Straight Chiropractic

Question of the day

2010-10-04T06:21:00.000-07:00

Risky Behaviors

2010-09-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

FREE Cholesterol Drugs at Participating Fast-Food Joints
Fast food outlets should hand out free cholesterol-lowering statin drugs to their customers to "neutralize" the heart risks of eating fatty foods like burgers and fries, British scientists suggested on Thursday. But a few experts say you might want to ask your server to hold the statin at this point.
In a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology, scientists from the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London calculated that the reduction in heart disease risk offered by a statin could offset the increase in risk from eating a cheeseburger and a milkshake.
"Statins don't cut out all of the unhealthy effects of a burger and fries. It's better to avoid fatty food altogether. But we've worked out that in terms of your likelihood of having a heart attack, taking a statin can reduce your risk to more or less the same degree as a fast food meal increases it," said Dr. Darrel Francis, who led the research team.
"When people engage in risky behaviors like driving or smoking, they're encouraged to take measures that minimize their risk, like wearing a seatbelt or choosing cigarettes with filters. Taking a statin is a rational way of lowering some of the risks of eating a fatty meal."
Still, Peter Weissberg, medical director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) health charity, said Francis' idea should not be taken too literally. He urged people to focus on maintaining a good diet and taking exercise to keep their hearts healthy. "Statins are a vital medicine for people with — or at high risk of developing — heart disease," he said. "They are not a magic bullet."
Dr. Franz Messerli, the director of the hypertension program at two New York hospitals, St. Luke's and Roosevelt, worried about the message handing out statins would send to burger-eaters. "Complimentary statin packets are prone to ... give Quarter Pounder consumers a sense of false security," he told Reuters Health by email.
One statin, a generic drug called simvastatin, is already available in low doses over the counter at pharmacies in Britain without a prescription. Other statins such as Pfizer's Lipitor and AstraZeneca's Crestor — which are among the biggest-selling drugs in the world — are for prescription only. In the U.S., all statins are only available by prescription.
"It makes sense to make risk-reducing supplements available just as easily as the unhealthy condiments (such as salt or ketchup) that are provided free of charge," Francis said in his report of the research. "It would cost less than 5 pence ($0.07) per customer — not much different to a sachet of ketchup."
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38690293/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/

Dr. Brad’s Straight Talk: There is NO substitute for a healthy lifestyle. The information in this article is simply contrary to the laws of nature. Eat garbage and you can expect health problems. Or you can create wellness for yourself by being wise. Your choice :)

Death in Medication.

2010-09-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Blood Pressure Pills May Cause Cancer
LONDON — Some of the world's most popular blood pressure pills may slightly increase your risk of getting cancer, but doctors say it's too soon to ditch the drugs, according to new research.
In an analysis of five previous studies following about 60,000 patients, experts found a link between people taking medicines known as angiotensin-receptor blockers, or ARBs, and cancer. The drugs are taken by millions of people worldwide for conditions like high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetic kidney disease.
"The risk for the individual patient is modest," said Sipahi, associate director of heart failure and transplantation at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland. "However, when you look at it from the population level, millions and millions of people are on these drugs and it can cause a lot of excess cancer worldwide."
The maker of the most-used drug in the study, Boehringer Ingelheim, disputed the findings and said Micardis is one of the best-researched drugs worldwide. The company claimed in a statement that it had "internal safety data" contradicting the Lancet study. According to studies run by the pharmaceutical, there was no link between increased cancer risk and Micardis.
Sipahi warned patients not to stop taking their drugs, and recommended they consult their doctor if they were concerned.
Since completing the analysis, Sipahi said he now thinks twice about whether to prescribe the drugs. But he said many heart patients couldn't take other drugs because of their side effects and they should continue taking ARBs since their chances of dying from heart failure outweighed their chances of getting cancer.
Scientists aren't sure why ARBs might raise the possibility of developing cancer, though some animal studies suggest the medications help produce new blood vessels, which would speed tumor growth.
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37677091/ns/health-cancer/print/1/displaymode/1098/

Dr. Brad’s Straight Talk: Eli Lilly is one of the largest drug manufacturing companies. They state that “there is no such thing as a safe drug. Every drug has a side effect.” It should be no surprise that taking medication of any kind will cause decreased health somewhere in the body.

Should The Rules of C-Sections Be Changed?

2010-09-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

New policy aims to cut repeat C-sections

WASHINGTON — Most women who've had a C-section, and many who've had two, should be allowed to try labor with their next baby, say new guidelines — a step toward reversing the "once a cesarean, always a cesarean" policies taking root in many hospitals.
Wednesday's announcement by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists eases restrictions on who might avoid a repeat C-section, rewriting an old policy that critics have said is partly to blame for many pregnant women being denied the chance.

Fifteen years ago, nearly 3 in 10 women who'd had a prior C-section gave birth vaginally the next time. Today, fewer than 1 in 10 do.
Last spring, a National Institutes of Health panel strongly urged steps to reverse that trend, saying a third of hospitals and half of doctors ban women from attempting what's called VBAC, for "vaginal birth after cesarean."
The new guidelines declare VBAC a safe and appropriate option for most women — now including those carrying twins or who've had two C-sections — and urge that they be given an unbiased look at the pros and cons so they can decide whether to try.
Women's choice is "what we want to come through loud and clear," said Dr. William Grobman of Northwestern University, co-author of the guidelines. "There are few times where there is an absolute wrong or an absolute right, but there is the importance of shared decision-making."
Overall, nearly a third of U.S. births are by cesarean, an all-time high. Cesareans can be lifesaving but they come with certain risks — and the more C-sections a woman has, the greater the risk in a next pregnancy of problems, some of them life-threatening, like placenta abnormalities or hemorrhage.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com//id/38349267/ns/health/

Worst Foods

2010-08-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

The 88 Fast Food Items Most Likely To Kill You:
One of the absolute worst ingredients your food could contain is Trans Fat. Trans fat is known to cause cancer, heart disease, liver dysfunction, obesity, diabetes, infertility and probably contributes to a host of other chronic conditions. Unfortunately, it is found almost everywhere in fast food. Here is a list of some common fast food items with the number of grams of trans fat found in each item. Keep in mind that it is recommended that we get ZERO grams of trans fat per day:

1. White Castle Homestyle Onion Rings - Sack 30g
2. White Castle Fish Nibblers - Sack 16g
3. KFC Chicken Pot Pie 14g
4. Burger King Hash Browns - Large 13g
5. White Castle Chicken Rings - 20 rings13g
6. Jack in the Box Fish & Chips - Large 12g
7. Jack in the Box Bacon Cheddar Potato 12g
8. White Castle Clam Strips - Sack 12g
9. Dairy Queen Chicken Strip Basket 6-piece 12g
10. White Castle French Fries - Sack 11g
11. Jack in the Box Fish & Chips - Medium 10g
12. Jack in the Box Natural Cut Fries – Large 10g
13. Jack in the Box Onion Rings (8) 10g
14. Jack in the Box Seasoned Curly Fries - Large 10g
15. White Castle Onion Chips - Sack 10g
16. Dairy Queen Chicken Strip Basket 4-piece 10g
17. Burger King Hash Browns - Medium 10g
18. Jack in the Box Fish & Chips - Small 9g
19. Dairy Queen Large Onion Rings 9g
20. McDonald's Large French Fries 8g
21. Burger King French Fries King Size 7g
22. Domino's Garlic Dipping Sauce 7g
23. White Castle Onion Rings - Sack 7g
24. Jack in the Box Natural Cut Fries - Medium 7g
25. Jack in the Box Sampler Trio 7g
26. Jack in the Box Spicy Chicken Bites (16) 7g
27. Jack in the Box Seasoned Curly Fries - Medium 7g
28. Jack in the Box Spicy Chicken Biscuit 7g
29. Dairy Queen Regular Onion Rings 7g
30. Boston Market Pastry Top Chicken Pot Pie 7g
31. Arby's Apple Turnover 6.5g

