Dixon Center would like to recognize the anniversary of the first open heart surgery by welcoming John H. Dixon Jr., M.D. to speak on
Tuesday, July 26^th from 6:30-7:3Opm.

Dr. Dixon is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute. Dr. Dixon has earned fellowship privileges from both the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.

Healthy Heart Discussion Topics:

· Risk Factor Prevention

    (family history, age, medical conditions)

· Primary Prevention

    (Metabolic Syndrome- diet, weight control, exercise habits)

· Secondary Prevention

    (what to do following heart disease diagnosis)

Q&A opportunity will follow lecture.

Light refreshments will be served.  To reserve your seat call: 

615.646.1003

I am a licensed Massage Therapist established for (almost) 9 years. I work on a wide variety of people ranging from newborns to geriatrics concerning ailments including spasms, carpal tunnel, frozen shoulders, and especially headaches, but most commonly STRESS. We live in a world full of stress and it affects us in different ways depending on our personality, job, activity level, and stagnancy. Because massage enhances physical, mental, and emotional stress relief, it can aid clients in moving into a relaxed state, allowing a break from the stress of the daily grind.

I have studied basic massage, Prenatal, reflexology, Sports Massage, Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST), Swedish, Deep Tissue, Lymphatic drainage and Myofascial release as well as several active/passive isolated stretching and general soft tissue release techniques. These all help to improve circulation, reduce stiffness and general tension in the muscles, as well as lengthen and open restricted areas; Cranial sacral and lymphatic drainage modalities balance biomechanical flow patterns that offer a sort of physical tune up, especially relating to the organs. My favorite modality is Neuromuscular therapy, which creates balance between the central nervous system and the musculoskelatal system by changing the way the brain processes pain. Neuromuscular therapy alleviates ailments by identifying six pain triggers ( Ischemia,Trigger Points, Nerve Compression, Whiplash, Postural Distortion, and Biomechanical Dysfunction) and applying concise pressure to the area.

In general, massage is one of the most common forms of healing which has been around for more than 6000 years. In fact there are even cave paintings dating back to 15K B.C. that depict massage. Think about it, your head hurts, the first thing you do is rub your eyes or temples or forehead hoping for relief. There are many causes and reasons as to why we get headaches. The causes can range from eye strain to sinus infections, repetitive motions to whiplash, or posture and body mechanics. What massage does for the headache sufferer is offer relief. Massage can drain the sinus build up that creates pressure. It can open up soft tissue/fascial restrictions and allow the muscles to elongate and release metabolic waste and other toxin build up that impede circulation and flow. It quiets the mind and slows thought patterns that show up as tension in our necks and shoulders creating headaches. Massage gives a mother that much needed "time out" away from her emotional stress and permission to check in with herself to release headaches. Massage also helps to release physical and mental trauma that an auto accident victim suffers. So whether it’s physical strain, mental anxiety, emotional trauma or plain old stress causing your headache there is a massage modality that can provide relief. Call today for a consultation!

Tanya Gattis, LMT

Headaches

Headaches are very, very common.  There are a vast number of possible causes for headaches, ranging from very benign and easily treatable, to emergencies requiring immediate referral.  Simply said, it’s best not to let headaches go without having them evaluated by a health care professional skilled in differentiating between the types of headaches.

Types of headaches typically include:  cervicogenic (headache generated from the neck), migraine (headache primarily related to the nervous and vascular systems), tension (a less clear version of migraine-like, possibly stress- or medication-related, or muscular headache), and cluster (headache, usually felt behind the eye, triggered by alcohol or certain foods, probably caused by imbalance of the autonomic nervous system or involved with the trigeminal cranial nerve).

Most headaches have at least some contribution from the neck.  There is plenty of true research[1] and meta-analysis evidence to suggest that the neck is a primary cause of the vast majority of headaches, and that chiropractic care can provide quick and very effective relief.

Headaches can usually be treated very effectively by the services provided by Dixon Center.  For the other, more emergent cases, we can determine the need for immediate or medical referral, and otherwise begin treatment as appropriate.  Call today for an evaluation!  646-1003

–Adam Dixon, DC

[1]Becker, WJ.  Headache. 2010 Apr;50(4):699-705

How doctors match you up with the right pillow for you

Finding the right orthopedic pillow has become pretty confusing task these days - especially in a marketplace full of choices and a lot of hype pitching "one size fits most" solutions. Just ask your doctor and you'll learn that, from a health perspective, that's not quite the case.

Several factors are involved. Before a health professional makes a recommendation from among a selection of displacement and supportive style pillows, it's important to determine with the desired end benefit, to: Accommodate, Correct or Maintain the patient's condition and stage of care. These are the principles on which Core Products' TriCare: Circle of Health Pillow Selection Guide is based.

We've created a color-coded system to help health professionals and their patients identify which Core pillows are suitable for the patient's stage of care. Accommodation and correction represent two stages of a three-stage system of care. The third stage, maintenance, fulfills a circle of health.

The "circle" aspect of the TriCare system allows a person to enter at any stage. People manage their health care in different ways and may take different ways to address problems or maintain healthy necks and backs. The circular nature of the TriCare figure shows the three stages of care - accommodate, correct and maintain - and represents the continuous nature of good health.

You'll see the words Accommodate, Correct and Maintain - as well as their associated color symbols - wherever we talk about pillows throughout the web site. And you'll probably notice that - under proper direction - some are suitable for more than one stage of care. Please consult with your health professional to determine which pillow is right for you.

ACCOMODATE

Relieves pain or discomfort by conforming to and stabilizing a new or existing injury or condition . Provides comfort, but does little to correct the condition. Typically for short-term use.

When a neck injury or condition is acute (serious or to an intense degree, like whiplash or a significant sprain or strain), the doctor's goal is to relieve a patient's pain and discomfort before beginning treatment. What's needed is to stabilize and accommodate the condition before moving forward. The same is true for other neck injuries or at the onset of many common problems which affect the head and neck. Displacement pillows work well at this stage because they conform to the condition and provide immediate comfort.

