A Cautionary Tale about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

It happened yet again today...

I had a patient return for care today after a few year hiatus. She reported that a few months ago, she had carpal tunnel surgery because she had unrelenting numbness in her pinky and ring finger. The surgery didn't help and she showed up at my office desperate for help.

Allow me to explain the carpal tunnel (apparently, the surgeon needs to read this, too):

In carpal tunnel surgery, the Transverse Carpal ligament is cut to make more room for the Median nerve to travel through. (You can see both the ligament and the nerve in the picture.) This ligament can get irritated and thickened from microtrauma (typing on a keyboard is one of the main mechanisms for injury), resulting in irritation and/or compression of the Median nerve. This results in the middle finger getting "pins and needles" or going numb.  The finger can also get weak. Cutting the ligament to relieve the pressure has been the medical solution for this for quite some time. If you trace the Median nerve from the wrist to the fingers in the picture, you will see that it travels mainly to the middle finger (with a small piece branching towards the inner ring finger and the outer index finger so, sometimes, those with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome will experience numbness here, too). The Ulnar nerve goes to the pinky and ring finger.

My patient was actually experiencing an ulnar nerve entrapment. This was confirmed during the exam that I did on the patient.

To say this makes me angry is an understatement. This happens all the time! And I cannot believe that these surgeons who are going in and operating have no idea where the nerves go to or what the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are. If that is the case, they don't deserve to have a license! This leads me to believe that all they are after is... MONEY!

Surgery is RISKY! And according to this article, 1 in 20 young, healthy adults die within a year of being anesthetized!

I generally refrain from speaking negatively about the medical profession, but this has got to stop. This patient has now gone through unnecessary surgery, is on disability, and is still seeking relief. I'm just glad she called and she is now back on the path of health and regaining her life. If you know someone who is having Carpal Tunnel symptoms, PLEASE share this post. And then have them call my office to schedule an appointment at 908.300.8800

How to Unclog Your Sinuses Without Drugs

What should you do about the Measles outbreak?

A friend informed me of this today ...

Measles Outbreak in Somerset County!!

and since then, multiple patients have been coming in mentioning it.

There is a lot of misinformation about this and I want to give you some life-saving advice.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

I know you're concerned, but let me give you some facts and dispel some myths.

First of all, these outbreaks happen in vaccinated populations all the time.

Measles outbreak in Massachusetts

Measles outbreak in Illinois

This article even claims that current outbreaks in vaccinated and unvaccinated populations are equal to pre-vaccination days!

So for those of you blaming the moms who are choosing not to vaccinate, this is obviously NOT the reason.  In addition, if the vaccines work so well, your vaccinated child should be fine.  If you're doubting that this is the case, there's probably more to the story.

As a (W)holistic Chiropractor, I see kids who are vaccine-injured more than I'd like to admit.  As a matter of fact, as one who was raised on the salary of a pharmaceutical employee, I thought it was complete poppycock when I first heard people blaming vaccines for autism.  "VACCINES SAVE LIVES!" Right? Those crazy conspiracy theorists need to find a better hobby! 

It wasn't until I was three months in practice, when I met my first vaccine-injured patient (MMR shot, in case you were wondering) who was actually getting a payout from the Vaccine Court, that I saw the light.  There was a special COURT for this????  And the government actually ADMITTED that she was hurt by the shot???  That really turned my world around.  

Since then, I have met many more.  Most of them had their reaction after the MMR vaccine while others couldn't tell since many vaccines were given on the same appointment.

So leave the moms alone. They're choosing what they know to be the safest option for their children.

BUT PEOPLE ARE GETTING MEASLES!!

Obviously, if vaccinated kids are getting measles, the vaccine isn't protecting them.  Herd immunity has been blamed for this effect but this is only a widely accepted theory; not fact.  And in the case of herd immunity, the vaccinated children would be safe. It doesn't work the other way around.  There are no studies that I could locate citing proof of herd immunity, anyway; just a compilation of data... but we must remember that correlation does not equal causation and this compilation would suggest that these measles outbreaks would be highly unlikely due to said immunity, so again, something doesn't add up.  

What is the medical world's response to these outbreaks?

MORE VACCINES, OF COURSE!

Because the 30 injections of formaldehyde, thimerosol (mercury), aluminum, and other toxic ingredients we've been injecting into these kids before they even started kindergarten weren't enough to keep them healthy.

Let's think about this.

30 or more doses of TOXINS injected into this tiny child's blood before they turn five years old.  30 or more doses of toxins into a 35 pound living creature. The EPA states that only 0.1 micrograms of mercury per kg of body weight per day is safe.  These kids are roughly 16kg.  And that doesn't even factor in the other ingredients.  There is also evidence that certain children may have a mitochondrial disorder making them specifically sensitive to these metals.

