Dr. Mike's Blog

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

My! How the Time Flies-August 2016

MY! HOW THE TIME FLIES
August 2016

Hi Everybody Dr. Norris Here,
I just celebrated my 62nd birthday. As the title of this newsletter says, "My! How the time flies."
You would think in all my years I would have figured out most things by now... wrong.
Here is a list of some unanswered questions!

I never found out who let the dogs out
The way to get to Sesame Street
Why Dora doesn't just use Google Maps
Why we don't ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"
Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed
Why "abbreviated" is such a long word
Why lemon juice is made with artificial flavor yet dish-washing liquid is made with real lemons
Why they sterilize the needle for lethal injections
Why do you have to "put your two cents in" but it's only a "penny for your thoughts" where's that extra penny going to
Why do The Alphabet Song and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star have the same tune
Why did you just try to sing those two previous songs
And just what is Victoria's secret?
And do you really think I am this witty??

I actually stole this from someone who posted it online. Now it is your turn to steal it from me.

Norris Chiropractic Is Fighting Inflation
The cost of healthcare continues to soar. Insurance premiums are up 13%.
Medical procedures are up 9% and drugs cost up 10% to 20% from over 2014 prices.
In my office the cost for a cash office visit has remained the same since 2011. I will hold out as long as I can from raising costs so you can benefit from chiropractic care. Please tell your friends, family and all those you love that chiropractic works.

"Because Nobody Has Time For Pain!"

Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris

HEALTH ALERT:
Frigid Forearms
A cool shower can help on a hot day, but if that’s not accessible maybe just dunk your arms in cold water. In response to cold, your blood vessels constrict, which means less blood is getting chilled. But research suggests people can override this reflex by cooling only some parts of their bodies. A 2013 review looked at various extremities and found that submerging arms up to the elbow in cool water is the most effective method for dropping body temperature. A study of this technique during Army training found that it reduced the severity of heat illnesses during arduous work days.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver." ~Mahatma Gandhi

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or, medical problems. It is not intended to replace your doctor's recommendations.
The information is provided for educational purposes only. Response to care and nutritional benefits may vary from one person to another.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

The Starfish Story- July 2016

THE STARFISH STORY
July 2016

Hi Everybody, Dr. Norris here,

I recently came across this story which I had shared several years ago in one of my newsletters. Here it is again...I hope you enjoy it.

“The Starfish Story”

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore when he saw a human figure moving along the beach. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man that was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, “Good morning! What are you doing?”
The young man looked up and replied, “Throwing starfish in the ocean.”
The wise man said "What?"
“The sun is up and the tide is going out, and if I don't throw them in they'll die.”
“But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it.
You can't possibly make a difference.”

The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said “For this one, It made all the difference in the world!”

I remember reading that story, for the first time, many, many moons ago; I thought about that story many times as I was going through school. Every time I had to stay up all night studying, I would think of that story & why I was there. It made the sacrifice and lack of sleep clearly worth it.

The morning of my state board exams, I vividly remember waiting to take the test, with bags under my eyes, thinking about that story. It was still worth it. After I passed the exam with flying colors, I started throwing starfish back into the ocean... one by one. Not literally starfish of course, but helping suffering people get out of pain. It was exciting helping so many people. More exciting than I ever thought it could possibly be.

As the days turn into months and the months into years, most people grow tired of their job or “career”. Most can't wait to go home every day and eventually retire. Well, that never happened to me. I'm as excited today as the day I entered Chiropractic school.

Not too many people can say that & I owe it all to you. I honestly feel blessed to have such a group of patients that make intelligent decisions about their health. You also understand healing and fixing the real cause of your problem can take time. You've been a loyal chiropractic patient and are reaping the benefits, now and later in life. You finish what you start and your spine, muscles and nervous system will be healthier and younger because of it. Yep, you've made my practice a wonderful place to be and I want you to always feel I am your Chiropractor. Even if we don't see each other for a while,
I want you to always know your welcome and I'll be happy to see you. I'll always be here to help you.

I'm glad you're one of my starfish!
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris

HEALTH ALERTS:
Avoid Opiates At All Costs
Music fans worldwide were still mourning the death of iconic rock star Prince at age 57, when the tragedy was compounded by news that it was due to an opioid overdose. Medical Examiners announced that an autopsy had determined that Prince's death was an accident caused by fentanyl toxicity, a prescription opioid drug used to treat severe pain, carries a high risk for addiction and dependence; Prince was reportedly taking it for hip pain.