32. Burger King BK Chicken Fries 12pc 6g
33. Burger King French Fries Large 6g
34. Burger King Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit 6g
35. Arby's Cherry Turnover 6g
36. White Castle Chicken Rings - 9 rings 6g
37. White Castle Clam Strips - Regular6g
38. White Castle Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (10 sticks) 6g
39. Jack in the Box Chicken Biscuit 6g
40. Jack in the Box Sausage, Egg & Cheese Biscuit 6g
41. Dairy Queen Large Choc. Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard 6g
42. A&W Large Fries 5.5g
43. McDonald's Baked Apple Pie 5g
44. Burger King Sausage Biscuit 5g
45. McDonald's Medium French Fries 5g
46. Burger King Ham, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit 5g
47. Burger King Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit 5g
48. Burger King Hash Browns - Small 5g
49. White Castle Onion Chips - Regular 5g
50. Jack in the Box Natural Cut Fries - Small 5g
51. Jack in the Box Seasoned Curly Fries - Small 5g
52. Jack in the Box Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit 5g
53. Jack in the Box Original French Toast Sticks (4) 5g
54. Jack in the Box Sausage Biscuit 5g
55. Dairy Queen Large French Fries 5g
56. Burger King BK Chicken Fries 9pc 4.5g
57. McDonald's Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips (5 pc) 4.5g
58. Boston Market Chocolate Cake 4.5g
59. KFC Chicken and Biscuit Bowl 4.5g
60. Burger King Onion Rings King Size 4.5g
61. Burger King French Fries Medium 4.5g
62. Sonic French Toast Sticks (4) 4.5g
63. Jack in the Box Sourdough Ultimate Cheeseburger 4.5g
64. Jack in the Box Stuffed Jalapenos (7) 4.5g
65. Jack in the Box Blueberry French Toast Sticks (4) 4.5g
66. White Castle Fish Nibblers - Regular 4.5g
67. Dairy Queen Med. Choc. Chip Cookie Dough 4.5g Blizzard 4.5g
68. A&W Onion Rings 4.5g
69. A&W Crispy Chicken Sandwich 4.5g
70. Burger King Tendercrisp Chicken Sandwich 4g
71. McDonald's Hotcakes (2 pats margarine & syrup) 4g
72. Burger King Onion Rings Large 4g
73. Burger King Cini-minis 4g
74. White Castle French Fries - Regular 4g
75. White Castle Homestyle Onion Rings - Regular 4g
76. White Castle Chicken Rings - 6 rings 4g
77. White Castle Hot Chocolate Large 4g
78. Arby's Cinnamon Twist 4g
79. A&W Papa Burger 4g
80. A&W Original Bacon Double Cheeseburger 4g
81. A&W Original Double Cheeseburger 4g
82. A&W Chili Cheese Fries 4g
83. A&W Cheese Fries 4g
84. A&W Chili Fries 4g
85. A&W Kids Fries 4g
86. Dairy Queen 1/2 lb. FlameThrower GrilllBurger 4g
87. Jack in the Box Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (6) 4g
88. Jack in the Box Sausage Croissant 4g

*NOTE* The above list shows every fast food item that contained 4 or more grams of trans fat per serving. There were TONS of items that contained less than 4 grams (anywhere from 0.5 to 3.5) but I decided on 4 grams as the cut off point for the WORST 88 foods. 3.5 grams of trans fat is still terrible, but the above 88 are the worst of the worst.

Do You Want To Have Babies And Can't?

2010-08-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Why Haven't Infertile Couples Been Told These Facts?

Millions of people have celiac disease, but most don’t know they have it, in part because symptoms can be so varied. It is an often overlooked digestive disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, is eaten.

Infertility seems to be more common in women with untreated celiac disease. Other gynecological and obstetrical problems may also be more common, including miscarriages and preterm births.
For men, problems can include abnormal sperm -- such as lower sperm numbers, altered shape, and reduced function. Men with untreated celiac disease may also have lower testosterone levels.
The good news is that with proper treatment with a gluten-free diet and correction of nutritional deficiencies, the prognosis for future pregnancies is much improved.

Sources:

New York Times February 3, 2010

Let's Save Some Money!

2010-08-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

It Costs Too Much!

One of the most POWERFUL aspects of Straight Chiropractic is that it helps you totally transform how you view and understand your health. Let me give you an example:

Think about your car. Imagine if all you were ever told about your car were things like “it does not matter what kind of gas you use” or “oil changes are a waste of money” and “don’t pay attention to any of those WARNING lights!” Are you getting the idea? You would then end up DESTROYING your car LONG before it was intended. Some basic Prevention and WELLNESS would have saved you thousands of dollars and maybe even your life, depending where the car DIED!

So how does this relate to you, your life, your health and Straight Chiropractic? Well, you have a very similar choice. Many of us have been raised in a culture that has said “eat whatever you want” or “exercise is hard” or “just take a pill for that!” This type of advice has lead to many, many bad and deadly decisions and lifestyles.

Straight Chiropractic strives to provide you the absolute best, cutting edge, effective and usable information regarding health, wellness and recovery from disease.

So let’s look at a real life example: A “typical American family” has 2 parents that are obese, over half of them are on at least 1 medication, 1 of their 3 children is obese, many have been diagnosed with learning or behavioral “diseases” and many of them are even medicated. They are eating the typical American diet of bad fats, LOADS of SUGAR and tons of chemicals, colorings, and preservatives. And these are just the “typical families.” They have been sold a lie. They are not INVESTING in health. They are waiting to PAY FOR DISEASE.

Sometimes people look at “wellness” as a COST. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is a choice on how you are going to care for your “car” or HEALTH. As all of you know our “sick care” costs are rising every year and many times by double digit percentages. You literally cannot afford to go on like this. So what are the options? Well in the USA the leading cause of bankruptcy is MEDICAL COSTS. AND MOST OF THEM WERE INSURED!

The only solution that makes any sense is INVESTING in health. Straight Chiropractic has countless examples of families literally saving tens of thousands of dollars a year and countless pain and suffering by understanding exactly what has been explained here. They invest a couple of thousand a year in health now and will save tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands later. And then, there is the added bonus of NOT DYING!

Do Children and Drugs Mix?

2010-08-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Should Children be Taking Cholesterol Lowering Drugs?
Very high cholesterol levels in kids may decline over time even without intervention, researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found.
The findings add to an ongoing debate over the importance of high cholesterol in children, and whether cholesterol-lowering drugs are appropriate when changes in diet and physical activity don’t cut it.
Such drugs, including statins, are used in adults to reduce the risk of heart disease, a major killer in Western countries. But it isn’t clear if they also work for kids.
The new study, published in the journal Pediatrics, shows that after a few years, some youngsters with high cholesterol would no longer be considered for drug treatment according to guidelines.

While this isn’t an argument to abandon drug therapy altogether, doctors shouldn’t jump the gun when treating kids for cholesterol, the researchers caution.
“Both in kids and in adults there is quite a bit of variability over time,” David S. Freedman of the CDC told Reuters Health. “People with very, very high cholesterol are likely to be those that are having a bad cholesterol day.”
“My paper emphasizes that you probably need at least two or three measurements to screen out kids who are just having a bad day,” he added.
Neal said he uses statins in children who don’t benefit from changing lifestyle, but he virtually never starts medication without doing two cholesterol tests spaced months apart.
As Dr. Michael L. LeFevre, of the University of Missouri in Columbia, told Reuters Health last week, “Unfortunately, there is no evidence that starting a ten-year-old on cholesterol-lowering drugs will prevent heart disease 40 years later.”
For that reason, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a federal expert panel of which LeFevre is a member, currently doesn’t recommend routine cholesterol screening in any children.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66I0VL20100719

Do You Doubt?

2010-08-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

Do You Doubt?

Some time ago one of our patient’s was not feeling well. She had a fever and an earache and they were progressively getting worse. She had been like this for some time. She understands the principle of chiropractic that the Power that made the body, Heals the body so she didn’t want any medication to cover up the symptoms. She wanted to be well. However, she began to doubt her ability to heal because it had gone on for so long and was getting unbearable.

Finally one day she came in and told me that she felt like a traitor. She had given in to the pressure and went to the MD and he gave her a prescription for antibiotics. Amazingly, within 24 hours she was feeling so much better and initially she gave the credit to the antibiotic.

Within a couple of visits she had changed her mind on the seemingly amazing healing abilities of the antibiotics. At that time I shared with her that the research shows that it takes longer than 24 hours for the antibiotics to be effective in reducing the pain from an ear infection. I shared with her chiropractic principle #6 which states that “There is no process which does not require time.” Chances are she would have been feeling fine without the antibiotic.

In fact, research shows that children that take antibiotics for ear infections showed no remarkable difference in healing time and cessation of symptoms in relation to the children that took no antibiotics. The kids that took antibiotics didn’t get better any faster. This is one of the reasons why way back in 1995 the American Pediatric Association announced to MDs to stop giving antibiotics for “routine” ear infections. They should let the body heal by itself.

