft to hard. To help ease nighttime discomfort even more, tuck a pillow under your knees if you sleep on your back, between your knees if you're a side sleeper, or beneath your stomach and hips if you snooze on your belly.

8. You Have A Thing For High Heels

Or flip-flops. Both lead to foot instability, which can in turn affect your back. High heels force you to arch your back, making your spinal muscles work harder. Backless shoes like sandals cause your feet to move from side to side, which distributes your body weight unevenly and can cause pain. How to fix it: You don’t have to forgo trendy footwear—just don’t walk long distances in them. Commute in comfy flats or supportive sneakers, and consider adding cushioning inserts to uncomfy shoes. When researchers gave back-pain sufferers lightweight, flexible shoes with simple cushions, 80% reported significant relief within a year.

9. Stress- You Don’t Veg Out Enough

It’s not all in your head—chronic or acute stress can directly trigger spine pain. When you’re under the gun, your whole body clenches up, including the muscles in your neck and back. If you’re stressed all the time and those muscles stay tight, it can eventually cause major pain. How to fix it: You can prioritize ways to calm down each day, be it through exercise, laughing with a friend or partner, reading a good book, etc. One particularly helpful therapy, research shows, is listening to music. Massage is another great stress reducer.

10. You Ignore The Pain

Trying to block out pain could make it worse. A better approach: Let yourself consciously experience the hurt. In a standard pain test, psychologists had 68 back-pain sufferers plunge their hands or feet into ice water. When the volunteers were instructed to suppress the shock of the icy water, a key muscle in the back clenched. In contrast, the muscle didn't tense up when volunteers thought only about the shock. How to fix it: Accepting pain may be the best way to mentally cope. Try reminding yourself that it will pass. If it doesn’t you can call your chiropractor. Many Doctors of Chiropractic are specifically trained to treat spine pain naturally with minimal side effects.

“Anytime you have pain I will treat you
with compassion and understanding.
I promise to provide you the same care
I would give to my own family.
Because you don’t have time for pain.”

Dr. Michael H. Norris
(661) 435-7237
 

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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“A wise man ought to realize that health is his most valuable possession.” ~ Hippocrates

SUPER BOWL TRIVIA QUIZ

Hello Friends and Patients,

Sunday February 5^th is America’s unofficial holiday…THE SUPER BOWL. 
I will be watching even though my team the J.E.T.S. Jets Jets Jets will not be playing. 
In honor of the game here is a quiz for those of you who are fans. 

If your not a football fan, just wait a few weeks. Because next moth is March Madness! 

As always if you have a painful condition or a simple question about your health 

please feel free to call me anytime.

“Because you don’t have time for pain!”

Dr. Michael Norris
Norris Chiropractic  

Super Bowl Quiz
Answers are at the end… so don’t cheat.

 

1- Where was the first Super Bowl played?

2- Which city has hosted the most Super Bowl?

3- Which player has been in the most Super Bowl games?

4- Which team has been in the most Super Bowl games?

5- Who holds the record for the most receiving yards in the game?

6- Who holds the record for the most passing yards in the game?

7- Who kicked the longest field goal in Super Bowl history?

8- Who had the longest interception return in Super Bowl history? 

9- Who holds the record for the most points scored in the game?

10- Who holds the record for the least points scored in the game?

 

 

Answers:

 -Super Bowl I was played in the LA Memorial Coliseum in 1967

-Miami has hosted the most Super Bowls- 10.

-Mike Lodish has played in the most Super Bowls. He played 4 with the Buffalo Bills and 2 with the Denver Broncos

-The Dallas Cowboys have made the most appearances-8

-Jerry Rice holds the record for the most receiving yards in one game. He had 215 yards in Super Bowl XXIII.

- Kurt Warner holds the record for the most receiving yards in one game. He had 414 yards in Super Bowl XXXIV.

- Steve Christie kicked the longest field goal. 54 yards in Super Bowl XXVIII.