The U.S. is in the midst of an epidemic of opioid overdoses. Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S., according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and in 2014, 40 percent of the 47,055 fatal drug overdoses that occurred were related to prescription pain relievers. In fact, 78 people in the U.S. die every day from an opioid overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it."
~Charles R. Swindoll

Friday, June 24, 2016

Working Out Problems- June 2016

WORKING OUT PROBLEMS
June 2016

Hi Everybody Dr. Norris here,

How we deal with adversity says a lot about us and our character. Working out problems and finding the right way to respond is a challenge.
I found this story online about dealing with problems... I hope you enjoy it.

Many years ago, a farmer had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to a village moneylender. The moneylender, who was old and ugly, fancied the farmer’s beautiful daughter. So he proposed a bargain. He said he would forgo the farmer’s debt if he could marry his daughter.

Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified by the proposal. So the cunning money-lender suggested that they let providence decide the matter. He told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty money bag. Then the girl would have to pick one pebble from the bag.

If she picked the black pebble, she would become his wife and her father’s debt would be forgiven. If she picked the white pebble she need not marry him and her father’s debt would still be forgiven. If she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown into jail.

They were standing on a pebble strewn path in the farmer’s field. As they talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles. As he picked them up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag. He then asked the girl to pick a pebble from the bag.

Take a moment to ponder this. What would you recommend that the girl do?

The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble. Without looking at it, she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles.

“Oh, how clumsy of me!” she said. “But never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.”

The moneylender dared not admit his dishonesty. The girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into an extremely advantageous one. Most problems do have a solution, sometimes we just need to think in a different way.

Dealing with pain can be a challenge.
What is the best remedy? Can I afford it? Who do I trust for advice?

I am always available for advice regarding painful conditions. I promise to give it to you honestly and without an agenda. We appreciate your patronage and will continue to provide quality affordable health care to the Antelope Valley.

Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris

HEALTH TIP:
Not All Fats Are Created Equal
There are good fats, like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, which can help reduce bad cholesterol levels, and reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke. These include: avocados, olives, nuts and seeds. And then, there are bad fats, like saturated and trans fat, which can put you at greater risk for heart disease. These include: fatty meats, fast food and margarine. So eat the good fat, not the bad.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
“Today, more than 95% of all chronic disease
is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients,
nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercise.” ~Mike Adams

Friday, May 6, 2016

Why Norris Chiropractic-May 2016

WHY NORRIS CHIROPRACTIC?
May 2016

Hi Everybody Dr. Norris here,

I was recently driving around the valley running some errands, when I noticed how many chiropractic offices there are in the Antelope Valley now. When I moved here in 1985 there were about 8 offices here. In Palmdale, there were 3 offices; and in Lancaster, 5 offices. Now there are approximately 40 offices, valley wide.

My patients are loyal despite having many options from which to choose. You have blessed me and my family by trusting us with your health care. I appreciate it more than you will ever know
so THANK YOU!

With that said, what separates my practice from those other 39 offices?
Well let me give you three distinctive differences.

EXPERIENCE
While there are many excellent doctors of chiropractic in town, my 35+ years of experience in helping people with painful conditions gives me an advantage.
My experience in athletic training, sports medicine and injury rehabilitation allows me to provide a wide range of services not usually associated with chiropractic care. In addition I am a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) trained in evaluating Worker's Compensation cases. During my career I have provided care for high school, collegiate, Olympic and professional athletes as well as thousands of patients seeking relief from pain.

PATIENT COMFORT
Even though I am a doctor... I am also a patient. When I go to the doctor there are several things that frustrate me: trying to get an appointment, doing paperwork and waiting forever to see someone.
So when I opened my current office, I vowed to change things. In my office you can usually get a same day appointment. The paperwork is minimal and I don't over book, which keeps your wait short. There are chiropractic offices in town that have a normal wait time of 30-45 minutes.
At Norris Chiropractic we understand that your time is valuable. Most patients are in and out
within a few minutes.

