Workers Comp, Menopause, and Nutrasweet

Hi Everybody,

WORKER’S COMP RESEARCH TOUTS CHIROPRACTIC OVER MEDICAL CARE AND PHYSICAL THERAPY- A recent study performed by medical researchers and published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, (April 2011, Vol 53 Is4. p: 396-404) concluded that chiropractic was less expensive and more effective for work related low back pain than care provided by medical doctors and physical therapists.  It was also found that those receiving chiropractic care for their problems were less likely to have relapses after care was terminated.

Ironically, and unfortunately, despite all the positive research on chiropractic, political moves by the medical groups continually keeps chiropractic out of the workers comp arena in many areas. In fact, these political moves, despite our track record with helping people and customer satisfaction, tries to limit access to chiropractors, and limits insurance reimbursement to chiropractors to only a fraction of what those same insurance companies will pay to medical doctors and physical therapists.

MENOPAUSE ACCORDING TO CHINESE MEDICINE- According to Chinese medicine, there are two main forces in the body – Yin and Yang. Yin is created by the parasympathetic nervous system (the relax mode system) and the more feminine hormones like estrogen.  Yang is created by the sympathetic nervous system (the fight or flight nervous system) and the more masculine hormones like testosterone. The Yin aspect of the body is cooling and moistening and nourishing. The Yang aspect of the body is more heating and drying and aggressive.

The problem in menopause is that the Yin aspect diminishes which allows the Yang aspect to dominate. As a result, the heating and drying aspect of the Yang energy of the body overwhelms the cooling, nourishing and moistening Yin energy of the body. The end result is hot flashes, anxiety, palpitations and dryness.

When using acupuncture and especially Chinese medicine, treatment is geared around rebuilding the Yin energy of the body so that it can better balance out the Yang side, making menopause a much smoother transition period.

ASPARTAME (NUTRASWEET) SAFETY STUDY- There has been an ongoing debate for years over the safety of NutraSweet (aspartame). Proponents say it is a tasty alternative to sugar, detractors say it is neurotoxic and dangerous.

A new study, published in the September edition of the Journal of Bioscience found that in as little as 90 days, albino rats given a daily dose of aspartame began to develop brain damage.

This is not the first study, by far, to propose neurological damage to the brain due to exposure to aspartame. However, most of these studies have been done on rats and other animals, so you will have to decide for yourself what you believe about human exposure. Until we know for sure one way or the other though, I really would advise limiting your children’s exposure, at least.

Hope this helps,

Dr Matt and Dr Robin (email)

This week’s bit of Useless Information:  If you take a nap after learning something new, it can help you to remember what you learned. 


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