And this is supposed to make them healthier.

If something about that doesn't seem a little off to you, you MAY just be brainwashed by Big Pharma. I know I was.

What I think is remarkable about this particular study is that the conclusion is how necessary it is to vaccinate in highly populated households.  But what comes with a crowded dwelling?  

STRESS!

And this brings me back to my life-saving advice.

The worst thing you can do right now is work yourself into a tizzy.  

People get viruses all the time. And they don't get sick simply because they were exposed to something. Or because they went outside without a jacket. Or because they wore a wet bathing suit on a chilly evening.  Or because their hair was wet on a cold morning.  They get sick because they're STRESSED.  They aren't getting enough sleep.  They're overstimulated by tv's and other screen-based gadgets.  They're under-nourished, over-sugared, over-caffeinated, and their nervous system is fiercely trying to restore balance. Its last attempt is to knock them out for a while so their bodies get the rest they so desperately need!

So do yourself a favor, relax, eat a healthy meal, and get to bed early. This will all blow over shortly.  And if you've waited too long and end up with a sick day, your local (W)holistic chiropractor is here to help get you and your family's systems back in balance.

A love letter to my Vitamix

I have to admit, it wasn't love at first sight. 

Initially, I just thought you were a really expensive blender.  Why would anyone pay that much for a blender??? But I misjudged you.  You are so much more.

Our love affair started as an experiment.  Let's see what all the fuss is about.  I used your cookbook, I made a smoothie, and I was enthralled with the rich, creamy texture that you somehow concocted of nothing but fruit.  How did you DO that???  The love affair grew steadily as I plowed through recipes.  Soups, nut butters, pesto, hummus made with zucchini, ice cream, milk shakes, cake batter...  And then, it happened.

I graduated to my first green smoothie.

I had tried this before, and the results were nothing but disastrous.  Mind you, my last attempt was in my misguided youth, utilizing a plain old 12-speed blender.  My "smoothie" resembled a chunky, partially digested salad and left much to be desired. Despite holding my nose and chugging as fast as I could, I couldn't even finish half.  To be completely blunt, it was disgusting, left me slightly nauseous, and I couldn't believe anyone would voluntarily consume such a thing.

With you, all of this changed.  With some pineapple (peeled, but uncored!), an orange (peeled), a quarter of a banana, and some ice, you took my lettuce, kale, and spinach, and transformed them into a luscious, creamy, smooth taste of heaven!  I have used you almost every day since, and every day, I love you more and more.  Thank you for coming into my life!  You have given me a new and exciting way to get my daily nutrition and I couldn't imagine life without you.

<3 p="">Me.

Are drugs the leading cause of death in the US?

Recently, I made a post on Facebook about what I believe to be the wrongful use of psychiatric medication in children in this country which sparked a debate with a friend. This friend, being employed by a pharmaceutical company, is somewhat "pro-drug." And since I did all this digging (and learned a few things in the process) in order to back up my claims, I thought I'd share.

My initial claim was that "Prescription drugs are the leading cause of death in this country."

Based on websites like this one , I can see how this rumor started.  And I apologize for getting my facts mixed up... I'm usually much better about that... This was the ACTUAL info I was thinking of.

But then I started thinking... This claim CAN be argued to be true or false, since the evidence is sketchy and it's difficult to prove.  Many articles regarding drug-related deaths point out that "drugs of choice, perceptions, and patterns of behavior can differ. [Drug] abuse contributes to traffic accidents, crime, and overdoses, although data inconsistencies can make drug use and its consequences hard to quantify."  And this only refers to illegal drug use.

According to the CDC, the top causes are:

1. Diseases of heart
2. Malignant neoplasms
3. Chronic lower respiratory diseases
4. Cerebrovascular diseases
5. Accidents (unintentional injuries)
6. Alzheimer’s disease
7. Diabetes mellitus
8. Influenza and pneumonia
9. Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis
10. Intentional self-harm (suicide)
11. Septicemia
12. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
13. Essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease
14. Parkinson’s disease
15. Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids

This was the same source my friend used to disprove my claim. 