She realized that if she had not taken the antibiotics, she would have been feeling better regardless. Unfortunately, it was necessary for her to take higher doses of Pro-biotics to build up the good bacteria in her gut that was killed due to the antibiotic.

It is often difficult to make the right decision in “the moment” when there is emotion or pain involved. This is why it important to make that decision about how to handle certain situations before you get in the moment. One of my favorite quotes from BJ Palmer states “Make your decision for what is right, not what is expedient and wash your mind of all compromise.”

I am not suggesting that any individual should never take antibiotics or any drug for that matter. It is important for you to use your best judgment and the expertise of professionals. However, I am suggesting that it is appropriate to question the “professionals” and even your lifestyle habits. Ultimately, your health is your responsibility.

There is no need to doubt your body’s ability to heal. You are

Back to School

2010-08-05T13:57:00.000-07:00

Back to School

It’s time! Summer is drawing to a close and the kids will be heading back to school. Are you ready? Are they ready? Our goal is to help you make sure the children in your life are in a state of health that will be conducive to superior learning.

Research shows that children under chiropractic care get sick less often. This means they will miss fewer days of school due to sickness, or lack thereof. You will also miss fewer days of work because you won’t have to take time off of work to stay home with them. This is just one way that regular chiropractic care can save you money.

So through the month of August we are making it easy for all the parents in our community to enjoy the benefits of having their children under chiropractic care. All month, children can have a new patient exam simply by bringing a donation of school supplies, which will be donated to Rio Rancho Public Schools.

Then, to help all kids 18 and younger, they can have the doctor’s recommended chiropractic care for just $52 per month, period. This is a perfect time to tell all your friends the benefits of children under chiropractic care.

Freedom From..

2010-07-05T08:19:00.000-07:00

Independence

There are those ... who will reply that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind, is nothing but a dream. They are right. ... It is the American Dream. — Archibald McLeish

We just celebrated Independence Day. I am so grateful for our forefathers that had such vision. They were able to dream beyond what was possible even in their lifetimes.

Because of our forefathers, our great country has attracted the "dreamers" of the world. They are those people that sacrificed many of their own wants for the good of others. They have not sought fame or fortune. They have only wanted to make this world a better place.

Two of those dreamers were the father of Chiropractic, DD Palmer and his son BJ Palmer. Because of their work and the dedication of so many of their students, chiropractic has grown into the leading drugless health profession in the world. Because of their work, miracles happen all around the globe, every day.

I have a friend that practices in Italy that while under his care, a young boy was able to stop taking asthma medication. Another friend in Spain had a lady walking on her own because she was able to throw her crutches away. Another in Texas had a boy that had tubes put in his ears because of severe ear infections never need antibiotics again. Another in Canada had an elite athlete that had not only lost her ability to compete but had lost hope of living a normal life as her body was wasting away at a mere 75 pounds. She was near death when he met her and she not only gained back her life but started competing again. The list of MIRACLES could go on forever.

The fact is you may even be one of the many that will read this that has had chiropractic help you to be FREE. Free of suffering. Free of pain. Free of medication. Free to regain your quality of life.

This week highlighted on our website is a video of one of our patients that following a motorcycle accident was left unable to ride his motorcycle for more than 2 hours, and he couldn't even do that without pain and a lot of medication. He now has FREEDOM FROM MEDICATION.

This week, let your love for Freedom help someone else regain their ability to dream of a better life. Share Chiropractic with them.

Is the sun killing you?

2010-07-01T13:59:00.000-07:00

Foods that Will Help Protect You From the Sun

With the controversy over what to do to protect your skin from the sun this summer, we offer you some practical solutions to help give you the nutrients so your body can adapt and protect you. For extra sun protection, eat plenty of these fruits: cherries, nectarines, and watermelon.

These juicy treats not only cool your mouth in warm weather but may shield your skin from warm weather, too. Compounds in the fruits may boost your skin's natural resilience against wrinkles and sun damage, according to Allison Tannis, author of Feed Your Skin, Starve Your Wrinkles.

In-Season Skin Savers
What's so special about this trio of fruits? Check out their unique protective benefits.

Cherries: Eat a daily handful and you may enjoy fresher, less puffy skin. It's all thanks to the inflammation-fighting anthocyanins and melatonin in cherries, writes Tannis. Melatonin may boost UV protection and cell growth as well -- two great ways to keep wrinkles at bay. Tart cherries tend to be highest in melatonin. Tart cherries help fight cancer too.
Nectarines: These smooth-skinned sisters of the peach provide a mini-spa's worth of nutrients that may help correct sun damage from the inside out, according to Tannis. They offer skin goodies like lycopene, lutein, niacin, copper, and vitamins A, C, and E. The A, C, and E trio also works to control inflammation and free radical damage in both the watery and the fatty layers of skin.
Watermelon: Nibbling on watermelon wedges has the power to refresh your face as much as your palate, thanks to the high water and lycopene content. Lycopene helps protect and preserve connections between skin cells so skin is tighter, smoother, and better able to retain moisture.

These fruits are high in natural sugar and if eaten alone can cause insulin spikes so it’s a good idea whenever you eat fruit, also eat some healthy protein and fat like raw almonds or other nuts and seeds.

Source: Feed Your Skin, Starve Your Wrinkles. Tannis, A., Beverly, MA: Fair Winds Press, 2009

Would you like to seem smart?

2010-06-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

Growing Evidence Links Exercise and Mental Acuity

Can exercise help keep your mind sharp? Researchers increasingly say the answer is yes.
John J. Ratey, a psychiatrist who wrote the book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, says that there is overwhelming evidence that exercise produces large cognitive gains and helps fight dementia.

The Washington Post advises:
“...while the volume of that research grows, the safest course of action for both body and mind appears to be to keep our weight down, follow a regular course of moderate to intense exercise, and stick with it.”
Sources:

Washington Post May 25, 2010

Dr. Brad’s Straight Talk: Movement is life, lack of movement brings death. Our ancestors, even 30 years ago moved more than us. Just a short time ago when I was a kid at least I had to get off the couch to turn the channel on the TV. Today, more people watch sports on TV than actually play.

Exercise should be fun. If you’re not having fun you probably aren’t doing the right exercise. Try a different sport. Challenge yourself with a different walking route. Get a dog that needs to run and enjoy their company on a brisk walk. Take your kids with you. They need the exercise too.

Straight Chiropractic Grand Re-Opening

2010-02-21T05:56:00.000-08:00

Dr. Brad and the Staight Chiropractic team are excited to announce our Grand Re-Opening!

Wishing you the very best in Optimal Health,

Dr. Brad Fackrell
Albuquerque Chiropractor

Rio Wealth & Wellness Heart Healthy Lifestyle

2010-02-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

This months Rio Wealth & Wellness focuses on Heart Healthy Lifestyle. My contribution focused on the role of our brain, spine, and nervous system in a Heart Healthy Lifestyle.

For Optimal Health,
Dr. Brad
Your Albuquerque Chiropractor

Merry Christmas From Straight Chiropractic

2009-12-23T13:02:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

I LOVE the holidays. I enjoy spending the time with my family playing games and simply enjoying their company. I love to watch my little ones play with seemingly no care in the world. No care in the world that is until one of their siblings takes a toy from them.

Really we are all just like children. We focus on the things that are right before us without really paying much attention to other important things because they are not glaring at us in the face. We focus on the thing right before us…until something distracts us. When something like our health is taken away from us we become uncomfortable and motivated to change the uncomfortable situation.

This is just like our health. As long as we are feeling fine we think we are healthy and pay little attention to important health habits. The key to better health is to follow the principles of health and be committed to yourself before you feel symptoms. Symptoms like pain or sickness are a sign that your body is adapting. Wouldn’t it be better to live your life so that you never have pain or sickness?

So as you go into this holiday break, take time to reflect on your health habits. Accept the fact that you control your own destiny. You can take control. Sometimes it is necessary to get more information to unlock your full potential. Search out the information and take control. Be Well

Our patients enjoyed their ornaments and the price and service were unbeatable. Check out their site to get yours for next year.

http://www.fundraisingornaments.com

Wishing you all the very best this holiday season,

Dr. Brad Fackrell and the Straight Chiropractic Team

Your Albuquerque Chiropractor

Sugar Sweetened Drinks Increase Appetite

2009-12-03T07:07:00.001-08:00

Researchers have concluded that sugar-sweetened soft drinks, energy drinks, and fruit drinks actually increases appetite and calorie consumption.
The feel this is the result that these types of drinks do not satisfy and satiety following these drinks is poor. The consumption of these sugar laden drinks actually promotes increased caloric intake and weight gain. The main reason that this occurs is the fact that these drinks do not contain any protein, which has been shown to be the main component in our food that creates satiety. Research has shown that it does not matter if these drinks are sweetened with sucrose (table sugar), high-fructose corn syrup, or maltose. They all have the same problem of providing additional calories and increasing your appetite and overall caloric intake.

