These are exciting times at our clinic!

If you haven’t been in recently; now’s a good time to give us a call.

First and foremost, we are going beyond chiropractic and are transforming into a full-service Wellness Center.   After 16 years of practice, I’ve come to the realization that achieving true, lasting health (which includes being pain-free, mobile and flexible) is more than getting your spine adjusted and improving your posture.   While this is a good component of a wellness regimen, for some, it is not enough due to pre-existing chronic, systemic problems.

For example, someone who exhibits any form of gastrointestinal deficiency (gas, fullness, reflux) may not be getting adequate nutrient absorption and may therefore not heal properly from, let’s say, a lumbar disc bulge.

Or, someone who has built up toxins in their body over the years from ingesting them through the lungs, skin, and poor food choices may have a difficult time losing weight or fighting chronic fatigue.

In cases like these, nutritional intervention and lifestyle modification are needed to transform the body into a healthier state.  And that, dear patients, is now an integral part of our services.

We will now offer nutritional management of chronic, degenerative diseases such as metabolic syndrome (insulin insensitivity, obesity/excessive weight gain); chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia; cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders such as Chron’s Disease and IBS; and musculoskeletal conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, acute sprain/strains, and bone and joint weakness.   The system we use is Metagenics line of medical foods and nutraceuticals.   Metagenics is the only supplement company that is Triple-GMP (Good Manufacturing Processes) Certified for quality and is only available through health care providers.

Secondly, exercise rehabilitation methods are now emphasized equally to and in some cases, in place of, chiropractic adjustments.  Somatic therapy is specially designed movements that help “break” abnormal, neurologically controlled muscle patterns in the body.  I find that many cases of chronic back pain and stiffness are not just a matter of misaligned vertebrae.  Old injuries and repetitive movements/habits over years can literally program your muscles contract unevenly, resulting in pain and stiffness.  Like a broken record, the brain commands the muscles to maintain this abnormal contraction.  Somatic therapy “de-programs” this and re-sets the muscles to their original state.

Lastly, we will be offering weight loss, body contouring, cellulite reduction, and non-surgical face lifts to improve the outer appearance of the body.  We already have the cellulite reduction services at our location, which is quite popular; the other services will be in place shortly.

In the next few weeks, we will be launching a new website and FaceBook Fan Page, where we will update clients and the public on the latest developments.  An Open House is planned this Summer or early Fall– stay tuned!

Till next time,

Dr. Dan

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The Importance of Vitamin D

by admin on April 26, 2011

Vitamin D is a critical micronutrient that in many ways acts more like a hormone than a vitamin.  It is estimated that 30-50% of the population is low in Vitamin D, which can lead to a myriad of health conditions, including:

  • bone thinning
  • muscle pain and weakness
  • cardiovascular disease
  • diabetes
  • breast and prostate cancer
  • depressed immune system response
  • asthma; wheezing
  • high blood pressure
  • metabolic syndrome
  • fibromyalgia (widespread muscle tenderness)
  • schizophrenia/ seasonal affective disorder/cognitive disorders

Studies show that low levels of Vitamin D are associated with increased mortality (death) across the  board, meaning, all diseases considered.

Your body can make Vitamin D with the help of ultraviolet (UVB) rays from sunshine, but you have to expose your skin to the sun, daily for it to suffice.  This is a problem for those who go from house to car to office; then back, every day.  People who live above 37 degrees N. latitude (that includes San Francisco) during the winter months are at higher risk of developing low Vitamin D levels — one of the reasons why colds and flu are more prevalent during these months.

The liver, kidneys and immune cells play a role in the manufacturing of the biologically active form of Vitamin D, referred to as calcitriol, or 1, 25 Dihydroxy Vitamin D.  So if there are any problems with these organs, it can lead to Vitamin D insufficiency.

Vitamin D occurs naturally in cold water, oily fish such as salmon (avoid farm raised), mackerel and sardines (canned is ok), tuna and eel.  Light-exposed mushrooms are the only vegan sources of Vitamin D.

