Dr. Frisch

 I hope that each of you had a nice Easter Holiday. April showers bring May flowers, but look out for the pot holes! 

Once again, we have to look carefully at the surfaces we are driving upon.  Poor driving conditions, coupled with increasing speeds, puts us all at a greater risk for accidents and injury.  This newsletter provides you new research describing why you feel the way you do after even a minor 'fender bender'.

In addition to this, there will be informative tips on aging better.  These were provided by the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.  Sometimes we simply need to apply what we already know!

I would like to personally thank each of your who wrote to Representative Davids regarding restricting coverage if you are ever injured in an automobile accident.  Several of you sent copies to me of what you had written and I must say, I was very impressed.  You stuck to the important points and personalized each letter.  They were fabulous and you should be proud of yourselves for taking action on your own behalf!

Dr. Frisch

Tips for Healthy Aging

The following ten tips on healthy aging were provided by the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.  I think that they are of value to each of us.  Some of these tips we know and practice, but others we may have forgotten and need a simple reminder.  If you can see stark inadequacies with these rules you are well ahead of the pack, but remember, most people may not do more than 1 or 2 of these!

1. Move it.  A recent study found that women who walked briskly for just two hours a week had 30 % less heart disease than less active women.  Exercise helps to control weight, build bone mass, combat joint pain, lessen the chance of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and colon cancer.  It also lessens the risk of dying prematurely.

2. Watch the Food Intake.  Our metabolism slows as we age.  Calorie needs reduce as well, just to maintain a weight.  Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and cold water fish should all be on the list.

3. Take Vitamins.  Most of us do not get the optimum amount of vitamins we need from food alone.  Experts recommend a daily multivitamin. 

4. Reduce Stress.  Chronic stress weakens the immune system and makes you more vulnerable.  Try keeping a diary, attend support groups, prayer, meditation and yoga.

5. Get a Good Night's Sleep.  Wakeful nights are not a sign of aging, but diseases of aging and medication to treat them may keep you awake.  Also, caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime may interrupt your sleep.  Napping after 4 pm may also be the culprit for a restless night.

6. Get Vaccinated.  Flu causes over 100,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths per year.  Pnuemoccoccus and tetanus vaccines protect you for ten years.  Flu shots should be annual.

7. Wash Your Hands.  Washing your hand is the BEST defense against infection.  Wash before and after handling food.  Wash often with a cold, gardening and even after shaking hands.....wash!

8. Take Care of Your Teeth.  Research has linked gum disease to  an increase in heart disease.  Get a check up every 6 months, floss and brush for 5 minutes DAILY with a fluoride toothpaste.

9. Make Connections.  A 12 year study showed that older adults who socialize increase their life spans almost as much as those who are exercising.  Get involved.

10. Be an Optimist.  If you have negative thought patterns, get rid of them.  Studies have linked depression to heart disease.  Optimistic people live longer, are healthier, tend to exercise more and are generally more fun to be around.   

This is Not a Lobster

This is actually a picture of your neck from the front.  There are no muscles present, so you are just observing bone and the ONE MAJOR LIGAMENT that helps to stabilize your spine.

The Anterior Longitudinal Ligament lies on the front of the spine and helps to stabilize your neck.  In auto accidents, this ligament is commonly injured.  The speed of impact may be less than 10 miles per hour, but the shearing force across the neck injures this ligament.  The neck then becomes 'unstable' and may move around like a slinky.  This is why a 'true whiplash injury' can be difficult to treat and causes the injured person so much pain.

When instability of the neck is allowed to progress without correction, joints lose motion, discs dry out and break down and arthritic bony spurring begins due to improper joint weight-bearing.

A recent study by a group of respected researchers did reveal that injury to this ligament during an accident may lead to chronic neck pain, arthritic changes and disc breakdown.  They also found that at lower speeds, the lower part of the ligament was damaged more, but as the speed of the crash increases, the damage to the ligament moves higher as well

Ivanic, P.C., Pearson, A.M, Panjabi, M.M., Ito, S., Injury to the anterior longitudinal ligament during whiplash simulation. European Spine Journal, 2004. 13: 61-68.

These findings stress even more strongly, the need for quick and aggressive care to the neck after an automobile accident.  The problems don't go away on their own and they do get worse with time.

If you, or someone you know has been involved in an accident, get checked!  The detection is simple and painless.  If present and ignored, in a few years, the problem won't be.

This is Not a Donut

The first vertebra in you neck (C1) may not be a donut, but it certainly looks like one and acts like one as well.  The first vertebra sits on top of the second vertebra and spins on a pedestal. It is held tight to the pedestal by a ligament called the transverse ligament (pictured).  When this ligament is injured some very serious complications can arise.

