Dr. Rathburn's Blog

A new study published within the past month now shows conclusively that yoga is indeed better than pain medication for patients with chronic lower back pain!  As many of you know, for years there was a yoga studio right next door to me.  I loved to send patients over there for yoga classes because it was such a wonderful adjunct to the chiropractic care I offered.  The patients responded wonderfully and got well and stayed well for long, long periods of time. 

Now a study published in Spine shows that yoga works better than drugs.  The study randomly divided 90 patients with chronic lower back pain into two groups.  One group received conventional medical therapy and the other participants took 90 minute classes twice a week for 24 weeks, doing postures targeted to relieve chronic low back pain.  The chief researcher, Kimberly Williams, PhD., stated "The yoga group had less pain, less functional disability and less depression compared with the control group.  These were statistically significant and clinically important changes that were maintained six months after the intervention."  Wow!  Six months is an impressive time frame considering these were people who suffered with lower back pain for years!

Maybe now we should consider calling "conventional" medical therapy alternative medical therapy.  After all, drugs are much, much more risky than flexibility exercises like yoga.  This is one of the cornerstones to the Health Care Classes that I offer on Tuesday nights.  I teach these kinds of topics and show my patients what risks are involved with each type of provider.  Some  Tuesday night at 6 pm take an hour to drop by the office and learn these principles of healthcare.  Its always a very lively class and it's incredibly informational.  However, you must RSVP if you plan to attend.  601 924 4647.

One of my patients sent me some information on flu prevention.  It's some really good information that needs to be shared with the rest of my patients, especially since I went on a rant earlier in the year about the Swine Flu "Epidemic" (see earlier blogs).  Flu season is approaching, so follow these rules to prevent a nasty outbreak!

Remember that flu CANNOT infect you through your skin.  It can only infect you through contact to your mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth).  Once the virus lands there, it proliferates for 48-72 hours.  Thereafter, it becomes rather systemic and your symptoms appear.  There isn't much you can do once the symptoms appear except be sick until your body builds up the resistance to overcome the viruses effect.  That usually takes 24 hours to one week, depending on how strong the virus is or how weak your body defenses are.  Take precautions and stay well! 

1.  Frequent hand washing to stop spreading the virus.

2.  Keep your hands OFF YOUR FACE!  Resist all temptations to touch any part of your face (eating or bathing doesn't count, but wash before eating)!

3.  Gargle twice a day with warm salt water, Listerine, or some kind of antiseptic mouthwash.  A simple gargle with a sterilizing mouthwash will prevent the flu viruses proliferating in the mouth. 

4.  Similar to number 3: clean your nostrils out.  I do this once per day while in the shower.  I get a cupful of water in my hands and snort it right up my nose and then blow it right back out.  It's kind of disgusting, but how often have you come into the office and seen me with sinus trouble or the flu?

5.  Boost your natural immunity with foods rich in Vitamin C (citrus fruits are the best).  We have Vitamin C here at the clinic for purchase, complete with zinc to boost absorption.

6.  Drink liquids, and plenty of them.  Warmer liquids are better than cooler ones.  Drinking liquid has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction.  The liquid will wash the viruses from the throat into the stomach acid where they can't survive or proliferate.  The stomach acid is an incredibly strong disinfectant.