EXPENSE
In the Antelope Valley fees for some chiropractic services are as high as $120 a visit. Because my overhead is low I can offer my office visit for $30. There are some offices which may offer prices in this range but they demand a prepay plan making you sign-up for multiple visits. In my office you come in when you need to or want to. No hard sell.
We also accept many insurance plans including Kaiser, Blue Cross Anthem, Blue Shield and Aetna.

Thank you for choosing Norris Chiropractic.
We appreciate your patronage and will continue to provide quality, affordable health care to the Antelope Valley.

Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris

HEALTH TIP: Magic Berry
Blueberries have more antioxidants—those magical molecules that can help prevent a host of maladies—than 40 other common fruits and vegetables. The antioxidant plant pigments that make blueberries blue, guard against heart disease, cancer, and age-related blindness and memory loss. They’re also tops when it comes to preventing urinary tract infections, thanks to the antioxidant epicatechins, which keep bacteria from sticking to bladder walls.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
“Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds
if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.”
~Doug Larson

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

The History of Chiropractic- April 2016

THE HISTORY OF CHIROPRACTIC
April 2016

Hi Everybody Dr. Norris Here,

Spring has sprung and the days are getting warmer. As the temperatures increase people tend to be more active. If you or someone you care about overdoes it and is in pain, please contact me because I may be able to help with advice or treatment.
Remember "Nobody has time for pain!"

The Art and Science Of Chiropractic

Manipulation of the spine has been performed for thousands of years. Ancient writings indicate the Chinese and Greeks were moving spinal vertebrae to relieve pain approximately 2,000 years ago. During the medieval period "bone setters" used crude methods to reset bones and joints.

In 1895 David Palmer a natural healer in Iowa began to experiment with specifically administered maneuvers designed to restore misaligned joints to their proper position and function. His patients reported amazing results with the treatments. Within months hundreds of people began to seek-out Dr. Palmer. He called the technique Chiropractic, in Latin for "chiro-" hand, "-practic" practitioner or "A doctor who uses his hands." Soon Dr. Palmer was teaching his techniques and the Palmer College of Chiropractic was incorporated.

Through the 1950's Chiropractic was considered non-scientific. Nevertheless millions of patients were reporting remarkable results. Doctors of Chiropractic were often the last resort for people who had suffered without relief using typical medical treatment and medication. Because of this success the American Medical Association sought to destroy the chiropractic profession and began a massive smear campaign. In 1987, a Superior court ruled that the AMA had violated the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, and that it had engaged in an unlawful conspiracy in restraint of trade "to contain and eliminate the chiropractic profession." (Wilkv. American Medical Ass'n. 1987). The court further stated that the "AMA had entered into a long history of illegal behavior". It then issued a permanent injunction against the AMA to prevent such future behavior.

Subsequent scientific research has shown that restoring proper alignment of joints by using a specifically applied "adjustment" helps restore joint, nerve and muscle function which results in less pain, reduced spasm and increased mobility. In 35+ years of practice I have been fortunate by being able to help thousands of patients. I thank you for being one of those patients and thank Dr. Palmer for starting the Chiropractic profession.

Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris

HEALTH TIP:
Why Water Intake?
We all know that water is essential for life, but have you ever wondered why your body needs so much replenishing? Water is crucial for the body's everyday biological functions. The majority of the human body is made up of water: We rely on it to lubricate our joints, regulate temperature and to care for the brain and spinal cord. Without enough water, we'd be dry, unfocused, unenergized and creaky.

On average, we lose two to three liters of water a day, through sweat, breath, urine and bowel movements. To compensate, we've got to rehydrate. While past guidance has suggested we drink approximately eight glasses a day, new recommendations say we should drink anywhere from 2 to 3.7 liters (8.4 to 15.6 cups) daily, depending on a person's sex, weight, health and environment.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
“Have you noticed that the man
who is not willing to fix himself is the one
who wants the most laws passed to fix others?”
~ David Palmer, Founder of Chiropractic

I Love My Patients- March 2016

I LOVE MY PATIENTS
March 2016

Hi Everybody Dr. Norris Here,

During the last 30+ years of my career treating patients I've had the privilege of seeing thousands of people and helping them with painful conditions. I love all my patients, but there are several which in particular come to mind. Here are some of the most memorable.

