Tag Archives: drugs

Are Statins a Waste of Time, Money?

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What Do Statins Do? Are Statins Good For Me?

The headline above comes from a Newsmax Health article by Lynn Allison published on January 11, 2017. The article offers information showing that one of the most profitable drugs of all time is actually based on a false theory. Statin drugs bring in over $34 billion in sales each year.

Are Statins a Waste of Time, Money - Austin Chiropractor Texas Natural Health Wellness No Medication NecessaryMs. Allison begins the article by saying, “Millions are being misled about the pros and cons of statin drugs.” She goes on to explain that a recently convened panel of experts are suggesting that the theory of bad cholesterol may be faulty. If this revelation is true, it would mean that the millions of statin drugs being given are unnecessary and may even be harmful.

Additionally, the side effects of taking statins may be more serious than treating cholesterol, if that cholesterol is not as harmful as once thought. Some of the side effects of statin drugs include muscle pain, liver damage, increase in blood sugar, type 2 diabetes, memory issues, and neurological effects.

Dr. John Abramson of the Harvard Medical School stated in the article that earlier research found no link between high LDL cholesterol levels and heart deaths in those over 60. In an article titled “The Great Cholesterol Con,” Dr. Abramson stated, “A lack of association between LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular disease in those over 60 from our recent systemic review suggests the conventional cholesterol hypothesis is flawed.”

Dr. Richard Thompson, former physician to the Queen of England, asks the questions, “For hundreds of years physicians have clung to outdated and ineffective treatments. Could statins be now the latest star to fall? Have patients been misled over them for many years?”

Dr. Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., co-author of “The Great Cholesterol Myth,” also added to this article by saying, “Our book, ‘The Great Cholesterol Myth,’ references dozens of studies that not only cast doubt on the cholesterol theory but in some cases totally refutes the notion that cholesterol causes heart disease. We list several peer-reviewed studies that show more than half the people admitted to hospitals for cardiovascular disease have normal cholesterol. Not only doesn’t cholesterol cause heart disease, it is a lousy predictor of it!”

To drive home his point, Dr. Bowden, while appearing on the Dr. Oz show, said, “Trying to lower the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol is like trying to lower the risk of obesity by taking the lettuce off your Big Mac.”

Dr. Bowden further explained the problem with doctors over-prescribing these drugs by saying, “Doctors prescribe them randomly for anyone with a so-called elevated cholesterol level. Interestingly, the Framingham study revealed that people with the highest cholesterol levels actually lived the longest.” He continued, “And the claim from drug companies that statins save lives usually does not hold up upon close examination. You may see a slight reduction in heart attacks but your will see a corresponding increase in cancer and diabetes.”

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First Line of Defense

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There’s an old Chiropractic saying that goes… Adjustments first, drugs second, surgery last. It’s a conservative philosophy of care for those who’d rather give their body a chance to heal naturally first, before calling in the medical cavalry. When it comes to back pain, science is finally in agreement.

prescription to go see the chiropractor atx sciatica musculoskeletal spine low back pain austin tx chiropractic

In 2017, The American College of Physicians developed new guidelines and recommendations for noninvasive care of lower back pain. On the top of that list, before the use of NSAIDs and/or muscle relaxants, are conservative methods like heat, massage or spinal manipulation (we’d rather call it a Chiropractic Adjustment). The study also emphasizes that while pharmacological treatments are easy to prescribe, they all carry varying risks of harm.

Your Chiropractor knows with the right environment (a clear, Subluxation free spine) and TIME, your body can innately recover from just about anything, including simple mechanical back pain. The next time you experience back pain, save yourself an extra step and call the Chiropractor first.  If your MD is up on his or her research, they’ll recommend you do so too.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. Austin chiropractor located in north central Austin, TX.

Source: The American College of Physicians: Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. February 2017: Amir Qaseem, MD, PhD, MHA et.al.

U.S. Doctors Continue Prescribing Unnecessary Drugs, Survey Says

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Do Antibiotics Treat Viruses? What is a Superbug?

The headline above comes from a December 5, 2016, United Press International story reporting on the results of a survey of doctors. The survey, conducted by the American College of Physicians, asked 5000 of their members to identify two drug treatments frequently used by internists that were unlikely to provide high value care to patients.