I would encourage individuals to avoid any sugar-sweetened drinks and replace them with regular, low-glycemic meals or meal replacements that contain high quality protein and good fat. The best liquid to drink is high quality H2O.

For Optimal Health,

Dr. Brad Fackrell and the Straight Chiropractic Team

Your Albuquerque Chiropractor

Patient of the Week- Claire Fenedick- December 2009

2009-12-01T16:48:00.000-08:00

In Claire’s own words…
“I am a 3x Cancer Survivor having been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, reoccurring in 1999 and it metastasized to my lungs in 2001. I have had radiation and 4 different chemo therapies over those years. I changed my lifestyle by making positive changes in my life, eating healthier, not using sugar and white flour, and improved my immune system. I have been in remission since March 2002 and I feel great! The only residual effect I have from my cancer is lymphodema in my left arm as a result of some lymph nodes being removed during surgery in 1998. My left arm has been 2x the size of my right arm for the last eleven years. I had resigned myself to a lifetime of dealing with the swelling, achiness and heavy feeling from the poor drainage of the lymphatic fluids. This seemed to be a small price to pay for what I had survived.
At the urging of my daughter, I began seeing Dr. Brad in 9/09. Since starting, my chronic neck pain has lessened and I am sleeping better. An even greater bonus has been the reduction of swelling in my left arm and the re-appearance of my knuckles. The adjustments have helped relieve the blockage in my arm which has helped the lymphatic fluids to flow more freely through my body. This was an unexpected outcome to my treatment. I am ecstatic!”

Sharing is caring! Tell a friend or loved one that you know could benefit from Chiropractic today.

For Lifetime Family Wellness,

Dr. Brad Fackrell and the Straight Chiropractic Team

Your Albuquerque Chiropractor

Patient of the Week - November 2009 - Helen Stelmar

2009-11-11T15:58:00.000-08:00

Through the years, I have seen six different chiropractors. They did adjust me, but did not teach me the importance of regular, continued care. I knew I needed something to help me, but I didn’t know what.
I responded to one of Dr. Brad’s offers for a checkup. Thank goodness.

After one month of care, a fifteen year old injury to my rotator cuff was completely healed. I am now able to reach my arms behind my back and hang from the bar at Curves. I was amazed. My arthritis has been loosening up as well. I can move joints in my hands in ways that I really hadn’t paid attention to before. I am taking less than half of the insulin I took before I began chiropractic care.

I have subscribed to and have approached raising my five children using alternative health philosophies for more than twenty years. The understanding that I have received from Dr. Brad’s presentations has helped me to put together the health practices I have know about myself, but not necessarily pursued as diligently as I could have. I have now changed my diet radically, and am even more committed to the consistent exercise. I believe that my nervous system, and therefore my entire body, physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual, will be transformed by chiropractic treatment, because the nervous system is the conduit for energy, which is the basis of life. Chiropractic treatment is the foundation, on which our daily holistic health practices are able to build and thrive. I like to remember one of the sayings on the office video that I watch when I am waiting to be adjusted: “Poor choices produce poor health. Wise choices produce vibrant health.” Vibrant health. That is what I want. That is what I think these chiropractic moments will give me and my family.

I am very grateful that the members of my family are able to benefit from regular chiropractic care when they are young and able to benefit even more than I have. Dr. Brad and his commitment to health have answered my prayers and given me hope. Thank you so much.

Helen Stelmar

There are so many of your friends and loved ones that can benefit from Chiropractic. Show how much you love them today by sharing this story.

Dr. Brad Fackrell and the Straight Chiropractic Team

Your Albuquerque Chiropractor

Every 3,000 Miles

2009-11-04T12:51:00.000-08:00

My wife and I recently went car shopping for my 2 teenage drivers. We were specifically looking for a higher mileage, older car that would enable us to have lower cost insurance. However, since I am no longer a mechanic, I don’t want to have to take it in the shop all the time. I want to be able to have the regular maintenance done and have it be pretty worry free. I know that can be a tall order with an inexpensive car but that’s what we were searching for.

The first car we test drove had 91,000 miles and was made in 2001. The outside of the car looked good. It had a V6 engine and had nice acceleration. On the test drive the first thing we noticed is that it was noisy. One of the dashboard lights that signifies the airbag was on but the owner of the car disclosed that to me when I visited with him on the phone. We took it to a mechanic for him to look over and he noticed some things that we would not have noticed but they were fixable and we were willing to purchase the car…then we changed our mind.

As we were taking the car back to the owners house to seal the deal the check engine and another dashboard light came on. We decided that we did not want to buy a car that was maybe not maintained well. After visiting with the owner he disclosed that the person that owned the car before him, a friend of his, only changed the oil after constant urging from friends, sometimes as long as 9,000 miles in between changes. We knew that because of the lack of proper maintenance we would be setting ourselves up for worry and we did not buy the car.

Then we found another car that the owner was able to show us records proving that the oil was changed meticulously every 3000 miles and everything else was maintained religiously. The paint was not in great shape and it showed the gentle loving use of 15 years and 117,000 miles. The car was quiet to drive and showed that it had been well taken care of. Fortunately we were able to find what seems will be a reliable car for my girls to drive.

These two cars are like many people. Some may be younger but not nearly as healthy because they have not taken care of themselves. Others may be older but you can tell as you visit with them they are happy, vibrant and full of life.

It all comes down to maintenance. How well do you take care of yourself? Do you regularly put foods into your body that you know are causing damage? Do you exercise regularly? Do you stay current with your adjustment schedule? Do you fill your mind with positive healing thoughts? In short, Do you Eat Well, Move Well and Think Well?

Today is a new day and it can be a new start. If you or someone you love has NOT been checked for subluxation lately, call our office to see if we can help you and them live the life you deserve.

For Optimal Health,

Dr. Brad Fackrell
Albuquerque Chiropractor

Patient of the Week- Jackie Gibbons- October 2009

2009-10-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

In Jackie’s own words…

“My life certainly changed for the better since joining Dr. Brad and being under his care since July. I had been in a lot of pain in my right hip for the past year and thought I was headed for a hip replacement.
I walked by the office one day and saw a big banner that said “Freedom from Medications” and that sounded good to me! I signed up for treatment and each day I feel better than I have in years and my energy level has also increased. I have had allergy problems for years with sinus infections constantly. As of this date, I am off nearly all of my allergy medications and no more sinus infections. I feel the “straight spine” theory is the only way to go and would advise anyone contemplating chiropractic care to give it a try. It will change your life and for the best!”

Jackie Gibbons

I want to thank Jackie for sharing her Chiropractic story. I am confident it will help others to start a journey toward Optimal Health.

For Optimal Health,

Dr. Brad Fackrell
Albuquerque Chiropractor

Asthma and Ear Infections Testimonial

2009-10-22T06:53:00.000-07:00

In the words of Kiara’s mother…
“Kiara was first diagnosed with asthma at 11 months old. She had been on a nebulizer for the first couple of years then since the age of 3, has been on Singulair and Pulmicort once a day each and Albuterol as needed. Since starting chiropractic visits in June, Kiara is off the inhalers and Singulair. If her breathing does get worse, we use herbal teas, increase visits to the chiropractor and reflexology to help. This has happened about once a month instead of 4-5 times per month! In addition, Kiara has had chronic ear infections since she was born. Since beginning chiropractic care, she has not had one! We really believe in chiropractic because we have seen how it has improved the quality of life for Kiara. No more emergency room trips or visits to the doctor to adjust medications-only to Dr. Brad who has done a tremendous job in helping Kiara!”

I would like to personally thank Kiara and her mother for sharing their Chiropractic story. I am confident it will help other to start a journey toward Optimal Health.

For Optimal Health,

Dr. Brad Fackrell
Albuquerque Chiropractor

Patient of the Week- Bobbie Rabenberg- October 2009

2009-10-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

In Bobbi’s own words…
“Having been through a lot of trauma starting at a very young age, the pain had compounded over the years. I had chiropractic adjustments before and knew they would help, but it had been many years since my last adjustment and I was in a lot of pain when I happened upon Dr. Brad. IMMEDIATELY after my 1st adjustment, I could go up and down stairs much easier and the next day I noticed my eyesight was noticeably better!
Now that I’ve been getting adjustments regularly, the pain I was experiencing is virtually gone and that has helped with my outlook on life. Recently, I had an eye exam and found out the sight in my left eye has actually improved! My old prescription was 175 for my left eye and now it is 125! Regular adjustments by Dr. Brad have helped more than I thought!”