CORRECT

Helps correct the cause of pain, supports treatment to regain proper function.

At this stage, orthopedic pillows are often prescribed to assist in correct the diagnosed condition and to help the patient regain proper function. Allows tissue to heal functionally. Prepares for the maintenance stage. Corrective pillows can help alleviate headaches, neck muscle and joint strains, arthritis and whiplash discomfort and help restore proper nerve function. Supportive pillows are used in this stage of care.

MAINTAIN

Complements care to help prevent recurrence/progression. Pillows selected for the Maintain Stage should ensure continued good health by helping preserve the natural curvature of the neck and spine. For ideal maintenance, the pillow should provide maximum support and comfort. In fact, most people discover that once the normal curvature of the neck is restored, they crave the comfort of maximum support - the reason supportive pillows have grown more popular. Supportive pillows are used in this stage of care.

We hope Core's TriCare: Circle of Health Pillow Selection Guide has been helpful and will serve you well, whether you are a patient talking with your health professional...or vice versa. Here's to your health!

About Mediflow® Inc.

Since 1994, Mediflow® Inc. has had a great reputation within the health care community for developing the Waterbase® pillow - an effective water filled pillow for reducing neck pain and improving quality of sleep. If you've tried every different therapeutic and memory foam pillow on the market, and you can't seem to find the right memory foam pillow for your needs, it's time to think outside of the foam to improve your quality of sleep.

For people who suffer from constant tossing and turning, neck or back pain or even sleep apnea, a basic memory foam neck pillow simply won't cut it. Most neck pain and sleep apnea pillows come with one-firmness fits all memory foam. This memory foam may be too firm or too soft depending on your personal preference. If you're searching for a neck pain or sleep apnea pillow that can be customized to fit your level of comfort and improve the quality of sleep, the Mediflow® Waterbase® pillow is the solution that you have been looking for.

The Mediflow® Waterbase® pillow’s reputation has been enhanced with the publication of a clinical study conducted at world-famous Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. The study, which was the only one of its kind done on pillows, concluded that the Mediflow® Waterbase® pillow was more effective than any other pillow tested (foam pillows included) to improve the quality of sleep and reduce neck pain in subjects suffering from chronic neck pain

In 2006, after many years of successful growth in the medical market, Mediflow®  decided to offer the Waterbase®  pillow to the American retail market for the first time. Since its introduction, millions have been sold. These innovative, water filled pillows have been accepted by leading retailers across the United States.

Memory foam pillows provide good neck support

Made of material that was first developed by NASA in the 1960s, memory foam pillows are made out of specially treated polyurethane that is designed to retain its initial shape after a night of use. As you can guess, the major advantage of memory foam pillows is that they're extremely supportive, which makes them a good option for people with back or neck problems. SleepLikeTheDead.com says memory foam pillows are an especially good choice for side sleepers, who "like how the pillow does not cause their nose to sink into it as is often the case with fibrous and down pillows."

Related Searches

Decorative Pillows

Orthopedic Pillows

Foam Pillows

Pillow Covers

One aspect of memory foam pillows that may take some getting used to is their sensitivity to temperature, which is what gives them their "contouring" properties: They're firmer when cold and less firm when warm. The problem is that these pillows don't breathe, meaning they retain body heat, and we've read some reports that they sleep "hotter" than natural cotton or down pillows. Another issue is what experts call "off-gassing," the tendency of new memory foam pillows to emit an unpleasant, chemical odor that can persist for days or weeks. Also, memory foam pillows tend to lose their ability to retain their shape after months or years of use, though some brands are seem more reliable than others. The most well known brand is Tempur-Pedic, but you can find less expensive memory foam pillows at big-box stores.

Memory foam pillows are more resistant to dust mites than other varieties because, as SleepLikeTheDead.com points out, "dust mites tend not to like to eat memory foam." Otherwise, experts say, memory foam pillows are hypoallergenic and anti-microbial.

May is Posture Month at the Dixon Center, and to help you assess your posture, we have provided a simple test you can do at home. Download the Posture Quiz here.

Stand-up with your hands to your side and have someone take your photo, or use your camera phone to snap a self-portrait, then score your posture on the worksheet.  Feel free to bring your score card in to discuss with one of the Doctors at the Dixon Center.

Do any of the following apply to you?

Ask yourself the following questions. If you answer yes, Dixon Center can help!

1. Does the writing on your shirt not line up straight?
2. Do you notice that your head tilts to one side in pictures?
3. Do you notice uneven wear on a part of your shoe(s)?
4. Stand with your back against the wall. Do your head, shoulder blades, buttocks and heels all touch the wall? They should.

May is National Correct Posture Month, and it seems mom was even right about standing up straight. From athletes like Soul Surfer Bethany Hamilton who works with a postural
alignment therapist to the thousands of people with back pain and muscle aches being helped by Certified Posture Exercise Professionals, strengthening posture is important.  Improving your posture is not just about looking good. Studies show people with better posture really are healthier and actually live longer.  From kids with backpacks or cane-carrying seniors---studies show poor posture is a major cause of back and neck pain for all ages, and over time often contributes to digestive and cardio-pulmonary problems.

Here's three things to help keep you standing tall. Take a posture picture, do
posture strengthening exercises and have smart posture habits.

1- Take an Annual posture picture to set the benchmark for YOUR body. Ask a friend to take your picture from the front, back and side. Print them out, one to a sheet, and look at your body symmetry. Just comparing posture pictures from year to year can be eye-opening. You can assess your alignment by putting a dot between your feet on the front and back view, and at your ankle on the side view. Then, fold each paper in half neatly at the dot.

FRONT & BACK VIEW: The two halves of your body should be the same. If your head and/or torso is off to one side, or your arms are hanging differently, your posture is not symmetrical.

