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Plastics make up 90% of all trash entering the ocean

 

Discarded plastics make up 18.5% of landfills and 90% of all trash entering the oceans.  Research estimates hypothesize that by the year 2050, the oceans will contain by weight, more plastic than fish.  As of 2006, there are certain oceans where plastic accumulation has exceeded the small, microscopic organism plankton by a 6 to 1 factor.  Animal research has found plastic particles in the brains of mice, just two hours after drinking water containing microplastics.  Scientists are saying that microplastics in our brain can impair cognitive function, cause neurotoxicity and contribute to behavioral changes.  Follow the money trail.  The plastic industry presented consumers with the idea that plastics were recyclable, making plastic a sustainable resource.  Consumers were also tricked by the recycling codes on the bottom of the plastic.  The codes give the impression that all plastics are recyclable and they are not. 

Have you ever gone to the chiropractor’s office while suffering from a stuffy or congested nose?  Did you notice that when your neck was given a spinal adjustment, you started to breathe easier?  The nerves in the neck control sinus function.  The chiropractic adjustment improves the nerve flow to the sinuses and the sinuses start to function better, allowing breathing through the nose to be easier.  This is how chiropractic works all over the body, improving nerve flow for greater bodily function.  

As a chiropractor, I am often asked two questions.  The first is, “What is that noise that occurs when my spine is adjusted?” And number two, “Will cracking my knuckles give me arthritis?”   Years ago, the common belief was that the sound your joints make when “cracked” is due to the popping of bubbles in the fluid between the joint.  Recent research backs up the answer that I give to my patients (who would have thought I would have figured this out years ago!) The researchers using MRI video determined why joints make a popping sound when they crack. It’s not the bubbles popping, the sound comes from a gas.  Lead study author Greg Kawchuk, a professor in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta, said: “It’s a little bit like forming a vacuum… As the joint surfaces suddenly separate, there is no more fluid available to fill the increasing joint volume, so a cavity is created and that event is what’s associated with the sound.”  Another similar explanation suggests that when the spine is given a traditional chiropractic spinal adjustment or when you “crack” your knuckles, the joint space between your bones is expanded, creating less pressure.  This pulls joint fluid into the joint gap. The entrance of joint fluid is what causes the popping sound sensation when the spine is adjusted or the knuckle is “cracked.”  If I am losing you on this topic, this will make it much clearer for you.  Years ago, I was on a local radio station in the morning discussing chiropractic care.  I even brought my portable chiropractic table and demonstrated a spinal adjustment live on the radio.  Afterwards I was asked the question, “What is that cracking noise that comes from the chiropractic adjustment?”  I went on to give the escaping gas answer.  As this was one of those morning, “shock” type radio shows the reply I received (broadcast all over Southern New Jersey) was priceless.  The DJ said, “So, it’s like a spine fart?”   Funny.  I could only answer yes!!  As far as acquiring arthritis from cracking your knuckles, the answer is no.  There is a membrane covering your joints that holds the joint fluid, this membrane protects your joints from harm.  A study of over 200 people showed that the rate of arthritis in the hands occurs equally when compared to groups of people who crack their knuckles and those who do not.  Some research even indicates that periodically cracking knuckles in hands that do not have arthritis, may prevent arthritis from occurring.  So, never fear.  Your chiropractic spinal adjustment and knuckle cracking are safe and sound.  Just don’t do it in a crowded elevator!!

Pregnancy Prenatal Chiropractic Care Information:  During pregnancy, many women complain of lower abdominal discomfort or tension. The growing uterus is pulling and straining the muscles that support it. During pregnancy, you may feel sharp pains or just a mild pulling sensation. It often occurs when you cough, sneeze, stand up, sit down, roll over, or during sex.  In addition, two ligaments that support the uterus, the round ligaments become very tense.  If one of these ligaments is more tense then the other, one of the effects is deceased size in the uterus.  The decrease in size prohibits the baby from moving freely and can lead to a breached position fetus.  Chiropractic adjustments balance the pelvis and relax the round ligaments, preventing uterine constraint.

Thought for the Week:  “You never know how far reaching what you think say or do today will affect the lives of millions tomorrow.” ~ BJ Palmer, Developer of Chiropractic.  This quote by the chiropractic doctor who developed the chiropractic profession is a major inspiration to me.  This is why I write health tips every week for 15 years and why I constantly explain chiropractic as healthcare, why I coach youth rugby and more importantly, how I talk and act with my children.  You never know the impact of your words and actions for the future.  By talking with purpose, you can change the lives of others as well as the people they know and love and so on and so forth.  It’s a trickle down affect!!

Author
Dr J. Zimmerman, Chiropractor Dr. Zimmerman is a practicing chiropractor from Galloway, NJ with 30 years of chiropractic practice.

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