Patient of the Week- Carlos Acosta- Sept 2009

2009-09-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

In Carlos’ own words…

“We began care in 2007. My wife’s back was always hurting and I had shooting pain up my spine occasionally. After about a month of care, neither of us had reoccurring pain. Due to the distance of travel and our schedule, we had to discontinue care temporarily. We all felt this was a huge mistake, but had no other choice at the time.
After receiving a phone call from Dr. Brad earlier this year, we began our care again. Since then, we have been happier and healthier. Through Dr. Brad’s care and informational classes, we have had better days physically and mentally. We have 3 children who all look forward to going to Dr. Brad to get their adjustment, too! I recommend Straight Chiropractic to everyone I talk to. Back pain or not, this care is a natural way for your body to heal itself from more illnesses. It makes me feel better knowing that my family and I don’t have to heal our bodies with medicine that damages your body in the long run.”

Patient of the Week - September 2009- Jeff Stong

2009-09-14T16:24:00.000-07:00

In Jeff’s own words…

“I initially came to Straight Chiropractic for the same reason many other folks do: I was experiencing chronic lower back pain and stiffness in my neck. It was keeping me awake at night and just seemed to be worsening. My pain has now reduced significantly, the pain no longer keeps me awake and I have more mobility in my neck! But what is unique about Straight Chiropractic is that what they offer is not just a solution to back and neck pain through a few bone-cracking adjustments; Dr. Brad offers a “total health” care package including health care tips for your body, mind and spiritual needs. He holds seminars, has fitness tips, and I have learned more about how my body works here than through all my college years! Plus, they offer a fun, family atmosphere and they make you feel like family. Unfortunately, most of us wait until we experience pain and discomfort before seeking treatment. Dr. Brad’s teachings show that the earlier you get on the road to a healthier you, the better chance you have of never having to experience the pain and discomfort I have experienced over the years. Thank you, Dr. Brad and his staff for the wonderful experience and for getting me on the road to a better me!”

Patient of the Week-Sept 2009- Colleen Frenz

2009-08-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

“After a rear end collision, I was diagnosed with chronic myofacial neck pain (whiplash). Over the course of several years, I had chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage, took 1000’s of mg of Ibuprofen, had marcaine injections in my neck, and took time off work trying to get relief. People would often ask me, “How much damage was done to your car?” I learned there is NO direct correlation between car damage and me. After the insurance ran out, and no other options were presented, I figured I was destined to tolerate the pain and the egg-sized lump in my neck.
I came to Dr. Brad originally for my daughter… not for myself. Once he explained his philosophy and approach, took x-rays to show me the issues I had were in my neck AND in my lower back, I knew I was there for me. Receiving chiropractic adjustments, doing home exercises, and attending workshops on a consistent basis equals results! Receiving adjustments keeps the spine aligned to allow for self-healing. Home exercises help maintain muscular flexibility and modifies bad habits. The workshops inform and inspire.
In the 2+ years I have been receiving adjustments and actively participating to “Be Well”, the pain and egg-sized lump in my neck are gone, and the forward posture and the reverse curve in my neck have improved! I’ve learned from Dr. Brad wellness is a lifestyle and life-long. It’s a conscious decision we make to “Think Well, Move Well, and Eat Well”!

Patient of the Week- Aug 2009- Frank Freely

2009-08-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

In Frank’s own words…
“My spinal problems were my reason for obtaining chiropractic treatment. Being just a few generations removed from the Sandia Man, I find it remarkable that the treatments have increased my mobility. Seriously, I sincerely believe I would be much less active without the adjustments. I would definitely suggest the same involvement to my family and friends!”

Patient of the Week- Aug 2009 -Dusti Griffin

2009-08-02T15:27:00.000-07:00

In Dusti’s own words…
“I saw a flyer in the mail about a patient being helped with Fibromyalgia. I thought, “That’s what I have had for over half of my life”, but put it in a pile not ready to do anything with it. A month or two later, I saw it again right after my doctor wanted to put me onto yet another medication with side effects. I couldn’t tell if something was a symptom of my fibromyalgia or a side effect from the medications. I am amazed now after 7 months of chiropractic care and no medications at how much better I feel in general, my daily pain has improved, my digestive system works better and I don’t have headaches ALL of the time! I still have some tough days, but they are much easier to deal with because of the support from my families at home and at Straight Chiropractic! I am so glad I chose health instead of medications with side effects! I wish more people would understand what subluxation is and choose health as well!”

Patient of the Week- July 2009 - Dr. Dan Giuliano

2009-07-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

In Dan’s own words…

“I originally came to see Dr. Brad in hopes he would help me with ongoing stomach pain in my right side. This pain actually turned out to be due to Gluten intolerance. Even so, Dr. Brad kept adjusting me and to my surprise, I noticed my posture and spine were improving. I even grew a whole inch! I used to have shortness of breath all of the time. I used to attribute this to the seat in my wheelchair too low. What it actually was that my lower spine was curved outward. Through Dr. Brad’s adjustments, my spine was put back into alignment and I could breathe better! It was an unexpected, but very joyous gift given through chiropractic adjustments!
In addition to Dr. Brad’s expert and consistent adjustments, the information he provides each week in his workshops are incredibly valuable to my health. He can make complicated information simple and easy to understand. I am very, very lucky to be one of his patients!”

Patient of the week - July 2009- Linda Barreras

2009-07-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

In Linda’s own words… “I used to suffer with migraines, neck and back pain, high blood pressure, and 2 kinds of arthritis! Since starting with Dr. Brad, I can’t remember the last time I had a migraine! And no more neck and back pain. You wouldn’t believe the things I can do now, too numerous to list! I also am no longer on medications for high blood pressure. Then in November 2008, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a large mass on my left breast. In January 2009, I started an ALL NATURAL treatment plan that included changing to a healthy diet and increasing my adjustment schedule. Now in June 2009, they cannot find the mass at all! I firmly and totally believe that if my “Arc of Life” had not been improved by my regular adjustments prior to my diagnosis, I wouldn’t have made it this far in my progress! Everyone should see a chiropractor EVERY WEEK!”

Patient of the week - July 2009- Candace Toensing

2009-07-09T16:26:00.000-07:00

In Candace’s own words…
“Dr. Brad knew he could help me when I believed no one else cared! When I was 27, I lost the use of my left leg in the care of ER staff treating me for severe muscle spasms in my back and chest. They only gave me drugs and treated me so poorly that I “snapped”-my leg stopped responding due to the emotional and physical stress. After tests and steroids, I was left on my own. They diagnosed me with “dropfoot” but through my own research, I did not believe that is what I had; needless to say I lost hope. Then in June 2007, a patient of Dr. Brad’s spoke to him about me and my problems. He immediately said “I can help her!” That blind faith in what Dr. Brad believed was exactly what I needed. Through my faith and receiving my 1st adjustment, the sensation in my in my leg was restored! I’ve been under Dr. Brad’s care for 2 years now and my leg is almost normal. Chiropractic has allowed my body to heal itself and Dr. Brad has allowed me to believe in myself and the POWER of my body. Chiropractic has affirmed that this belief is the most powerful and pure thing you can have to better your own life!”

In Loving Memory

2009-07-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful patient that all of us can gain inspiration and wisdom from. In April of 2007, Jim came in to our office for a new patient exam. He was 60 years old. His main complaint was pain in his shoulder, neck and back. It had been with him for about 4 years. Because of his line of work, there was daily stress which only made his problem worse. After he saw his x-rays it was plain for him to see the correlation between the way he felt and why he had the problem. He was so grateful that he had that urging from his wife to come in and receive that first subluxation check-up.
He told me when he started care that he was fully committed and was going to do everything he could in the next 12 months to get healthy. Jim also had other health issues that he now realized were caused because of the long standing subluxation in his spine. Jim faithfully kept his appointments and was somewhat diligent with his homework. He came to a few workshops and was always inspired and felt that he could improve in his health.
12 months went by and Jim had seen much progress. His back no longer hurt him. His shoulder felt fine and his neck felt better than it had in years. Jim was excited about the future. In fact he shared with me that he now felt well enough that he and his wife were going to go on this cruise they had been saving up for. Unfortunately, the cruise took precedence over his health and he did not continue his care into the 2nd year.
Last week, Brianna was making some routine calls to some of our past patients to encourage them to come back in and resume care. Jim’s wife answered the phone and Brianna asked to speak with Jim. Jim’s wife shared that that would not be possible because he passed away this last April, one year after he discontinued his care with us.
It wasn’t appropriate for her to get many details but I wonder if now, Jim’s wife would have gladly traded the cruise for Jim still being by her side.
Subluxation is the silent killer. It is absolutely impossible for all the cells in your body to be working at 100% when you are subluxated. Please, Let Jim inspire you to share this incredible healing that can take place with the people you associate with: your co-workers, family members or people you know from church.
Most importantly, please commit to yourself that you are a LIFER! Make chiropractic a necessary part of your life, for the rest of your life.