-The longest interception return was for 100 yards by James Harrison in Super Bowl XLIII.

-The San Francisco 49ers hold the record for the most points scored in on game. 55 points in Super Bowl XXIV.

-The Miami Dolphins hold the record for the least points scored in on game. 3 points in Super Bowl VI.

 

 

How did you do?

10-8 correct = You are a true fan.

7-5 correct = Not bad… keep watching
and take notes.

4-2 correct = Maybe your favorite sport is tennis… or ice skating.

1-0 correct = Don’t watch the game…
just go shopping!

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Health Update
Chiropractic: Why so quick?
Have you ever wondered why your chiropractor pushes so quick during an adjustment? Simply put, the quickness stimulates neurological receptors in your tissue that allow your muscles to instantly relax. This, in turn, allows your joints to move easier and that is why you feel a great sense of relief right after an adjustment.

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Quote for the month: "Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." -Mother Teresa

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hello Friends and Patients,
2012 has arrived.  I know most of us will be making resolutions to improve our lives.  I need to continue losing weight, improve my endurance, be more loving to people and be more productive.  That’s just a start.  It seems overwhelming to say the least.  I came across this list of suggestions to help us live a better life.  Hopefully something in it inspires you a little.  Let's have a great 2012.  As always if you have a painful condition or a simple question about your health please feel free to call me anytime.
“Because you don’t have time for pain!”
Dr. Michael Norris
Norris Chiropractic
 
1.      Drink plenty of water.
2.      Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince
         and dinner like a beggar.
3.      Eat more foods that grow ON trees and plants
         and eat less food that is manufactured IN plants.
4.      Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm
         and Empathy.
5.      Make time to pray.
6.      Play more games
7.      Read more books than you did in 2010.
8.      Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9.      Sleep at least 7 hours.
10.   Take a 10-30 minute walk daily.
        And while you walk, smile.
11.   Don't compare your life to others.
        You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12.   Don't have negative thoughts
        on things you cannot control.
13.   Don't over do.  Keep your limits.
14.   Don't take yourself so seriously.
        No one else does.
15.   Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16.   Dream more while you are awake.
17.   Envy is a waste of time.  You already have
        all you need.
18.   Forget issues of the past.  Don't remind
        your partner of his/her mistakes in the past.
19.   Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
        Don't hate others.
20.   Make peace with your past so it won't
        spoil the present.
21.   No one is in charge of your happiness
        except you.
22.   Realize that life is a school and
        you are here to learn.  
23.   Laugh more.
24.   You don't have to win every argument.
        Agree to disagree...
25.   Call your family often.
26.   Each day give something good to others.
27.   Forgive everyone for everything.
28.   Spend time with people over the age of 70,
        and under the age of 6.
29.   Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30.   What other people think of you
        is none of your business.
31.   Your job won't take care of you when you
        are sick.  Your friends will.  Stay in touch.
32.   Do the right thing!
33.   Get rid of anything that isn't useful,
        beautiful, or joyful.
34.   Remember that GOD improves everything.
35.   However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36.   No matter how you feel, get up,
        dress up, and show up.
37.   When you awake alive in the morning,
        thank GOD for it.
38.   Be happy.
39.   Be thankful.
Finally… consider forwarding this guide to those you care about.

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HEALTH UPDATE

Sensible Snacking: Eating smaller, more frequent good snacks can help balance your metabolism and mood, which will help maintain your energy levels. Try to avoid snacks high in trans fat, high-fructose corn syrup and processed sugar. Look for good things like: whole grains, fiber, protein, fruits, nuts, seeds, and omega-3s. Choose snacks that are minimally processed, free of highly refined sweeteners, and artifificial ingredients.

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Quote of the month: "The treatments themselves do not 'cure' the condition, they simply restore the body's self-healing ability." ~Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O.