The transverse ligament is the strongest ligament of any that connect your skull to your neck.  In other words, the transverse ligament is the strongest ligament and controls head position on top of your body.  If this sounds important, that's because it is. 

If the transverse ligament is damaged due to trauma, or missing as is the case with many mongoloid children, force into the area can result in paralysis or even death.  The need for a strong transverse ligament is paramount to being structurally healthy.

A recent study conducted in Western Norway, looked at MRI images of the transverse ligament of 92 individuals who had sustained whiplash trauma to their neck and compared it to 30 normal, healthy, 'control' individuals.

The study showed that in the control group, 22 of 30 had normal transverse ligaments, but in the whiplash injury group, only 32 out of 90 had a normal transverse ligament.

These findings are significant.  The transverse ligament had never been medically correlated to whiplash trauma before.  The chiropractic field has stated for years that whiplash trauma creates injury to this area that requires care, but formal medical studies had either ignored our findings or didn't care to investigate.  I am happy that they have confirmed chiropractic's claims.

A standard chiropractic examination using the Activator Technique evaluates stability to this area each and every visit.  If you are unsure of where the post-trauma, headaches and neck pain are coming from after an accident, call us.  The transverse ligament is likely involved and the neck may need care.  If not, we will be able to tell you that also.

Krakenes, J., Kaale, B., et al, MR analysis of the transverse ligament in the late stage of whiplash injury. Acta Radiologica, 2003. 637-644.

Eileen's Corner

"I'M IN A PINCH, WHAT DO I DO"?

This month is about simple, easy, and fast.  You don't have to be a gourmet cook to make good food that people will enjoy.  

Good food is about flavors that blend, but that are still distinctive in your mouth!

If company is stopping by on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, this simple appetizer works well.  It is light, full of flavor and most kids will like anything that is rolled up or in a tube!

Cream Cheese Rollups

Salami or Pepperoni (full-size rounds).  You can use as many as you like.

1 package of softened cream cheese

1 jar of blackberry or raspberry jam. (not jelly) 

One jar of medium sized green stuffed olives.  

On a piece of salami, spread a light layer of cream cheese, about a 1/2 teaspoon of jam, and then place an olive in the center.

Roll this up and secure with a toothpick.  Place it seam-side down on a place and make as many as you will need.  They can be made the night before, covered, and refrigerated.

This appetizer is almost too simple to be as good as it is.  They always go fast.

With the new 'olive bars' that many large grocery stores now have, you may want to vary this recipe and try 'a citrus-stuffed olive with lemon marmalade', or a garlic-stuffed olive with lemon/orange zest on the cream cheese.  The combinations are endless.

Enjoy!

Eileen

The Internship is Over!

I have completed my internship at the Attorney General's Office and it was a fabulous experience.  I learned several things while I was there that, I know, most people are not aware of:

• The Attorney General's Office represents the citizens of Minnesota as an 'entity', but not as individuals.  This means that the AG's office will not represent you in any individual case, but when there are several legitimate complaints of damage or fraud, they may take action on behalf of the citizens as a whole.  The important thing to remember is that if you have been harmed or defrauded, you should tell the Attorney General's Office.  If they don't know things are happening, they can't take action!

• The people who work at the Attorney General's Office are a very hard working group of people.  They show up for work early and stay late.  Their focus is on you and your well-being.  When and if you do contact them, be kind and courteous.  They can't fix every problem in the world, but they will certainly try.

• If you want to know what is happening at the Attorney General's Office you may go to their website at www.ag.state.mn.us/  They post new material nearly every day.  If you want to know what is happening in the consumer protection area, just click on the consumer protection window.  In this area you can download complaint forms, etc. 

• If you ever use the forms, remember to be honest in your complaint.  They will see right through a biased or malicious complaint made to "try and get someone in trouble".  I know this because I sat in on the meetings!

• If something looks too good to be true it usually is.  When you receive free offers, low interest opportunities, or free checks to cash, be wary, they are usually suspect and often fraudulent.

• Never give your credit card information over the telephone to someone you don't know!  If someone is serious about wanting your business, make them put it in writing FIRST!  When someone calls and tells you that you need to use a credit card to pay a debt you owe on an existing account, be cautious.  They likely want your credit card number.

• Watch your telephone bill closely, fraudulent people may try to reverse charges for a collect call that your answering machine accepts by simply answering the call.  The charges range from $20.00 and up.  This fraud is usually from Africa or Eastern Europe and it is happening more frequently. It even happened in my clinic.  My fax machine apparently accepted a 103 minute telephone call from someone over a weekend and I was charged for it.   If it happens to you, call your telephone carrier and report it and then file a complaint with the AG's Office.

• The Attorney General's website talks about topics like this.  You should check it monthly!  It is to your benefit.

Have a nice month,

Dr. Frisch