SIDE VIEW: The line from your ankle should pass thru your shoulder and ear. If your head is way forward of that line, you may have a posture distortion called Forward Head Posture (FHP)

File your posture picture and compare it to a new one next year.

2- DO Posture Strengthening Exercises to maximize the benefit of any workout, or as a beginning exercise to get in shape. Yoga, Tai-Chi and Pilates are all great for building body awareness and control, along with the new StrongPosture™ exercise programs from Dr. Steven Weiniger, author of the book Stand Taller~Live Longer, An Anti-Aging Strategy: 10 Minutes a Day to Keep Your Body Active and Pain-Free.  The first StrongPosture exercises Dr. Weiniger recommends are the Stork for strengthening balance and WallStand to strengthen alignment.

Best Posture STORK: Train yourself to stand tall while building good posture by balancing on one foot. First, stand tall with your best posture, and then focus on staying tall and straight as you lift your thigh so your knee is at hip height. Keep standing tall for 30 seconds on each side, focusing on keeping your body well aligned.

Vertical WALLSTAND: Back up to a wall so your heels, buttocks, shoulders and head all lightly touch the wall while you keep everything level, relaxed and aligned-- and take 3 slow breaths, feeling your body’s best posture. Note: If you feel any areas of stress, get your posture checked by a professional.

3-Choose Smart Posture Habits

Get a good chair, and change position during the day. If you're going to play videogames, exercise more than your thumbs with games that makes you move such as the the motion sensing Nintendo Wii or Xbox Kinect. Invest in quality shoes, and consider using a shoe insert or orthotic, especially if you've had foot problems.  If you have back pain, neck soreness, or other posture problem--- or want to find out how strengthening your posture can improve sports performance (ie golf, tennis, baseball) and wellness-- help is available. Consult a Certified Posture Exercise Professional or other chiropractor, PT or massage therapists trained to analyze posture pictures and teach individualized posture exercise routines for pain management and wellness.

Your posture is how the world sees you, and a bit of effort at strengthening your posture is an anti-aging habit to make you look and feel better, avoid injury and exercise effectively to stay active and age well.

New Rules To Eating Right

Over the past several years traditional dietary rules have changed – Nutrition has taken on a new approach! “Making the right food choices, building a better personal food pyramid, and planning meals are among the many options you now have to aid you on your path to better nutrition and make your personal diet work for you”, says Dr. Dixon, of Dixon Center for Integrative Healthcare. Dr. Dixon recommends some simple rules to follow on your path to better health through nutrition.

“We now have a weight loss program that is personalized to help meet your needs, Jennifer Dible, FNP works with each patient to customize a nutrition plan that will complement their weight loss program”, says Dr. Dixon.

 Don’t call it a diet

• Find what works for you – An eating plan for life

Limit Processed Foods

• Choose whole fruits, vegetables, meats, fish and dairy

Don’t focus on calories alone

• Calorie counting doesn’t account for what your body does with them once they are consumed

Limit Carbohydrates

• Fill up on Carbs that do not spike your blood sugar such as black beans, leafy vegetables and whole grains

Eat organic, local or grass-fed animal products

• If you don’t eat meat get adequate protein from tofu, nuts, beans and low-sugar dairy

Eat vegetables at every meal

• Leafy and brightly colored vegetables are also great sources of fiber and complex carbohydrates

Do snack – but choose healthy

• Low carbohydrate foods such as nuts, cheese plain yogurt, berries and apples

Eat fruit – don’t drink it

• Apples, cherries, grapefruit, plums, pears, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries. Fruit juice can have the same effect on your blood sugar as Soda and other sweetened beverages

Saturated fat in moderation is ok

• Eat foods rich in omega-3s and vary your diet to include, beef, poultry, fish, game, pork, eggs and plant-based protein like soybeans

Cook at home

• Processed foods and simple carbs are usually not the main ingredients in high-quality recipes. Invest in good cookbooks or take classes, these tools can help make cooking at home more approachable.

If you are interested in obtaining more information about the Weight Loss Program at Dixon Center, please call our office today to schedule a consultation or click here for programs and pricing.

Dixon Center
Nurse Practitioner Services

Jennifer Dible, FNP

• Urgent care/walk-in

o Upper respiratory infections (colds, flu, sore throat...)

o Bladder infections

o Pregnancy tests

o Acute injuries

o Some primary care needs—may fill in for PCP (ex: patient cannot get into PCP and needs refill on BP med...)

• Weight Loss Management

o Prescription appetite suppressants (phentermine) when medically appropriate.

o Lipotropic Injections

o B12 injections

• Lifestyle Management

o Nutrition counseling

o Lifestyle counseling

• Acute/Interventional pain management

o Trigger point injections

o Steroid injections

o Joint Injections

o Medication when clinically appropriate

An old Chinese proverb states, “Only when one cannot sleep does one know how long the night is.” Anyone who’s ever experienced an occasional bout with insomnia – and that’s most of us – can relate to this all too well.

In fact, surveys have shown that between 40 and 60 percent of the general population has trouble sleeping. Daily stress and worries, pressures from job and family, body aches and pains caused by uncomfortable beds or pillows, and a host of other issues can keep a person from getting enough quality sleep.

Sleep is critical to good health and functioning, so lack of it is a serious matter. “Sleep is one of the most important functions of the brain,” says Dr. Andrew Dixon, of Dixon Center.  Through it, our bodies recharge and renew for the next day’s challenges.

As wellness experts, doctors of chiropractic can provide patients with a different approach to their sleeping problems – without the use of sleeping pills, which leave many people in a mental haze the next morning. To start, here are a few helpful tips I would recommend for the sleepless in Nashville.

• Exercise regularly. Exercising in the morning is best, but if you must    exercise in the evening, do so at least two or three hours before bedtime. Any later, and your increased heart rate can interfere with your sleep.

• Limit your intake of caffeinated beverages such as coffee, colas and tea – try to avoid them altogether late in the day and near bedtime. In addition, for each cup of caffeinated beverages you drink each day, drink an equal amount of water.