U.S. Doctors Continue Prescribing Unnecessary Drugs, Survey Says-Austin_TX_Chiropractor_for_Chiropractic_Health_Natural_Spine_Back_BestIn spite of the fact that the doctors knew that the drug treatments they were prescribing were of no value or little value, 27% said that they administered antibiotics even though they knew the drugs would not be effective. The most common scenario described was for upper respiratory illnesses that are mostly caused by viruses. Viruses are not affected by antibiotics making the use of those drugs totally worthless in those situations.

Other scenarios revealed by the survey showed that 9% of the aggressive treatments for terminally ill patients were of “questionable value.” Additionally, 7% of medications for chronic pain were determined to be of little value according to the survey of doctors who gave out these drugs.

Dr. Amir Qaseem, vice president of clinical policy for the American College of Physicians (ACP) and chair of the ACP’s High Value Care Task Force, commented, “There is a lot of waste in our health care system, and we need to acknowledge that.”

The overuse of antibiotics has contributed to the increase of deadly superbug bacteria that are resistant to antibiotic treatments. The UPI article reports that according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States alone, more than 2 million people a year are infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Even worse is that at least 23,000 of these people die each year as a direct result of these untreatable infections.

The CDC estimated that half of all antibiotics given to patients are not necessary. This translates into approximately 47 million unnecessary prescriptions for antibiotics in the U.S. each year.

Dr. Qaseem tried to explain why some doctors are adding to this situation by saying, “If a patient shows up in a physician’s practice and they have an upper respiratory tract infection, it is most often viral and will resolve itself in a few days,” Qaseem said. “You tell the patient to go home, rest, and it will be OK, but generally the expectation of a patient is that you will do something more than that.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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Lowering the Bar: Adult ADHD, a Risky Diagnosis?

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Do Adults Need ADHD Medication? What Are ADHD Medications Side Effects?

The above headline comes from a September 10, 2016, article on MedPage Today that calls into question the growing numbers of adults taking ADHD medications. The article begins by noting that opioid abuse has recently been the focus of much public attention, but less talked about is the growing problem of abuse and the growing numbers of people using ADHD drugs.

lowering-the-bar-adult-adhd-a-risky-diagnosis-austin-tx-chiropractor-health-wellness-chiropractor-car-truck-accidentThe article notes that since 2013, the FDA has received 19,000 reports of complications from ADHD drugs. The vast majority of these come from stimulants like Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, and Vyvanse. Adults seem to be far more likely to suffer adverse events involving hospitalization or death than are children.

According to the latest federal estimates, Adderall has led the way for increased usage going from 345,000 people in 2006 to 1.4 million in 2014. The number of emergency room visits due to Adderall and Ritalin have increased fivefold over the past 7 years. Between the years 2010 and 2015, sales of ADHD drugs increased from $7.9 billion to $11.2 billion.

One concern is that ADHD drug testing on adults lasts only several weeks or months and falls far short of the years that many other drugs are tested. This means that the long-term effects of these drugs are not known.

The article gives two basic reasons for the jump in usage. First is the aggressive marketing by the drug companies that produce these drugs. Second, they note that the diagnostic criteria for prescribing these drugs has been greatly relaxed allowing more people to fall within the diagnosis that is treated with these drugs. In other words, “The bar has been lowered.”

A panel from the American Psychiatric Association made the recommendations to lower the criteria in 2013. The article noted that 78% of the experts making the recommendations had financial ties to drug companies who benefited from the panel’s recommendations.

The article notes that some of the symptoms needed to reach an adult ADHD diagnosis include such vague items as an inability to focus on tasks, fidgeting, or interrupting others. Additionally the article reported that, “One study published in 2010 found that 22% of adults tested for ADHD had exaggerated their symptoms.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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Majority in U.S. Say Chiropractic Works for Neck and Back Pain

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Who Utilizes Chiropractic Care in Austin, Texas? Who is the Best Chiropractor in Austin?

The Gallup Poll released the results of a survey on August 26, 2016, showing that 35.5 million U.S. adults saw a chiropractor in the past year. The study also noted that one in four adults sought care for neck and back pain in the prior 12 months.