Patient of the Week -July 2009- Cindy Ashbaugh

2009-07-06T13:43:00.000-07:00

In Cindy’s own words…
“My main reason for seeking chiropractic care was the pain in my lower back. Others doctors attributed it to my weight. After getting adjusted for a while, I noticed that my continual migraines and tension headaches had lessened and are now rare. That was a benefit I had NOT expected! What a relief! After consistently using the RF456 Video and getting regular adjustments, my back pain has gone away!
I would recommend that everyone should get checked for subluxation! Dr. Brad, his staff and the patients here are so inspirational and uplifting! All should attend the workshops as they are a wealth of information that helps you realize getting adjusted is necessary for complete health! Get adjusted, get your emotional support and praise and all of the great information! It will change your life and it’s easy to do!”

2009-06-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

Are you Thinking About Your Health?

Are theorized positive health factors related to perceived health in a generally healthy population? A recent study found that participants who engaged in significantly more positive health behaviors did have a significantly higher level of life satisfaction. In other words, if you are engaging in behaviors that are good for you, you tend to have more life satisfaction. These findings suggest that a controllable positive health factor has a significant relationship to perceived health and well-being beyond the absence of disease or infirmity. The group that engaged in more health behaviors had the highest perceived health. Just because you are free from symptoms doesn’t mean you can’t improve your feeling of well-being. This is very different from the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. This also indicates that there is a significant difference between prevention and wellness. Instead of just preventing something bad from happening you can actually always move to a higher level of wellness.
Becker CM, Glascoff MA, Mitchell T, et al: Assessing perceived health and associated behaviors: an investigation of methods used to assess health status. Journal of Applied Social Psychology 2007; 37 (2):227

Patient of the Week - June 2009- Sarah Daniels

2009-06-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

Sarah's Own words....

" I came to see Dr. Brad because I was feeling overwhelmed and stressed. My back and head always hurt. I have two young children and they were suffering because I was not 100%. Being under chiropractic care has changed every aspect of my life! Even things I had no idea were symptoms of subluxation ( such as my incurable cyst acne, body image issues, eye sight problems and mental health) improved! Everything is better with better mental health! My kids have changed, too! My daughter had sleep problems since birth were she would only sleep for 45 minutes at a time. Now she rests soundly for 8+ hours! My son was an early walker so we though he was just unstable causing him to fall or trip often. His atlas was way off and after being adjusted, he is now quick and has amazing balance! Everyone should know: chiropractic is the foundation to a healthy life!"

Patient of the Week - Cathy Dixon- June 2009

2009-06-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Why we chose Cathy…
Cathy and her husband have just started their 5th year of care with Dr. Brad! Cathy was diagnosed with scoliosis (a curvature of the spine) a long time ago and was told she would only wind up in a wheelchair by 45 years old. Cathy is certainly NOT in a wheelchair and is now more active than in her younger years! Cathy no longer needs the medications to live. Cathy is great at keeping her OSA (Originally Scheduled Adjustment) and has had tremendous progress through her care. Cathy is a fabulous example of being responsible for your own health and thus NOT being what her doctors thought she would be, in a wheelchair!

In Cathy’s own words….
“I was told by doctors that I would be in a wheelchair by 45 years old. I lived on pain pills, Aleve, Tylenol, allergy pills, cold medications and more only to sleep 4 hours per night. The pain in my hips, shoulders, neck and ears was bad. I was sick every 3 months. The 1st night after my 1st adjustment with Dr. Brad, I got 8 straight hours of sleep with no neck or shoulder pain! Since then, I haven’t had to take any pain pills, cold or allergy medications to sleep or just to breathe in a very long time. I tell everyone I talk to about chiropractic care! It has been the best decision I’ve ever made regarding my health! Attend workshops, do traction, and learn about your body. Learn how to better care for yourself and live a happier and healthier life!”

Patient of the Week June 2009 - Lisa Railey

2009-06-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

Lisa found Dr. Brad when her 3 year old son’s doctor referred her to see a chiropractor. She searched for a natural way to improve her son’s ongoing health problems. Lisa quickly realized chiropractic care wasn’t just for her son, but she and her daughter needed it too in order to maintain their optimal health and heal some problems Lisa had. They NEVER miss their OSA (Originally Scheduled Appointment) and Lisa attends almost all workshops. She learns as much as she can and quickly applies it to her life. Lisa found a way to make sure she is giving her family the best possible start to life!
In Lisa’s own words…
“My children and I started coming to see Dr. Brad in hopes that chiropractic care would help my son’s health issues. Since starting care with Dr. Brad, I no longer have migraines and my energy and moods have greatly improved! I also used to have a lot of pain in my lower back, shoulders, and neck. Since starting care, my lower back pain is gone and the pain in my shoulders and neck is nearly gone!”

March of Dimes Girl- The Rest Of The Story

2009-06-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

I thought you might find this story interesting. Too bad it’s not widely known.

Winifred Gardella's Experience
In the early 1950’s, Winifred Gardella was a poster child for the March of Dimes. Nearly all of us are familiar with her picture that was published in the newspapers to raise huge sums of money for the March of Dimes in San Francisco. Nationally, her image raised millions of dollars to help fight the dreaded crippler, Polio. Her sad, innocent face and her tiny body supported on crutches and leg braces made many Americans reach into their pockets to donate.

But the March of Dimes could not help Winifred. After two and a half years under their Doctor’s expert care, her parents were told “There is no hope”. Despite this dire prediction, her grandparents were determined to find a cure. They were not about to accept the opinion of so called “Medical Experts.”

They decided to choose their own Health care and they took Winifred to Dr. Lewis Robertson, a Chiropractor in Glendale, California. She was adjusted daily, and in less than six months of having her nerve interference corrected Winifred Gardella threw away her crutches and braces, and went for a walk with her chiropractor. She has been walking ever since!

The irony of this story is that not one dollar of the millions she raised for the March of Dimes went to pay for the Chiropractic care which allowed her to walk again!

This is not a “medical miracle”. Personally, I don’t believe in “medical miracles” anyway - I believe in miracles… the God kind! Winifred’s body simply responded normally to Chiropractic adjustments by re-establishing its ideal balance and optimal function. It’s a natural response to Chiropractic.
Regular Chiropractic care is an obvious part of a healthy lifestyle!

Patient of the Week June 2009-Uma Devi

2009-06-04T14:14:00.000-07:00

In Uma's own words...
" I have been a patient of Dr. Brad's since
10/2007. At first, I was skeptical because I saw other chiropractors who promised pain relief. Luckily, I now feel the best I have felt in the last 8 years! Since my treatment began with Dr. Brad, I am no longer nervous and afraid about the sudden restricted mobility and pain that occurred in the past. I had reoccurring neck, upper back and shoulder pain and spasms that kept me from living a happy and productive live. These episodes now are short lived. I don't have to do physicaltherapy that interferes with my work schedule, have painful trigger point injections, and take muscle relaxers, anti- inflammatory medications and pain killers. It feels good not to have to take drugs that only mask the problem and do therapies that won't last. I am confident that Dr. Brad is helping restore my health which is allowing me to live a more fulfilling life and actually help correct the alignment of my spine for optimal health! I believe for the 1st time, I am on the right path to great health and no longer have the ongoing frustration of pain and discomfort that used to disrupt the flow of my abundant and sweet life!"

No More Ear Infections

2009-06-01T10:10:00.000-07:00

Our theme for June is no more ear infections. The ability of your body to fight ear infections, or any infections is directly proportional to the health of your nerve system.