• If you have trouble sleeping and then get thirsty, drink tap water at room temperature (cold water may disturb the digestive system).

• Eat an early dinner. Eating after 6p.m. may interfere with sleep as your body works to digest the food you’ve eaten.

Sleeping Positions play a role in how you feel the next day.

General guidelines for sleeping:

• Sleep so that your back is in a neutral position. The neutral position keeps the back in its natural 3 front-to-back curves that give the spine an “S” shape.

• Use a towel roll to support your lower back or place a pillow under your knees when sleeping on your back.

• Place a pillow between your knees when sleeping on your side.

• Place a pillow under knees if desired when sleeping on your back.

To rise from bed:

• Roll onto your side and bend both knees.
• Drop your feet over the side of the bed as you push with both arms to sit up.
• Scoot to the edge of the bed and position your feet under your buttocks.
• Stand up, keeping your back in the neutral position.

Position to avoid:

• Sleeping on your stomach should be avoided

• Puts strain on neck and low back.

• Position can undo or decrease the progress of your adjustments and chiropractic care.

Being Heart Smart is important.

You should be aware of the different types of heart disease and the risk indicators.

While cholesterol levels are important, we now know that these levels are not completely influenced by the foods we eat.  Greater influences are family history and obesity. 

Other areas to examine are:

• High Blood Pressure ("Hypertension") - One third of all adults have high blood pressure.  Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg.  High Blood Pressure puts a tremendous strain on the heart.  Even a slight decrease in blood pressure can reduce cardiovascular risks by 10 percent.
• Inflammation - Chronic or low-level inflammation can lead to atherosclerosis, or the build up to plaque in the inner lining of the arteries.
• Homocysteine is an amino acid found in your blood - A high level or too much homocysteine may increase your risk to heart disease.
• Insulin resistance - A pre-diabetic condition with the increase of glucose or sugar level in the blood.
• These factors may show no symptoms or warning signs, which is why it's so important to have regular health screenings.  The good news is that much of this can be controlled through diet and exercise - and by limiting your intake of alcohol, sugar and unhealthy fats.

Remember the Ultimate Reward
A Longer Healthier Life! 

Welcome to ChiroHealth USA!

If you are considering joining ChiroHealth USA, you are among a growing number of people who are finding themselves uninsured, under-insured, or with limitations in their health plan.

Some state and federal regulations prohibit doctors from reducing fees or giving away services.  Doctors are usually required to charge insurance companies and patients the same fees unless they are under a network contract for a lower fee.  ChiroHealth USA is a contracted network that allows doctors to set and accept discounts on their services for our members.  When you join the ChiroHealth USA program, you are entitled to similar "in-network" discounts just like the insurance companies.  Your doctor is a member of this growing network of healthcare professionals who are dedicated to helping you get the care you need at a fee you can afford.

How does it work?

Simple!  Your provider has entered into a contract with ChiroHealth USA to accept discounted fees or charges from their "usual customary and reasonable" (UCR) charges.  By joining the ChiroHealth USA program, you immediately become a member of ChiroHealth USA and are eligible to enjoy these discounted fees.  Your membership is just $39.00 a year and it includes you and your dependents.

Upon completion of the application, your provider will collect the enrollment fee and submit it to us for processing.  Your membership card will arrive in a matter of days.

 Can I use ChiroHealthUSA with my insurance?

Yes - if permitted by your health plan, and only for non-covered services or when benefits are exhausted.   Fees you pay for non-covered services do not typically apply to any deductible or any out of pocket maximums you may be subject to under your health plan.  Refer to your insurance plan or administrator for more information.

Are there times when my ChiroHealth USA card reduces my out of pocket expense?

Yes - but that will depend on your insurance policy.

Your payment using your ChiroHealth USA discount card may be lower than your insurance policy copayment.

Payment using your ChiroHealth USA discount card may be lower until you have met your insurance policy's yearly deductible.  Payment using your ChiroHealth USA discount card will not apply to your deductible.

Refer to your insurance plan or administrator for more information.

If I decide to change chiropractors, can I use ChiroHealth USA in their clinic?

Your ChiroHealth USA membership will be honored by any ChiroHealth USA participating provider.  Fees and discounts offered may vary.

Does ChiroHealth USA membership include my family?

Yes - Your membership includes you and your dependents.

How Will I know I have received the discounts allowable as a ChiroHealth USA member?

Most providers bill their normal fees and show a "contractual discount" on their receipts or bills.  Others may have the ChiroHealth USA fee schedule and/or discounts posted in their clinic.  Fees and discounts are explained at the time of enrollment.  We maintain copies of our contracted providers' fees for verification of discounts upon member request.

Disclosures:

This discount medical plan is NOT insurance, a health insurance policy or Medicare prescription drug plan.  This plan (The Plan) provides discounts only on chiropractic services offered by providers who have agreed to participate in The Plan.  The range of discounts for medical or ancillary services offered under The Plan will vary depending on the type of provider and products or services.  The Plan does not make and is prohibited from making members' payments to providers for products or services received under The Plan.  The member is required and obligated to pay for all discounted chiropractic services and equipment received under The Plan, but will receive a discount on certain identified chiropractic services from providers in The Plan. 

You can call our office today for more information on this plan or stop by the front desk.

New acupuncture patient?

You can have unlimited visits in January for $250.

Click on the links below to read about our staff acupuncturist, Brian Wilson, L.Ac and learn about the benefits of Acupuncture Therapy. Call today to schedule your appointment or inquire if this therapy is right for you. 

http://dixoncenter.com/custom_content/c_138791_brian_wilson_lac.html   

All in-stock products are 15% off during the month of December. Check out our unique gift list for ideas!

Acupuncture – 50% off initial visit ($42.50 discount)

Base Price

$85 per visit

Massage – Get an additional ½ hour for only $25

Base Prices

$35 for 30 minutes

$65 for 1 hour

$95 for 90 minutes

Attention Patients with Health Savings Plans!