But the truth of the matter is that aside from "accidental poisoning," which clocks in at .61%,  deaths from drugs (OTC/illegal/prescription or taken-as-prescribed/abused) will never be clearly reported because the cause of death is reported in the manner of "respiratory failure" or "heart failure."  Many of these causes RESULT from drug use. Whitney Houston's cause of death was listed as "drowning."  Amy Winehouse's death could be considered "dehydration" due to too much alcohol in her system. Brittany Murphy and Simon Monjack's deaths were blamed on pneumonia, despite the questionable mix of medications they were taking (both prescription and non-prescription).  The list goes on and on: Heath Ledger, Ana Nicole Smith, Corey Haim, Mike Star, Bubba Smith, Jani Lane, Mikey Welsh, Leslie Carter...  All are celebrities who have passed due to drug-related causes in the past few years...  And that only accounts for those in the public eye and mostly illegal drug use which is only a small percentage of drug-related deaths in this country.  What about the people we have known who accidentally overdosed on Tylenol or Advil and ended up in the hospital with potential liver or kidney failure or gastric distress (I can think of three people off the top of my head who I know personally that have fallen into this trap)?  And the multitudes of people who flippantly admit to exceeding the daily limit of whatever OTC pain reliever they're on because they are under the mistaken impression that it can't hurt them. What about the people who are given antibiotics for fungal infections, allowing those infections to rapidly spread (I've had at least one friend who died from this at the age of 30!) and those who have strokes due to birth control methods?  What about the folks who ended up with strokes or seizures due to Accutane?  Or all those drugs that were temporarily on the market and then recalled when the dangers were discovered (Phen-fen, Darvocet, Vioxx, and Thalidomide, for example)?

And what about the deaths that result from violence?  This article is sobering... and lists the top ten drugs that induce violent behavior, the worst one being Chantix, a drug used to aid in smoking cessation.

Drugs are now the leading cause of accidental death in this country. And in many of those approximately 40,000 deaths, the patients were taking the medication as prescribed.

Can I say that drugs are the number one killer in this country?  Not with certainty.  But I CAN say with overwhelming assertion that the medical system kills more people than anything else.  After reading the articles sited here, I'd say the numbers speak for themselves.  Am I anti-drug? No.  Am I against M.D.s?  No. (I'm actually friends with them!)  But I caution you: Don't become a statistic.  Make medicine your last resort, AFTER seriously implementing the lifestyle changes recommended by a qualified holistic practitioner, and spare yourself unnecessary pain, misery, and a premature burial.

In loving service,

Dr. Redmond

Adrenal Boost: Completed!

I've been awfully quiet about my recent challenge.

A little over a month ago, I decided I needed to recharge my adrenal glands.

After one aborted attempt, I restarted a month ago, and with the exception of one dinner party, a couple french fries, and a half-inch sliver of banana cream pie on Labor Day, I've been pretty consistent with my efforts.

I have to say... I really FEEL a difference!  I tested my saliva pH before starting and periodically throughout the last month and it has also consistently been more basic.  But the biggest differences I've noticed has been my energy, my sleep quality, sinuses clearer than I ever thought possible, and the fact that despite the scale barely budging, my clothes are fitting better.  And every time I cheated, I FELT the difference as well... I'd feel tired, slow, and hit an afternoon lag that just wasn't there when I was avoiding sugar, wheat, caffeine, alcohol, and fried foods.  I'm curious to see how my body changes now that I have added dairy back in, but I can say without a doubt that I notice negative shifts in my energy level and mood when I consume wheat and sugar.  And it is immediate!  I've also noticed how heavy and congested my digestive tract feels when I eat too much red meat (an observation I've never made before...).  Oatmeal also seems to slow me down a bit...

Why do I tell you all this?

I can't promise that you will have the same experience I had, but I'd love for you to try this experiment for yourself and report back to me what you noticed.  Be an alien in your own body and see how your food affects your moods, body functions, and energy level.  Awareness leads to knowledge and knowledge is power!  Let me know what you discover... 

Feeling Fatigued? Join me in my 30 day Adrenal Boost!

During my Facebook Fast, I got to hear others' stories of their own fasts, whether it be from media, alcohol, food, or whatever else they decided to challenge themselves with.  There were a variety of reasons behind their abstinence: weight loss, religion, proving a point, curiosity... It got me thinking of new ways to challenge myself (and if you've read my blog for a while, you know that's one of  my favorite things to do!). 

Since Adrenal Fatigue has been a major topic of conversation around the office lately (I've even decided to use it as the topic for our upcoming Dinner with the Doc) I've decided to do a 30 day Adrenal recharge.  This includes eliminating those things that tax the adrenals (caffeine, sugar, alcohol) and reducing behaviors that tax the adrenals (activity that raises the heart rate over a certain range - for me that would be 135bpm, lack of sleep, eating after 8pm, excessive screen time).  I have also decided to eliminate three of the most common allergens (soy, dairy, wheat), refined grains (white rice), and fried foods (not that I have ever eaten much of them) because these cause systemic inflammation which wears on the adrenals as well.

I started yesterday.

Some have already asked me, "What else is there to eat?!?"

Lots of wonderful foods!

Chicken, lean meats, fish, nuts (in moderation), all the veggies I can eat (preferably raw), fruit (in moderation), oats, millet, amaranth, brown rice, groats, sweet potatoes, eggs, coconut/almond/other alternative milks (unsweetened, of course), and assorted herbal teas.  I'm also allowing myself the occasional kombucha for it's alkalizing benefits.  Most importantly during this time is to eat a protein-rich breakfast and have protein at every meal. The Adrenal glands LOVE protein!!