Jenny, age 3-years, presents with chronic recurrent otitis media. The problem has been a difficult one since the first year of her life. Frequent earaches and six trips to the emergency room in just the past five months is straining her parents' patience, not to mention the effect it is having on young Jenny. Consistent courses of different antibiotics have not been able to arrest the problem, and now tympanostomy tubes are being considered.
After Jenny's first chiropractic treatment, the problem appears to be improving. At her follow-up visit, two days later, her earache has gone. One month later, there is still no reoccurrence.
Jenny's is an actual case chosen from the files of the many children who have had seemingly "miracle cures" for chronic recurrent otitis media. Her problem, however, is all too familiar to parents with young children. Otitis media is one of the most common infectious diseases in childhood, with the incidence being greatest in the age group from six to 36 months. Up to one-third of the child population will have six or more episodes before starting school, and some can have up to 12 episodes in a year.1

Who do you know that is suffering from ear infections? Help them get checked for subluxation this month before they have any more damaging medication or tubes.

Staying Power

2009-05-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of my girls! Several months ago we made a goal of hiking to the top of the Sandia Crest on the La Luz trail, elevation 10,678 feet. It is about a 15 mile hike round trip. We knew there would be challenges along the way but we never quite imagined the intensity of those challenges. This is our adventure:

As we watched the weather forecast throughout the week, we knew there was a possibility that we might not be successful. There was a chance of rain expected later in the day so we got an early start. After our family devotional we were on the road at 6:30 a.m.

My girls had planned that on the day we were attempting to reach the top we would skip breakfast at home and just stop for their favorite breakfast burritos and eat them on the way. One of my girls, sadly, occasionally gets “car sick.” So her burrito was untouched when we made it to the trail head. I was concerned about her having such a long day without breakfast so I had her eat part of her burrito at our first stop on the trail. Unfortunately, her stomach was not quite settled and she deposited the contents from her stomach just a little further up the trail. Fortunately, shortly thereafter her stomach settled and she was able to proceed with the help of some energy snacks.

We were all wearing our red, family jerseys with short sleeves and some of us were wearing shorts. It was cool at the beginning but we thought it was just because we got such an early start and anticipated it getting warmer as the sun got higher. It didn’t take long to realize that we would need to keep moving to stay warm!

At about 8000 feet it started misting a bit. Fortunately, there were only hit and miss sprinkles until we had reached over 9000 feet. Then all of a sudden it started to rain pretty hard followed by hail. This was rather uncomfortable. We were strung out on the trail so we quickly scrambled back down the trail slightly to have some minor tree cover while we dug out the kitchen trash bags to use as ponchos. The hail only lasted about a minute and we were left with a light drizzle the rest of the way to the top.

When we made it to 10,000 feet we found shelter along the side of a cliff wall, giving us some relief. Because we were all so cold we didn’t stop long. We trudged on and within a short time Aurora said excitedly, “look, a house.” Little did she know that it was the gift shop at the top and we had reached our destination! As soon as we came out of the trees the wind and rain were so cold that each person ran to the gift shop to escape the frigid temperatures.

There it was. A thermometer at the door of the gift shop showed 32 degrees. So many times along the trail we anticipated that we may need to turn back before reaching the top. We kept on saying “we are getting closer, let’s keep going.” We reached our goal but had not anticipated the challenge would be so hard and uncomfortable.

This is a lot like our health. Whenever we begin a healthy habit there are challenges. At times we may even momentarily “go back down the hill” to escape the unanticipated “hail.” Often when we have a goal of getting healthier we expect that we will “feel better.” Realistically, we have to get uncomfortable to reach our desired goal. We must have the Staying Power to be willing to go through the pain to reach the top. If we expect the challenges, even anticipate some of them but accept that there will be some hardships we hadn’t even thought of, we can be successful in our health goals. We can Reach the Top!

Ups and Downs

2009-05-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

This week I was with my kids on our favorite hike, up the La Luz trail. Atlas, our dog, had her pack filled with extra bottles of water for us, fastened securely on her back. Physically we were prepared. Emotionally we were ready for our longest hike of the year…so far. Our goal was to make it to 9000 feet. Previously we had only reached 8300 feet. We knew that beyond 8300 feet, the trail still goes up, all the way to 10,700 feet. The trail conditions and terrain were a mystery to us, we would have to hike it and experience it.
After a couple of hours, we reached almost 8700 feet and were very tired. Atlas’ back pack was now lightened because we had drunk all the water she was carrying. Because she is a “black” lab, she would stop every time we got to some shade to have just a moment’s relief from the searing sun. We had gotten a late start and so by the time we started on the trail it was already hot, we were tired, we’d used most of our food and water. My heart rate rose, yet it felt like we were going slower and slower. We still had three hundred feet to climb. But we were committed to reach 9000 feet!
As we continued hiking, we noticed the trail started to drop in elevation. Not for just a little bit but for as far as we could see. Our goal was 9000 feet. We were tired and didn’t know how far we would need to go “down” before we could start going “up” again. “OH no! We are going back down. How will we reach 9000 feet?” One of my kids shared her concern with our current situation. She was not excited to hike down for an undetermined length before we could start going up again. We hiked for several minutes in the “descending” fashion, hoping that the trail would soon turn upward so that we could reach our goal before we had totally exhausted our water resources.
Of course the trail did turn back upward, but not until we had descended for almost a hundred feet. Once we started to ascend again the steepness of the trail increased considerably and we reached our goal in a much shorter time than we anticipated.
How many times have I experienced this in my own conditioning or in my patients’ progress toward better health? MANY! There are always “ups and downs” on the way up. I have a patient that had been suffering from headaches for many years. She had exhausted all that the medical profession had to offer without getting relief of the cause of her headaches. She had some immediate relief after her first adjustment and after a few weeks, her headaches were gone. About a month later, she got another headache and then another. They were not as severe as they used to be but she was “concerned” about them after she had experienced a time of reprieve. I explained to her that there were always “ups and downs” on the way up and that regardless of her symptoms, her body was still healing from the years of trauma and neglecting her subluxations. Fortunately, she trusted me and after a few months, her headaches disappeared again for good. The best part is that her underlying problems with digestion have also disappeared. She realizes, this never would have happened if she would have not have been willing to experience some “down” on the way up. She later revealed to me that she was very close to giving up on chiropractic. She realizes that had she quit when she first started going “down” she never would have come “up” to where her overall health is now.
We conquered that part of our hike where we felt like we were losing ground. We weren’t actually losing ground, just experiencing a down on the way up! In the words of my wife’s favorite poet:

I stepped from plank to plank
So slow and cautiously;
The stars about my head I felt,
About my feet the sea.

I knew not but the next
Would be my final inch,--
This gave me that precarious gait
Some call experience.

Emily Dickinson

Patient of the Week - Stephen Ponds - May 2009

2009-05-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

Stephen truly knows what chiropractic care can do for quality of life! Stephen was fed up with having chronic headaches, ringing in his ears , fatigue, neck and back pain. He was ready to feel better and live a pain- free life. This is what brought him to our office. However once Stephen learned that his body possessed its own innate ability to heal, he quickly became a chiopratic lifer! Stephen knows the importnace of being adjusted regularly to keep his nervous system working properly throughout his life. Stephen, thank you for your confidence in your body's ability to heal!

In Stephen's own words...

“The reason I sought chiropractic care was because of the severe pain in my neck and back. The pain made it difficult to even move. In addition, I would get severe migraine headaches which didn’t allow me to concentrate at work. Since I have started care with Dr. Brad and my body has been able to heal, my neck and back have had almost no pain at all! I can’t remember the last time I had a migraine and I now have more energy than I ever had in the past 10 years! Thank you for turning my power on! I encourage new people to start sooner than later because the pain will only get worse if you wait. Don’t give up! You never know what the next adjustment will do for you! You may be only one adjustment away from the experience you have been hoping for!”

Do or Do Not, There is No Try...

2009-05-14T10:06:00.001-07:00

This is my favorite quote from Yoda and the Star Wars Movie. It symbolizes true commitment. Two of our patients took part in the New Mexico Challenge, a 12 week fitness commitment at a local gym. It was complete with before and after pictures and everything. They had a great experience and it changed their life. The most interesting thing about it was only 22% of the people that started actually finished and had the post pictures taken. That means a whopping 78% of the people that decided it would be a good idea... tried! They didn't DO! Cynthia and Sarah, Congratulations! You are DOERS.
Where is your level of commitment for your health? Are you "trying" to get healthy or are you "doing" what it takes to be well. Your commitment level will dictate your health. Your health is your responsibility. One of our new patients Dennis, told me something profound the day we did his new patient exam and took his x-rays. He said " I have spent many years learning and studying how to be healthy and my health is my responsibility. I will not give the responsibility of my health to you. If the philosophy of your office supports that than I invite you to be a part of my team." Thank you for letting us be a part of your team.