The end of the year is approaching fast and if you have remaining funds in your HSA that you need to use –

Dixon Center has several options including:

*Pre-paid Chiropractic Treatment Packages for next year

*Massage Gift Certificates

*Acupuncture Gift Certificates

*All Products for Sale with Additional 15% off this month!

We encourage you to give yourself or your family the

Gift of Health this holiday season and New Year!

Please see the front desk if you have any questions.

Osteoporosis Drugs, Bisphosphonates Linked To Rare Thigh Bone Fracture Risk

On October 13th, the FDA released a "warning" on all bisphosphonate medications such as Boniva and Fosamax. Most of you are aware of the stand we in the alternative health field have taken against these types of drugs.  We have been warning people for years that these drugs actually cause the bones to become brittle.  We now have proof. 

Here is an excerpt from an article posted by "Medical News Today":

A subtrochanteric femoral fracture, an uncommon type of thigh bone fracture is more common among patients with osteoporosis who receive bisphosphonate medications, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has warned. The FDA says the warning has been issued because patients with this rare type of femoral fracture are predominantly those taking bisphosphonates.

The femoral fracture risk will be added to the labels of bisphosphonates drugs administered to osteoporosis patients, the FDA adds. When patients pick up their prescription, they will also be informed of this risk in their medication guide.

Remember that the best prevention for Osteoporosis is eliminating sodas from your diet (they rob the bones of calcium) and eat calcium rich foods such as dark, leafy greens and raw almonds, as well as supplementing with a good Calcium/Magnesium/Vit D .  In addition, the body can only absorb a certain amount of calcium at one time so spread your dose to two or three times a day. Try Nature's Sunshine's Skeletal Strength, Calcium Magnesium Syner-Pro or their Liquid Calcium.

In most countries, people get far less calcium in their diets than we do here in the U.S. yet we have a significantly higher rate of Osteoporosis!!  You are what you eat and drink, folks!!  One of the best things you can do for your bones is put down that soft drink and go do some light, weight bearing exercise.

Leslie Shew, ND, CTN, CNC
Certified Life Strategies Coach
www.synergymindandbodywellness.com

"Let your food be your medicine, let your medicine be your food". Hippocrates

Stocking Stuffers and Gift Ideas

(These items and any in-stock products are 15% off during the month of December)

1. Biofreeze is a topical analgesic pain relieving gel. The main ingredient in this product is menthol, so it gives the affected area a cooling, and soothing sensation.

2. Cryoderm is a topical analgesic pain relieving gel. Cryoderm also has menthol as its main ingredient, but cryoderm also contains arnica and boswella.  These ingredients help to reduce inflammation and bruising.    

3. Tens Unit is a portable electric muscle stimulation device that feels a lot like the electric muscle stimulation that we use in the office. This product is perfect to use in between office visits, and can be used for sore muscles, backache, neck pain, inflammation, tendonitis, and headaches.

4. Local Honey, we sell both the dark and the light varieties of honey. The dark has a bolder flavor. Our honey is local, meaning that it is grown within 30 miles of our office. Honey is a great alternative to table sugar and can also be used to reduce the symptoms that come with seasonal allergies.

5. Water Pillow, is a pillow that aids in keeping the neck in its natural "C" curve during sleep. You simply fill up the pillow with your desired amount of water and you never have to buy another pillow again!

6. Lumbar Chair Support Pillow/Back Support that is used to bring extra support and help keep the back in correct posture during sitting. These supports can easily be taken from the car to the office to the sofa!

7. Memory Foam Pillow, is a pillow that is meant to bring firm support to the neck during sleep. The memory foam pillow is designed to mold around the neck, and hold its shape.

8. Tri-Core Pillow, is a pillow that is unique in that it is meant for sleepers who sleep on their backs and their sides. This pillow allows for those transitions to be easier without sleep disruption. This pillow also helps keep the natural "C" curve in the neck during sleep.

9. Exercise Ball, is a product that we recommend for patients who want to start an exercise program. The exercise ball is meant to keep the back supported during exercise, therefore reducing the risk for injury.

10. Sombra Warming Gel is a topical pain relieving gel. The main ingredient in this gel is also menthol; however Sombra gel has added ingredients that give the affected area a warming sensation. This product aids in the relief of sore tight muscles.

The Benefits of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Inflammation

A Modern Day Plague

Did you know that eating an “Anti-Inflammatory Diet” can help reduce inflammation and its symptoms?

Chronic inflammation is usually a result of how we live.  The modern diet is comprised of fats, sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and chemicals that can injure the body’s cells and tissues.  Many health concerns have been linked to inflammation such as:

  v   Heart Disease, even with a normal cholestoral level, you can still have a heart attack.

  v   Auto-Immune Diseases, including RA, Psoriasis, Osteoporosis and Eczema

  v   Aging skin

  v   Irritable Bowel, if your body is out of balance your digestive track becomes inflamed causing digestive problems

  v   Obesity, your body and brain can become resistant to the normal effects of Leptin, insulin, and coritsol, which spark weight gain

  v   Diabetes

  v   High Blood Pressure results in stiffening of arteries

  v   Depression, energy is used for fighting a losing battle of inflammation, taking energy away from “happy” chemicals, like serotonin

Fortunately there are things that you can do to reduce inflammation!  

  v   Chiropractic Benefits your body by helping to remove fluid buildup which allows blood to flow more freely

  v   Eating anti-inflammation foods which consist of fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, Vitamin E and foods high in Antioxidants

  v   Chocolate?  Yes, Chocolate.  Cocoa and dark chocolate are powerful anti-inflammatory foods!

Learn more about the Anti-Inflammation Diet by joining us on November 16, 2010 from 6:30-7:30 as Josh Perkins, a representative from Xocai will speak about the effects of inflammation on the body, and how easy it is to start eating an “Anti-Inflammatory Diet!”