Majority in U.S. Say Chiropractic Works for Neck and Back Pain - Austin TX Chiropractor Personal Injury PI Car Auto Truck Accident HelpThe Gallup survey, in conjunction with Palmer College of Chiropractic, found that 65% of adults said that they suffered back and neck pain serious enough to cause them to seek a health care provider at some point in their lives. When asked by the survey, “When was the last time that you had neck or back pain significant enough that you saw a healthcare professional for care?,” approximately 11% responded it was in the last four weeks.

In a release from Palmer College, Cynthia English, Gallup research consultant in charge of the study noted, “Many Americans reported dealing with significant neck or back pain.” Ms. English noted that a high percentage of those sought chiropractic care. “Among U.S. adults who sought professional care for neck or back pain, seven in 10 (71 percent) tell us they have been to a doctor of chiropractic.”

This survey was the second annual Gallup survey on chiropractic in partnership with Palmer College. The first showed that two-thirds of Americans said that chiropractic was effective for neck and back pain. It also showed that many adults said that chiropractors think of patient’s best interest, and that more than 33 million U.S. adults saw a chiropractor in the previous year.

In the current poll, Americans rated physical therapy and chiropractic as the most effective method of care for neck and back problems. These were in contrast to drugs or surgery which ranked much lower. Similarly, physical therapy and chiropractic were also ranked as safer by the public than drugs or surgery.

In the Palmer College release, it was noted that chiropractic care is very well received as demonstrated by the poll results. “Nearly 62 million U.S. adults (25 percent) went to a chiropractor in the last five years, with more than half (35.5 million) saying they went in the last 12 months. Adults who’ve seen a chiropractor in the last 12 months are generally very positive about their experience. About three in four of these adults (77 percent) describe the treatment they received as ‘very effective.’ Eighty-eight percent of recent chiropractic patients agree the quality of care they received was a good value for the money.”

Christine Goertz, D.C., Ph.D., vice chancellor for research and health policy at Palmer College of Chiropractic, commented on the study, “Low-back pain and neck pain place a tremendous burden on our society.” Dr. Goetz concluded, “The opioid-overuse epidemic in the United States demonstrates that Americans need safe, effective, conservative health-care alternatives to prescription pain killers.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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America’s Other Drug Problem: Too Many Prescriptions for Elderly

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Does Being Under Chiropractic Care Help Reduce Medications? What Else Can I Do Besides Take Drugs?

The headline above comes from an article published on September 4, 2016, in the Los Angeles Daily News. The article was originally produced on August 30, 2016, by Kaiser Health News, and highlights the over usage of prescription medication on seniors.

americas-other-drug-problem-too-many-prescriptions-for-elderly-austin-tx-chiropractor-for-best-chiropractic-care-near-meThe article begins with observations by Dominick Bailey, a clinical pharmacist specializing in geriatric care at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, California. In performing his job of reviewing medication that the patients are taking, he noted several medications for elderly patients that were contraindicated and could cause harm. One 74-year-old patient, who had a history of multiple health problems, was on 36 different medications. Bailey’s reactions was, “This is actually a little bit alarming.”

Dr. Maristela Garcia, director of the inpatient geriatric unit also at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, commented, “This is America’s other drug problem-polypharmacy, and the problem is huge.”

The article reports that, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the elderly account for about 35 percent of hospital stays. However, they note that over half experience drug-related complications causing hospital stays to be extended by an average of about three days.

One of the issues pointed out in the article is that many medications are being given to the elderly with no time line to ever consider discontinuing them. “There’s a tendency in medicine every time we start a medicine to never stop it,” stated Dr. Ken Covinsky, University of California, San Francisco researcher and physician.

One of Bailey’s responsibilities at the UCLA Medical Center is to reduce the number of medications the elderly are taking. He also explains his concepts to other pharmacists and young interns at his center. In one such exchange, he explained that there is a fundamental difference on how drugs affect older people, “As you know, our elderly are already at risk for an accumulation of drugs in their body,” he told the group. “If you put a drug that has a really long half-life, it is going to last even longer in our elderly.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among older Americans (aged 60 and over), more than 76% used two or more prescription drugs, and 37% used five or more.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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Epileptic Seizures Gone with Chiropractic Care

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What is Epilepsy? Can Chiropractic Care Help Epileptic Seizures?