Every day we have negative forces in out life. These forces com from physical stress (sitting more that 3 hours per day, sucked into a computer screen with FHP, poor posture or poor sleeping habits), chemical stress (poor nutritional habits, medications), and emotional stress (work pressures, family discontent, relationship struggles). These negative forces are REAL and they happen virtually everyday.

It is our responsibility to create more positive forces in out life than we have negative forces. Positive forces will come from the healthy habits you are "commit ed" to (keeping your adjustment schedule, eating healthy- life- giving foods, exercising, having positive self talk, seeking and accepting help from God daily).

You don't have to be perfect for be committed. You just need to put more positive forces in your life than there are negative forces. The degree that this is happening for you will dictate the degree of your "wellness." So if you are struggling with some health issues, ask yourself are you "trying" or if you are "doing."

Patient of the Week - Gary Cordray - May 2009

2009-05-13T14:13:00.001-07:00

Gary, his wife and his soon to be 4 children were some of our first patients when we opened in Rio Rancho! They have been under care since June 2004 and will be starting their 6th year of care! This is when Gary's business, Cordray Electric, wired our building. While Gary's work is phenomenal, his body had suffered for delivering such quality electrical work to so many over the years. Gary has had tremendous improvement over this time and knows the importance of his entire family being chiropractic LIFERS!

In Gary's own words...
" I suffer from severe asthma and allergies. Nothing I tried in the past was really able to control these problems. As I received my adjustments and followed Dr. Brad's advice, along with watching my diet and exercising more frequently, I noticed a vast improvement in my breathing. My weekly adjustments continue fine tuning my body and work to restore its past damage. I would tell people the key to chiropractic care is to stay consistent and listen to Dr. Brad's counsel. When I don't, my body suffers."

May Day

2009-05-01T05:08:00.001-07:00

We've heard it before in the Movies. A plane is going down, out of control. A "Mayday" situation is one in which a vessel, aircraft,vehicle, or person is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.

In the past, you may have been in your own "May Day" situation. Maybe you are like one of our patients, Patti, who started care with us just 4 weeks ago, who had exhausted all of her known resources to find the cause of her chronic arm pain and health problems. This has been interfering with her life for 20 years now. It started after a car accident as a teenager. Numerous exams, x-rays, MRI's and countless drugs and doctor visits later, she was still getting worse, not better. Then, about a month ago we were siting at the sidelines of both of our daughters' soccer game. She was motivated to ask me personally if chiropractic would help. She asked because she "felt" I could give her answers.

Are there people in your life who are sending out a MAYDAY cry for help? Another of our patients, Mary, who was our Patient of the Week April 13th-19th, is that "listening ear," continually proclaiming to the people she cares about that chiropractic has answers. Her commitment to share chiropractic has been an influence for having many people checked for subluxation and giving them the opportunity to have their "May Day" cry heard.

There are so many people crying out "May Day, May Day, May Day!" They are looking for answers to their health problems. Perhaps you are one of them.

I am a chiropractic patient because I used to suffer from severe asthma and allergies. My life has changed through chiropractic and I made a commitment about 18 years ago that I would do my best to answer the Health distress call, and help as many people as possible have their life changed through chiropractic. I am so grateful to be a chiropractor and to be able to witness miracles every day.

Patient of the Week-Nadia Montoya-April 2009

2009-04-27T05:53:00.000-07:00

Nadia is incredibly dedicated to the purpose of Chiropractic in her life. Not only does she share her story of improved life and healing with her friends and co-workers, but also meets every new patient she can to help them in their journey to wellness. Nadia knows the importance of chiropractic care in keeping her 8 year old son healthy and asthma treatment-free. Nadia is also part of the Wellness Certification, Healing Fine in 2009 program. She is working hard for her greatly improved health and healing. Congratulations, Nadia! You deserve it.

In Nadia's own words...
"Before beginning chiropractic care, I suffered from constant, chronic migraines. I had been diagnosed with an increased level of prolactin in my blood causing lactation problems when I was not breastfeeding. As a result of this, I had a tumor form on my pituitary gland. Since being under care, my headaches are a lot less often and not as severe! I was able to conceive! I can now sleep comfortably through the night and I no longer experience the painful tension in my neck and shoulder area. My son, who has asthma, has not needed a single treatment since beginning his care a year ago! The possibilities are endless with chiropractic! I recommend chiropractic to anyone with a beating heart so they can start fully living the life God has blessed them with!"

Earth Day 2009

2009-04-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

What significance does Earth Day have with Chiropractic? Everything!

I was recently hiking up the La Luz trail with some of my kids. We saw signs that told us to stay on the trail. When one of my kids asked me why that was so important, I was able to explain about how erosion works. If people on the trail consistently take short cuts and hike on unmaintained areas, then when it rains it will wash out and cause erosion. It is a rule, made for a good reason and as we are good STEWARDS, future generations will be able to still hike up La Luz and enjoy the magnificent views.

God created this wonderful Earth and everything on it, including you and me. God told Adam and Eve to take care of His wonderful creations, We are the stewards. How we care for ourselves and the rest of His creations is an indicator of how we are upholding this stewardship. You may think that not taking care yourself is only hurting you. Not so! Who is going to take care of you when you can no longer take care of yourself? Your kids?

Quite simply, it is a rule. More appropriately a principle. We could call it the Law of Erosion. Just as the earth will Erode if it is not cared for properly, our bodies will also go through a similar erosion if they are consistently neglected. As we are good stewards of our health and our earth, we are making it easier and better for the next generation.

Enjoy the Earth and everything on it.

Patient of the Week April 2009-John Lombardo

2009-04-18T20:32:00.000-07:00

John and his wonderful wife Marie always have a pleasant smile when they come to our office. They don't believe that their Golden years should be spent sitting in a rocking chair. We met the Lombardos 2 years ago at a health fair. Their whole lives have been spent on seeking better ways to be healthy. When they heard our philosophy about how the body can heal itself if we remove the interference, it made so much sense that they whole-heartedly embraced it.

John had been a chiropractic patient before we met him but he had never experienced a Wellness program like we offer. He didn't know that in his early years he suffered the effects of subluxation in his spine. His problem was worsened by having to sleep with multiple pillows to prop him up because of severe acid reflux. The resulting spinal problems led to 3 surgeries on his spine. We wish we had met John earlier and got him on his way to relief and better health sooner!

In John's own words...
"The chiropractic care I received my first year resulted in a full recession of a serious 13 year bout of acid reflux problems! I had been sleeping sitting up in bed to keep my upper body at a 45 degree angle. I could not lay flat without literally strangling myself. Within a few months of my care, I was able to lay flat and sleep normally. Anyone who has experienced the pain and discomfort involved with this, will understand what a miracle this is!"

2009-04-08T11:13:00.000-07:00

Patient of the Week April 2009
Mary

Mary is always spreading the word about how chiropractic care has changed her life and how it can help others! In our office, Mary tries to meet and get to know everyone, helping build our famous family environment. Outside of the office, Mary tells everyone she knows to come get checked for subluxation. Mary faithfully keeps her Originally Scheduled Adjustments. What a star patient!

In Mary's own words...

"As a little girl, I can remember my father telling me to stand up straight. 62 years is a long time to have poor posture! That is what brought me in after seeing the "Forward Head Posture" brochure at a screening. Over these few months, I have noticed that I am not experiencing pain in my upper right arm and a decrease in frequency of headaches. The warmth, kindness and happiness of the office atmosphere was something that I had not ever experienced! I highly recommend Straight Chiropractic as a preventative and life-enhancing form of health care!"

2009-04-08T10:36:00.000-07:00

Patient of the Week April 2009
Marcella

Marcella's health has improved drastically in just the 4 months that she has been under care! Not only is she enjoying better overall health, but her quality of life has improved. Marcella has read practically every book in our lending library! She is truly dedicated to learning as much as she can about chiropractic care and how to change her own health. Marcella never misses her appointments and her cervical curve (curve in her neck) has corrected by 14%! Marcella, you are awesome and truly an inspiration to many others!

In Marcella's own words....

"Despite receiving other chiropractic care, I was almost unable to walk. I was told I needed surgery. I was reluctant because I know several people who said their surgery was not worth it. I have progressed from barely being able to walk in from right in front of the office door to being able to walk an entire block to the office! I could not stand long enough to get through my x-rays, but now I could! I am more active now and have planted a veggie garden. I am able to enjoy spending time with my grandson!"