Source:  Steven E. Warren, MD, DPA

Did Someone Say Stress?

The holidays are here!  For many this is a very stressful time.  Along with the holiday season our modern life is full of pressure, stress and frustration.  Worrying about your job security, being overworked, and driving in rush-hour traffic, arguing with your spouse— all these create stress. According to a recent survey by the American Psychology Association, fifty-four percent of Americans are concerned about the level of stress in their everyday lives and two-thirds of Americans say they are likely to seek help for stress.  Your bodies’ response to stress can have a long term affect on your body and cause many health problems.  Dixon Center offers many alternatives to stress relief such as, regular chiropractic care, massage and acupuncture.  Click here for additional information and to learn how Dixon Center can help you through this stress filled season!

The Stress Response

Often referred to as the “fight-or-flight” reaction, the stress response occurs automatically when you feel threatened.  Your body’s fight-or-flight reaction has strong biological roots.  It’s there for self-preservation. This reaction gave early humans the energy to fight aggressors or run from predators and was important to help the human species survive.  But today, instead of protecting you, it may have the opposite effect.  If you are constantly stressed you may actually be more vulnerable to life-threatening health problems.

Any sort of change in life can make you feel stressed, even good change.  It’s not just the change or event itself, but also how you react to it that matters.  What may be stressful is different for each person.  For example, one person may not feel stressed by retiring from work, while another may feel stressed. 

How stress affects your body

When you experience stress, your pituitary gland responds by increasing the release of a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). When the pituitary sends out this burst of ACTH, it’s like an alarm system going off deep inside your brain.  This alarm tells your adrenal glands, situated atop your kidneys, to release a flood of stress hormones into your bloodstream, including cortisol and adrenaline.  These stress hormones cause a whole series of physiological changes in your body, such as increasing your heart rate and blood pressure, shutting down your digestive system, and altering your immune system.  Once the perceived threat is gone, the levels of cortisol and adrenaline in your bloodstream decline, and your heart rate and blood pressure and all of your other body functions return to normal. 

If stressful situations pile up one after another, your body has no chance to recover. This long-term activation of the stress-response system can disrupt almost all your body’s processes.  Some of the most common physical responses to chronic stress are experienced in the digestive system.  For example, stomach aches or diarrhea are very common when you’re stressed. This happens because stress hormones slow the release of stomach acid and the emptying of the stomach. The same hormones also stimulate the colon, which speeds the passage of its contents.

Chronic stress tends to dampen your immune system as well, making you more susceptible to colds and other infections. Typically, your immune system responds to infection by releasing several substances that cause inflammation.  Chronic systemic inflammation contributes to the development of many degenerative diseases.

 Stress has been linked with the nervous system as well, since it can lead to depression, anxiety, panic attacks and dementia. Over time, the chronic release of cortisol can cause damage to several structures in the brain.  Excessive amounts of cortisol can also cause sleep disturbances and a loss of sex drive. The cardiovascular system is also affected by stress because there may be an increase in both heart rate and blood pressure, which may lead to heart attacks or strokes.

How Dixon Center Can Help

Regular Chiropractic care can help your body maintain calm by targeting your immune system which directly affects your digestive and nervous systems.

Massage….Massage not only allows the muscles to function normally, but also increases mobility, flexibility and blood flow thus relieving general tension and stress.  What helps to heal the body can also relax the mind and soothe the soul.

 Acupuncture….The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture's effectiveness for over 40 common disorders such as stress, respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, psycho emotional and neurological disorders.

Call us today for a free consultation!

Breast Cancer - Can Chiropractic Care Help?
by Dr. Adam

It is quite stunning to think that we are already plunging into October 2010. Many of us expected that solar-powered flying cars would rule the transit system by now, and that magic remedies would be available for about any condition imaginable. How nice it would be to have everything we wanted in the blink of an eye, to eat anything we desire, and to live our lives in any way we please.

The unfortunate truth is that we are as far from that ideal as we have ever been. If we had such an easy remedy, we would not be plagued with so many health problems, nor would we be currently locked in a health care crisis. Just about everything we have, including our health, is hard-earned. For the most part, we are dependent on our own daily decisions to determine the state of our health. Many of us, however, have done all the right things, but have simply been hit with bad luck, because of our genetics or otherwise.

This is why it is so crucial to increase the public's awareness of breast cancer, and to fund research on better treatments for those diagnosed with breast cancer. We must also raise awareness about what we can do to help prevent breast cancer: maintain a healthy weight, stay physically active, limit alcohol consumption, and schedule visits with our doctor especially if we notice any breast changes. It is also important to stay educated on the research, such as the risks of pesticides, unnecessary antibiotics, and long-term use of hormone therapy regarding breast cancer.

These are essential not only for breast cancer prevention, but also for being healthier in general. The daily lifestyle decisions we make impact our long-term health in ways that are often less easily identified. Chiropractors are trained to recognize many of these patterns and coach patients on how to nip them in the bud. This is why many refer to their chiropractor as their "life coach."

While chiropractic care is not a direct treatment or cure for breast cancer, our goal is to improve the quality and quantity of life for our patients. Our nutritional and exercise advice is perfectly in line with the known ways to help prevent not just cancer, but also diabetes, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, the leading causes of death in America. Chiropractic care can reduce blood pressure, reduce pain, increase balance, help prevent falls, and keep people active even in their later years.

Chiropractic adjustments alone sometimes surprise us with mysterious beneficial effects. Overall, patients tend to adopt a more positive mental attitude as a result of chiropractic care, even when received on a maintenance basis. Studies show that the diagnosis of cancer and its treatment can wreak havoc on anyone's psyche , and a positive mentality is very helpful to prevent anxiety, depression, and a lower overall quality of life . Hence the chiropractic niche in helping with breast cancer treatment.