December 2011

Season Greetings Dear Friends and Patients,

As 2011 is winding down I’m thankful we have grown this year.  Seeing more patients and being able to help more people is why I love getting up and going to work each day.  Because of this growth my daughter Amanda has been helping me in the office several times a week.  So if you call and get a female voice it's not me.  Amanda is also doing the monthly email newsletter and weekly updates on Facebook.  We also have a new website at: drnorrischiro.com.  Hopefully the content on these sites will inform and entertain you.   We try to have helpful information and fun facts.  You can subscribe to the newsletter on our website.  For instance here are some fun facts about the holiday season.

-The world’s largest Christmas present was the Statue of Liberty. The French gave it to the US in 1886. It is 46.5 meters high and weights 225 tons!

-"It's a Wonderful Life" appears on TV more often than any other holiday movie.

-Q: Why are candy canes bent? A: In 1670, a choirmaster in Cologne, Germany, bent the ends of candy sticks to resemble a shepherd's staff and handed them out to children during church services to keep them quiet.

- For centuries, St. Nicholas has been remembered by Christians for his generosity toward children and the poor. The real St. Nicholas lived in Turkey, where he served as bishop in the town of Myra, during the fourth century.

- According to Dutch legend, Sinter Klaas (St. Nicholas) brought gifts at Christmastime, either through an open window or down a chimney.

- In New York, it's not officially Christmastime until the tree is lit at Rockefeller Center. The first tree appeared in 1931, during the Great Depression.

-"White Christmas" has sold more than 100 million copies around the world. The song was written by Irving Berlin and recorded by Bing Crosby in 1942.

- The time-honored tradition of sending Christmas cards began more than 150 years ago in England.

-In 1822, Clement Moore composed his famous poem, "The Night Before Christmas," creating the modern image of Santa Claus as a jolly old fat man in a red suit.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
Dr. Michael Norris
Norris Chiropractic

NOVEMBER A TIME TO BE GRATEFUL

November 2011

Hello Dear Friends and Patients,

This month is Thanksgiving.  A time when we should stop to realize how blessed we truly are.  Now days it is easy to lose our perspective on the present and future.  I remember the good old days when… you can fill in the blank.  But as bad as things are we can always remember the good times.  Here is a recent internet article for your consideration.  Be thankful.

To Those of Us Born 

Between 1925 - 1970:

No matter what our kids
and the new generation 

think about us,

WE ARE AWESOME !!!

OUR Lives are LIVING PROOF !!!
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE
1930s, ’40, '50s, '60s and '70s!! 

First, we survived being born to mothers who may have smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then, after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets, and, when we rode our bikes, we had baseball caps, not helmets, on our heads.
As infants and children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.
Riding in the back of a pick- up truck on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, and no one actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter, and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar. And we weren't overweight. 

WHY?

Because we were always outside playing...that's why!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. --And, we were OKAY.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride them down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes.. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Play Stations, Nintendos and X-boxes.
There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVDs, no surround-sound or CDs, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms. 

WE HAD FRIENDS
and we went outside and found them! 

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth, and there were no lawsuits from those accidents.
We would get spankings with wooden spoons, switches, ping-pong paddles, or just a bare hand, and no one would call child services to report abuse.
We ate worms, and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls, and -although we were told it would happen- we did not put out very many eyes.
We knew that are fathers had guns, and we knew enough to leave them alone, not take them to school to show our friends.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them.
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.
Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers, and inventors ever.
The past 50 to 85 years have seen an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.
If YOU are one of those born between 1940-1970,  

CONGRATULATIONS! 

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.
While you are at it, forward it to your kids, so they will know how brave and lucky their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it? 

Have a great month.

Dr. Michael H. Norris

 

HEALTH UPDATE

Get your Sunshine Vitamins: Teenagers with low levels of vitamin D are more than twice as likely to have high blood pressure and high blood sugar, and are at four times the risk of developing a metabolic syndrome leading to diabetes, heart disease and stroke.  

-Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

So put down the remote control and get up and go for a walk… outside!

Quote of the Month

“The power to heal is within you. Your body can heal itself.  Give it a chance.”

~ Andrew Weil, MD