Factors that can lead to Vitamin D deficiency include:

  • elderly persons
  • sunscreen users
  • diseases of the kidneys, liver, intestines
  • drugs and additives that interfere with fat metabolism (Olestra, bile sequestrant meds)
  • statin (cholesterol-lowering) drugs
  • long term use of anti-convulsive drugs
  • frequent antibiotic use

As you can see, Vitamin D is critical to overall health.  You should have your Vitamin D levels checked periodically to make sure your levels are in the normal range (30-60 ng/mL).  There are numerous studies that show its beneficial effects in protecting against cancer, auto immune diseases, multiple sclerosis, metabolic diseases and depression.

Supplementation can help guarantee that your Vitamin D levels are where they need to be, and are probably required during the winter months for most people who live above the 37th latitude.  You should make sure the brand you choose has the proper potency, is stable enough to withstand delivery, and contains no contaminants.

We carry the Metagenics brand of nutraceuticals that meet all these criteria.  If you are experiencing symptoms associated with low Vitamin D levels, especially the feeling of weak muscles, tender bones, fatigue, and easily get sick make sure to get a blood test to measure your levels of active and inactive Vitamin D.

 

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Needed Reminder of the Dangers of Prescription Medicine

by adminDecember 17, 2010 Prescription Drugs

Image via Wikipedia Have to share this article (abridged) with you all, written by Dr. Joseph Mercola, a medical doctor and popular natural health advocate: Prescription drugs are responsible for an estimated 700,000 ER visits a year* due to adverse drug reactions. And adverse drug reactions from drugs that are properly prescribed and properly administered [...]

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Ten Not Well Known Signs of Heart Attack

by adminDecember 14, 2010 Heart Disease

Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans each year.  This helpful article recently came out.  Please familiarize yourself with these symptoms, whether you have risk factors for heart disease or not. How to Tell if Someone Is Having a Heart Attack Don’t let that happen to you. Here, 10 heart symptoms you’re likely [...]

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New Locations!

by adminOctober 19, 2010 Uncategorized

October 2010 started a new phase in San Francisco Chiropractic. I relocated my main practice a block and a half away to 369 Pine Street (at Montgomery), and opened a smaller satellite office on 447 Sutter Street (at Powell), two blocks from Union Square.  The idea was to geographically split the practice and serve a [...]

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Drugs, Footwear and Fitness Goals Primally Speaking

by adminAugust 16, 2010 Nutrition

Ok, here are the last three core principles of the Primal Blueprint, a lifestyle system that I highly recommend to patients to help reduce pain, increase lean body (muscle) mass, prevent injuries, and even reverse chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and back pain.  The last couple of posts covers this topic, so if you missed [...]

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Primal Blueprint Guidelines Continued

by adminAugust 1, 2010 Exercises

Ok, here are the next three pillars of the Primal Blueprint, a diet/exercise/lifestyle “blueprint” designed to naturally drop excess pounds, increase health, strength, and endurance.  I’m writing about this system because I believe it can help a lot of people overcome chronic health problems, including difficulty losing weight. Regarding weight loss, conventional wisdom (the media, [...]

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Primal Blueprint View on Cardio Exercise

by adminJuly 19, 2010 Nutrition

Cover via Amazon If you’ve missed the previous posts, I’m writing on the core concepts of the Primal Blueprint, a dietary, exercise and lifestyle plan to help maintain optimum health.  PB was conceived by Mark Sisson, an ex-super triathlete who got burned out by following the traditional dietary and exercise routines most people follow:  intense [...]

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Back Surgery Fails Too Often – New Report

by adminJune 8, 2010 Low back pain

This article on Yahoo News caught my eye today.  Americans are spending $86 billion a year for lower back pain treatment, but research finds little evidence that the population got better as spending soared over the last decade. There is an attitude that, with all the fancy, high tech gizmos like digital x-rays and robotic [...]

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Why Frequent Sitting is Bad For Health

by adminMay 1, 2010 Exercises

I ran across this very informative article today.  Everyone pretty much agrees and understands that prolonged sitting is bad for your back.  I’ve been educating patients about this from day one of my career as a chiropractor.  The body is designed to be upright most of the time, and frequently moving.  Sitting disengages the activity [...]

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