Although often dubbed "alternative care," chiropractic is rapidly becoming more mainstream and is compatible with other forms of health care. When a patient sees a chiropractor, it does not mean that he or she has to stop seeing medical doctors. In fact, the chiropractors at Dixon Center of Chiropractic encourage our patients to keep those appointments. We will work closely with other healthcare practitioners to provide our patients with the full arsenal of options available to help them live a happier, healthier life. It's just what we do.

Mayo Clinic staff. "Breast cancer prevention: Lifestyle factors that can reduce risk." Retrieved Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Klikovac T, and Djurdjevic A. "Psychological aspects of the cancer patients' education: thoughts, feelings, behavior and body reactions of patients faced with diagnosis of cancer." J BUON. 2010 Jan-Mar;15(1):153-6. Retrieved Wednesday, September 15, 2010.

Zenger, M., et al. "Pessimism Predicts Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Female Cancer Patients." Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2010 Sep 6. Abstract, retrieved Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Read about Dr. Adam Dixon   http://dixoncenter.com/custom_content/c_40240_dr_adam_dixon.html

Read about the myths of Chiropractic Care  http://dixoncenter.com/wellness_topics/c_46_chiro_myths__facts.html

The Clinical Study Results are Here.

One of the most important studies showing the positive effect chiropractic care can have on the immune system and general health was performed by Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York's Preventive Medicine Institute and professor of medicine at New York University.

Dr. Pero measured the immune systems of people under chiropractic care as compared to those in the general population and those with cancer and other serious diseases. In his initial three-year study of 107 individuals who had been under chiropractic care for five years or more, the chiropractic patients were found to have a 200% greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic care, and 400% greater immune competence than people with cancer and other serious diseases. The immune system superiority of those under chiropractic care did not diminish with age.

Dr. Pero stated, “When applied in a clinical framework, I have never seen a group other than this chiropractic group to experience a 200% increase over the normal patients. This is why it is so dramatically important. We have never seen such a positive improvement in a group...”

Source:  Pero R. "Medical Researcher Excited By CBSRF Project Results." The Chiropractic Journal.

Over the last ten years, health-care providers have begun to re-evaluate traditional "accepted" means of dealing with childhood earaches and have found many of them to be inadequate. In fact, up to 60 percent of all ear infections that cause earaches improve on their own.

Doctors today are better at distinguishing between an ear infection and fluid in the middle ear. These two conditions vary in both the degree of discomfort the child experiences and in the respective methods of successfully treating each condition. One method that has shown promise in many cases is the “wait-and-see” approach.

The earaches many children experience may not be due to infection. It may simply be a result of fluid buildup in the middle ear. Typically this condition will cause discomfort due to slight inflammation in the middle ear. If this is the case, antibiotics will not help. This is where a chiropractic adjustment can open the Eustachian tube, thereby allowing the fluid to drain from the middle ear.

With the exception of extreme cases, even the infected ear may not require traditional means of treatment. But if the eardrum is bulging, there is pus behind it and the child is screaming, seek immediate medical attention. The doctors at Dixon Center are well trained in the detection and treatment of ear problems. Discussing your opinions may speed up your child’s recovery and help prevent problems in the future. 

If your child experiences recurrent ear infections, it is important that you talk to the Doctors of the Dixon Center. Doctors of chiropractic are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages and will use a gentler type of treatment for children. By helping to restore the normal function of the tissues of the neck, middle ear infections (otitis media) can usually be significantly reduced or completely eliminated in most children, without the use of antibiotics and surgery.

A Non-Surgical Solution for Acute and Chronic Neck and Back Pain

Decompression Therapy also know as Cervical and Lumbar Traction gently stretches the spine, relieving pressure from the discs, joints, and muscular tissues, while enhancing the body's natural healing process.

What is Decompression Therapy (Cervical and Lumbar Traction)?

Decompression Therapy is an FDA approved treatment that uses a special table and computer to help in the management of serious back and neck pain.  This unique therapy is directed at relieving pressure on structures that may be the source of your pain.

Cervical and lumbar traction gives you pain relief through the decompression of lumbar and cervical discs and joints that are unloading due to distraction and positioning.  The traction creates a controlled unloading of the vertebra to reduce disc pressure, thus increasing blood and nutrient exchange to help heal damaged discs naturally.  Twenty-five years of combining research efforts of doctors and therapists has led to the development of this technology, creating a safe, cost-effective alternative to invasive treatments.

Neurosurgeons across the country recommend that, "physicians have an ethical obligation to attempt cervical or lumbar traction prior to surgery." Physicians agree that surgery should be used only as a last resort.

Is it Safe?  Does it Hurt?

Decompression Therapy (Cervical and Lumbar Traction) is one of the most gentle and comfortable therapies available.  The treatments utilize equipment with proven safety and efficacy.  Most patients report a mild sense of stretch on their back or hips, and often fall asleep during treatment sessions.

Why is Decompression Therapy (Cervical and Lumbar Traction) More Successful Than Other Treatment Options?

Cervical and lumbar traction is a pain-free alternative that has shown a very high rate of success at significantly reducing or even eliminating back and neck pain.  It is a comprehensive program of the newest traction techniques and targeted "core" stabilization exercises.

As an additional benefit, we use other adjunctive treatments such as Chiropractic adjustments, heat, ice, muscle stimulation, and ultrasound to help with inflammation and spasm reduction.  A gradual breakdown of the foundational support of your back is what puts undue stresses on the discs and leads to pain and loss of function.  Our hope is not only to help heal he disc, but enhance muscle control and support of the low back and neck.

It is this multi-facet approach that makes the overall treatment so effective.  If you suffer from acute, chronic, or debilitating, low back or neck pain, you owe it to yourself to call our office today to make an appointment to see if you're a candidate for cervical or lumbar traction!

How Long Will My Treatment Program Be?

It depends on the complexity and extent of the rehabilitation needed, however, we typically treat 4-5 times per week for one month, transitioning from passive to active treatments as you respond.  The treatment is administered over a reasonable time frame and your response is continually evaluated.