I plan to make my best effort to be in bed no later than 10pm (obligations keep me from making it earlier but I will if possible) and limiting my screen time to average no more than two hours per day (that includes emails, YouTube, TV, Facebook, etc).  I will also be taking an adrenal support supplement that I absolutely love!

Wish me luck!  And, as usual, I'll keep you posted! ("Follow" to have the updates emailed directly to you.)

Yours in health and service,

Dr. Redmond

Are Tums a good source of Calcium?

Tums had an advertising campaign out years ago for a Tums with extra calcium.  They claimed that this version of Tums was a great source of Calcium... Why take JUST CALCIUM when you could fight indigestion at the same time???

Unfortunately, stomach acid is actually necessary for the digestion and absorption of Calcium (as well as other nutrients) and as an ANTACID, Tums actually creates the opposite environment.  I actually recommend that for increased absorption, Calcium supplements be taken with something acidic like orange or cranberry juice.

The better option is to determine where your indigestion is coming from and address those issues... Your body may actually be deficient in Hydrochloric Acid so it overproduces to compensate when you eat, or you could have a hiatal hernia, where the stomach has herniated above the diaphragm, causing stomach acid to leak into the esophagus and throat.  (This can be fixed by a simple, effective adjustment and I have seen many patients successfully eliminate long-term antacid use from their life thanks to this adjustment.)

If you or someone you love is suffering from indigestion, feel free to share this post with them!

Stay healthy!! :)

Dr. Redmond

My Facebook Fast

It's been slightly over a week now since I've started my 30 day Facebook Fast, and I've already noticed a shift.  Bear with me as I try to explain, as I am still trying to sort it all out.

First of all, I haven't felt this connected to the world in quite some time... which is ironic since Facebook supposedly connects us to so many!

When I say I feel "connected" it's something far beyond just people... I guess it's more of a spiritual connection... of which a side effect is feeling more secure in who I am.  I had no idea the effect Facebook was having on my self-esteem...

I can't help but think of one of my favorite books, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.  One of the agreements is, "Don't take anything personally."  Facebook sets the stage perfectly to alternately feed and starve the ego (our false sense of self).  Any time we expand or contract the ego, self-esteem is affected. That false sense of self automatically makes us feel separate from the world instead of one small cell of a larger, cohesive organism.  The ego makes us feel disconnected.  It wants us to feel like an individual!  It makes us want to feel unusually unique!  Of course, we all are in our own way, but this can also turn against us, making us feel so unique that we get cocky, over-confident, or feel like an island that no one can understand.  It makes us feel alone and lonely.

On top of that, virtual interaction is a whole new breed... it's communication without connection.  And when I consider the state of the world today, with cyber-bullying and the lack of empathy that we witness in things like this video:

it occurs to me that it is this lack of connection that is brewing such a diseased world. Communication without being witness to others' emotions guards us from the pain that we cause, and keeps us from sensing that pain and feeling it in our own hearts.  We have been well-trained from the time we were small children to disconnect from what we see on screens... that what we see isn't "real."  That's how we can watch horror, and action, and absurdity without ending up in a mental ward!  It's a protective mechanism.  I'm starting to wonder if many of us are experiencing the same numbing effect with Facebook.  Classic Conditioning and Stimulus Generalization at its finest.

In this week since I've been off facebook, I have been more clued in to who my real friends are, I've been less self-absorbed, less distracted, and felt more spiritually engaged...

Can't wait to see what happens next week! (Stay tuned and "Follow" for updates!)

Did I stay off Facebook?  Click here to find out!

Sometimes, results take time...

I wish everyone felt fantastic after their first adjustment, and most of the time, this is true, but occasionally, someone's body has been so toxic or stuck or abused for so long that their first adjustment doesn't make much of a dent in their condition. In very rare cases, it can actually make them temporarily MORE sore.

The good news is, this does not last.

This soreness is a sign of how confused the nervous system is...

Just like people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome get sick after eating too much healthy food or a dehydrated person can get sick from drinking too much water, people who have had low functioning nervous systems for a long time can experience some side effects.

Be sure to report these side effects to your chiropractor.... they probably have tricks up their sleeve to alleviate some of the negative effects and help you through. Often when the nervous system's functioning is restored, things lurking in the background can spring to the surface, but the good news is that since your body is healing from the inside out, you don't have to worry that these insidious ailments will come out to get you later in life. Wellness is not a destination, it is a journey. What you do today and the choices you make physically, mentally, spiritually, financially, etc are investments into your health tomorrow. It took a while to drain your health piggy bank, and sometimes, it can take a while to fill it back up. Don't give up!