Published in the August 1, 2016, issue of the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research is a documented case study of a patient being helped with epileptic seizures. The study defines epilepsy by stating, “Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked epileptic seizures.”

Epileptic Seizures Gone with Chiropractic Care - Car accident collision injury care in Austin texasIn describing the mechanism of seizures, the authors of the study note that seizures are an abnormal and unregulated electrical discharge that occurs within the gray matter of the brain and interrupts normal brain function. They report that between 8 and 10 percent of the population will experience a single seizure some time in their lives with 3 percent developing into epilepsy.

Seizures are generally treated medically with a variety of drugs. However, about 30 percent of those treated are not contained or adequately managed by the medications. Those that can gain some control with their medication are relegated to accepting any side effects while taking that medication for the rest of their lives. For this reason, many patients have sought alternative types of care such as chiropractic.

In this case, a 23-year-old woman suffering from grand-mal seizures went to the chiropractor. She had been suffering from seizures since the age of 21. Since getting seizures, the frequency has increased from two per month to twice weekly. Her history noted that within the first year of her epilepsy diagnosis, she had lost fifty pounds and developed depression, anxiety, migraines, allergies, severe fatigue and memory loss. She was then given medications for these ailments as well. Even after being prescribed a high dose of epilepsy medication, she was still having 2 seizures per week.

A chiropractic examination was performed including a physical examination, postural analysis, palpation, and spinal x-rays. The diagnosis reached from her examination was temporal lobe epilepsy, abnormal posture, and chronic subluxations in the cervical, thoracic, and pelvic areas.

Chiropractic care was started at the rate of three visits per week, and included specific adjustments of the detected subluxations. Within two months of chiropractic care, the patient reported a complete alleviation of her anxiety and depression. She also reported feeling overall improvement and started to take herself off her medications. Her improvement continued over the next several months. By her six-month evaluation, the woman was off all medications and was free of any seizures.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

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More Chiropractic Equals Less Opioid Use

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Can Chiropractic Care Help My Pain? How Does Chiropractic Work Without Using Medications?

A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) on March 28, 2016, showed that when there was more spent on chiropractic services, or more chiropractors in an area, there was overall less opioid usage.

More Chiropractic Equals Less Opioid Use - Austin TX Chiropractor personal injury for car and truck accidentsRecently, there have been a number of studies and articles showing that there is a growing problem with opioid usage and addiction in the United States. According to the CDC, nearly 2 million Americans abused or were dependant on prescription opioids in 2014. Between 1999 and 2014, 165,000 people died from prescription opioids. In response to this problem, the CDC issued their new “Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain.”

The purpose of the JMPT study was twofold: to see if either the ratio of chiropractors to the general public, or the amount spent on chiropractic services had a correlation with opioid use among younger, disabled Medicare beneficiaries.

This study looked at the number of chiropractors per 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries as well as per-capita spending for chiropractic care on Medicare beneficiaries in the year 2011. The results showed that more chiropractors, or more spending on chiropractic services was associated with a decrease in the usage of opioid medication in younger, disabled Medicare beneficiaries.

“When people choose chiropractic, there is a less chance that they will turn to opioid pain medications,” states Dr. George Curry, president of the International Chiropractors Association. “Chiropractic has always offered drug free choice to a population that is being continually bombarded with pharmaceutical advertising.”

The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) issued a release on the problem of opioid usage on April 4, 2016, which stated, “With 72 percent of doctors prescribing opioids for back pain and 67 percent prescribing these potentially addictive drugs for chronic joint pain, the F4CP points to the value of evidence-based, drug-free chiropractic care as a safe and effective alternative for pain management often resulting from back, neck, musculoskeletal conditions and headaches.”

The F4CP release continued, “Given the high prevalence of these musculoskeletal conditions — an estimated 126.6 million Americans (one in two adults) validated by a March 2016 report from the United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI).” the care provided by doctors of chiropractic (DCs) becomes even more important.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson.

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