"I'm ready."
Early in my career as an Athletic Trainer I was working at Santa Ana College. One of our best players broke his leg in football practice. He was sent to our team doctor who put a cast on the player’s leg. The next day the player shows up for practice without the cast and says "I'm ready to go." I asked, "Where is the cast?" The linebacker proceeded to tell me he soaked it in the bathtub and cut it off with a knife. Needless to say he didn't play that week.

"It's All In Her Head."
A woman brought her teenage daughter to me who had been suffering from headaches for several months. The mother was frustrated because she had taken her daughter to her primary physician, a neurologist and a pain specialist. X-rays, CT scans and multiple medications had not helped the girl. Finally they told the mom there is nothing wrong. In other words: "It's all in her head." After I evaluated the girl for several minutes it was clear she had vertebral misalignments in her neck. I told the mom that this was likely the cause of her headaches. The mom was skeptical but gave permission to try several adjustments. After the first treatment there was some relief. After the second treatment, about 75% improvement. By the third treatment the young girl was pain free.
In other words: "It's was all in her neck."

"I'm Scheduled For Surgery."
I saw a fellow one day for chronic low back pain. He had degenerative disc disease which was irritating a nerve causing constant pain into his leg. He told me I was his last chance before having spine surgery. I advised him to be patient and stay compliant with my recommendations. After five treatments, home exercises and lifestyle changes the guy was significantly better. He cancelled the surgery and has been seeing me on and off for years.

While medical care and medications can be beneficial and life saving, they often have serious side effects and can't cure every patient. My suggestion is TRY A NATURAL SOLUTION FIRST.
Chiropractic care, massage therapy and supplements are inexpensive and safe. If you or someone you care about is suffering I may be able to help.

"Because you don't have time for pain."
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris

HEALTH TIP: Chiropractic For Headaches
"Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is an effective treatment for tension headaches. Patients who received SMT experienced a sustained therapeutic benefit in contrast to the patients that received medication." Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics, 1995

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
“Appearance of disease is as swift as an arrow; its disappearance is slow, like a turtle.”
~ Chinese Proverb

Friday, February 19, 2016

Some Random Thoughts- February 2016

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS
February 2016

Hi Everybody Dr. Norris Here,
For those of you who have already given up on your New Year's Resolutions take heart. Most people last about 3 weeks. I swim several times per week over at East Side Pool. Right after the New Year the pool is packed. This week it is back the normal amount of people. Here are several good quotes about good intentions.

"A balanced diet is having a cupcake in each hand."
“If you can't go to the gym... go to McDonalds, the cashier is named Jim... it's kind of the same."
"I decided I will never get down to my original weight... 8 lbs 6 oz is unrealistic."

Keep it simple. Eat more plants and keep moving.

Sciatic Nerve Symptoms
One of the most common conditions I treat is sciatic nerve pain. Pain down the back of the leg, side of the leg or into and around the buttocks is usually caused by irritation to the sciatic nerve. The irritation is often a misalignment of the pelvis or lower back. Pain therapy, massage, stretching exercises and chiropractic adjustments are the best and safest way to manage this condition. Let me know if you or someone you care about is suffering from this health issue... I can help.

Super Bowl Athletic Trainers
Some of you may know that before I became a Doctor of Chiropractic I was an Athletic Trainer at the high school, community college and university levels. It was a wonderful profession; helping athletes to rehabilitate from injuries and perform better at their best was very gratifying. I was able to work as a medical coordinator for the 1984 Olympic Games. My wife, Cindy, who is also an athletic trainer, and I were able to cover many events including the opening ceremonies, water-polo gold-medal game and the decathlon. Athletic trainers are the unsung heroes of sports. So when you watch the Super Bowl game look for the people who run onto the field and help the injured players off the field…and realize there is no game if the players can't play!

Because even Broncos and Panthers
don't have time for pain!

Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris

HEALTH TIP:
Remember These Five Dangerous Words: Maybe It Will Go Away.
There is a direct response to how well a person responds to treatment and how soon the receive treatment. Delaying care often means the condition becomes chronic. And chronic health conditions mean longer more costly treatments and slower healing. So I recommend getting care AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
“It’s true that laughter really is cheap medicine. It’s a prescription anyone can afford.
And best of all, you can fill it right now.”
~ Steve Goodier