Cervical and lumbar traction sessions typically last about 20 minutes, and most patients feel pain relief with as few as 6-10 treatments.  It is important to remember, however, that pain subsiding does not mean that your discs and spinal are healed.  So it is critical that patients stick with the treatment protocol prescribed by their doctor in order to achieve the full value of cervical and lumbar traction.

Call the office today for a consultation with one of our Doctors to see if  Decompression Therapy is right for you.  (615) 646-1003.

By Dr. Adam Dixon

The gate theory of pain states that the two sides of the sensory neurological pathway are set up in such a way that they tend counterbalance each other.  The pain pathway is directly inhibited at the spinal cord level by neurons from proprioceptors and mechanoreceptors.  Proprioception is your brain’s awareness of where your joints are in space, and is partly responsible for coordination.  Without proprioception, we would have no balance and no understanding of how far we can push our joints without injury.  Also, these little guys inhibit pain and inflammation.  Genuine research has proven that the adjustment excites both proprioceptors and mechanoreceptors, and thus inhibits pain and inflammation.

However, if these little guys are left alone without stimulation, then our joints risk segmental dysfunction, which basically means that a joint is not working properly and the inflammation pathway goes relatively unchecked.  The ligaments around non-moving joints tend to tighten and further restrict motion. It therefore takes more effort from the muscles and surrounding joints to cover for the non-working joint’s “laziness”(, and to perform the actions that the joint alone normally should.)  And this is just the beginning of the downward spiral.

When you receive an adjustment, your sensory neurons are launched into mechanoreceptive and proprioceptive bliss.  (It’s as if the joints adjusted are now awakened to the brain.)  The joints are now more responsive to input from the brain, and they also move more easily( from forces put on them from the muscles around them.)  Your brain understands better where joint “end-range” is, meaning that the joints can better get the job done without injuring themselves.  (The ligaments around the moving joints loosen just enough for proper movement.)  When these adjustments are complimented with core strengthening and stretching exercises, the benefits multiply. (Where proprioception is increased, so is balance; where balance is increased, there is less risk of falling.  Interestingly, there is a strong correlation between balance and back pain.  Also, if a joint is moving properly, there is less strain put on the structures around the joint.)  Healthy joints are moving joints, and this is a part of what we chiropractors at Dixon Center do.  We help keep your joints healthy.  And there is so much more to what we do.

If you’d like to experience the science behind chiropractic, just schedule an appointment with us at Dixon Center of Chiropractic.  Call (615) 646-1003.

A chiropractic college grants a D.C. or Doctorate of Chiropractic degree. Chiropractors are licensed as health care providers in every U.S. state and dozens of countries around the world. While the competition for acceptance in chiropractic school is not as fierce as medical school, the chiropractic and medical school curricula are extremely rigorous and virtually identical. In fact, chiropractors have more hours of classroom education than their medical counterparts. As part of their education, chiropractic students also complete a residency working with real patients in a clinical setting, supervised by licensed doctors of chiropractic. Once chiropractic students graduate, they have to pass four sets of national board exams as well as state board exams in the states where they want to practice.

Just like medical doctors, chiropractors are professionals that are subject to the same type of testing procedures, licensing and monitoring by state and national peer-reviewed boards. Federal and state programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Workers' Compensations programs cover chiropractic care, and all federal agencies accept sick-leave certificates signed by doctors of chiropractic. Chiropractors are also commissioned as officers in the military.

The biggest difference between chiropractors and medical doctors lies not in their level of education, but in their preferred method of caring for people. Medical doctors are trained in the use of medicines (chemicals that affect your internal biochemistry) and surgery. Consequently, if you have a chemical problem, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, or an infection, medical doctors can be very helpful. However, if your problem is that your spine is mis-aligned or you have soft tissue damage causing pain, there is no chemical in existence that can fix it. You need a physical solution to correct a physical problem. That is where chiropractic really shines. Chiropractors provide physical solutions -- adjustments, exercises, stretches, muscle therapy -- to help the body heal from conditions that are physical in origin, such as back pain, muscle spasms, headaches, and poor posture. Another distinction is the fact that it is completely appropriate to receive chiropractic care even if you do not have symptoms. Unlike standard medical doctors, whom you visit when you have a symptom to be treated, chiropractors offer adjustments to improve spinal alignment and overall well-being before symptoms develop.

By Adam Dixon

The scientific basis for chiropractic is nearly endless. The profession has been growing and making steady improvements and modifications since its official beginning in 1895 by D.D. Palmer, though there are references to chiropractic-like maneuvers and patient care since ancient times.

Even websites dedicated to medical research such as Entrez Pubmed contain myriad studies, case reports, and double-blinded, placebo-controlled experiments that support the safe and cost-effective use of chiropractic. With proper statistical analysis, there is now a flourishing abundance of research that is helping chiropractic to maintain its respected and favorable reputation. More still needs to be done to explain some of the rather peculiar beneficial effects that have been reported from chiropractic adjustments, such as restored hearing or improved fertility.

Statistics aside, there are concrete effects attributable to the power of an adjustment. Adjustments increase joint range of motion, reduce pain and inflammation, and alleviate muscle spasm. Adjustments also relieve the spine of fixated joints and allow the joints to move properly, which has too many benefits to account for now. We will delve into the gate theory of pain, segmental dysfunction, and proprioception next time when we will explain the neurophysiological effects of an adjustment. Sound boring? It's not!

There is much more to chiropractic than adjustments. Your chiropractic physician at Dixon Center of Chiropractic is well-qualified to identify and diagnose not only musculoskeletal problems but also many other conditions, and to refer you to where you need to be, whether a medical physician or otherwise. Among many other things, your chiropractic physician will perform an in-depth physical examination, give you nutrition and exercise advice, help you triumph over pain and perform your daily activities with ease, and help to prevent future injuries or conditions. Give it a whirl!