Tag Archives: Vu Family Chiropractic

Improving Health with Improved Balance and Orthotics

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Nam Vu| Leave a comment

Many adults are faced with cumulative traumas, combined with the degenerative conditions of ligament laxity and decreased sensory input in general.  You already know how complicated the process of human balance is, but are you aware that balance requires coordinated participation of sensory (visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive) and motor systems?  Because of the complexity, treating balance often requires cooperation among several healthcare specialists; however, the chiropractor’s ability to positively affect proprioception and motor control should be fairly obvious.

Injuries to the lower extremity, whether acute or from chronic deformation, can alter proprioception and diminish the motor response of balance.  Any musculoskeletal abnormality-for example, weakness of the ankle joint muscles and/or reduced range of motion about the ankles-shrinks the limits of stability.

Chiropractic adjustments improve proprioceptive input by normalizing joint alignment and muscle tones in general.  Adjustments are most effective when supported by proper muscular retraining, rehabilitation, and orthotic support.  The feet contain approximately one quarter of all the body’s joints and a concentration of proprioceptive fibers.  Therefore, it makes sense that supporting the postural foundation using individually designed stabilizing orthotics will help enhance balance.

So next time you have low back or hip pain, look at your feet and examine how you walk in the mirror.  You may need to properly be fitted for a good pair of orthotics.  Contact our office to get a free complimentary foot exam.  We use state of the art technology from Foot Levelers.

Sources: Foot Levelers Balanced Insights Vol 2, Iss 2, Sept 2012

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Omega 3s: Reduce Heart Disease, Stroke, and Type 2 Diabetes

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Nam Vu| Leave a comment

 

 

Numerous studies in the past decade have shown clinical support of the use of Omega-3 fatty acids supplement to assist in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.  A study recently published in Nutrition and Metabolism is the first to show how Omega-3 fatty acids play a role in metabolic processes with respect to blood sugar and fat processing, reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

“These findings are important because the aging process is closely linked with a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome – a clustering of risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and obesity,” says Professor Breier, Chair of Human Nutrition at the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health.  Professor Breier leads an international research team and indicates Omega-3 fatty acids improve carbohydrate and fat metabolism.  A diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids helps to burn metabolic fuels (glucose and fat) better, and can regulate energy storage across different tissue.

Foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids include:

  • Flax Seeds
  • Walnuts
  • Fatty fish and Seafood (Chinook Salmon, Sardines, Halibut, Scallops, Shrimp, Anchovies, Snapper, Yellowfin Tuna, Cod, Bluefish, Herring, Mackerel, Sturgeon, Lake Trout)
  • Leafy Green Vegetables (Kale, Spinach, Lettuce)
  • Winter Squash
  • Oils (Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Canola Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Linseed Oil, Coconut Oil
  • With fish and oil, stay away from frying, since frying will damage the Omega-3′s and deprive the food of its health benefits

Our office also recommends Tuna Omega-3 oil/chewable supplements from Standard Process.  We trust Standard Process since they are a whole food supplements company with a reputable name.

Sources:

MAC Journal 8/2012

ProactiveLife Press Release, “Omega-3 Fish Oil can Reduce Risk of Developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease according to Recent Studies, by Proactive Life, ” March 13, 2012

 

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Michigan Senate Takes Steps to Protect Young Athletes from Concussions

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Nam Vu| Leave a comment

In late May, the Michigan Senate unanimously approved legislation that aims to protect young athletes from concussions.  Senate Bill 1122- sponsored by state Senator John Proos (R-St. Joseph) – requires educating coaches of youth sports organizations, including schools, and requiring them to adopt a concussion awareness program.  A concussion awareness program would include training and distribution of brochures for parents and athletes.  A youth suspected of sustaining a concussion would be required to be immediately removed from activity and would not be able to return until he or she had been evaluated by a health professional and received written clearance to play.

“Nationwide and throughout Michigan, we hear more and more about tragic deaths and debilitating brain injuries that are suspected to be linked to concussions.  The number of children suffering sport-related concussions is rising at an alarming rate- impacting the lives of many young people.  It is time to acknowledge the seriousness of concussions in youth sports and set guidelines to ensure child safety is always the top priority,” Senator Proos said in a statement after the Senate passed the bill.

The National Football League (NFL) has been canvassing the nation to try to pass legislation like SB 1122 in all 50 states.  Roughly 35 states have enacted legislation similar to Michigan’s bill so far.  Detroit Lions President Tom Lewand, former Detroit Lions tight end Charlie Sanders, and a representative from the NFL all testified in favor of the legislation in the Senate Health Policy Committee earlier in the month.

Lewand talked about the impact of concussions and the need to address it at all levels of sport, saying “What the NFL and the Detroit Lions are working to establish is a standard of care across the country, so that youth athletes, coaches and volunteers are knowledgeable enough to recognize the signs of concussion and kids get the medical attention they need to recover before returning to play.”

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder supports the efforts as well: “Concussions are serious brain injuries that are increasingly affecting young athletes… Establishing concussion awareness programs will help parents and coaches make youth sports safer.”

State Representative Tom Hooker (R-Byron Center) has introduced similar legislation in the Michigan House of Representatives and also testified in favor of SB 1122, saying, “I come to the issue of concussions from the standpoint of a former coach with 37 years of experience… Many times these injuries occur without medical staff present, making it primarily important that all the coaches have the ability to recognize the signs of brain injuries.”

Others testifying in favor of the bill included representatives from the Brain Injury Association of Michigan and the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

The bill now moves to the Michigan House of Representatives’ Health Policy Committee for evaluation and consideration.

sources: MAC Journal July 2012

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We now accept Priority Health at VFC!

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Nam Vu| Leave a comment

After waiting for nearly two years, we are now in network with Priority Health.  Please contact our office at 238.8888 for any questions.

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Workers’ Comp Study: Lumbar Fusion Surgery Fails 74% of the Time

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Nam Vu| Leave a comment

Did you know that the annual number of spinal fusion operations in the U.S. increased more than 75 percent between 1996 and 2001?  But “failed back sugary syndrome” is still a common problem, with enormous costs to patients, insurers, and society.

According to a study published in Spine last year, spinal fusion surgeries often backfire, failing an astonishing 74 percent of the time!

Researchers looked at 1,450 workers’ compensation patients who had diagnosis of disc herniation, radiculopathy, or disc degeneration.  Half of the patients had fusion surgery in hopes of curing low back pain.  The other half had no surgery, even though they had comparable diagnoses.  The results were as follows:

  • Two year after fusion surgery, 26 percent of union cases had returned to work, while 67 percent of nonsurgical controls had returned to work within town years from date of injury
  • The re-operation rate was 27 percent for surgical patients
  • Of the lumbar fusion subjects, 36 percent had complications
  • Permanent disability rates were 11 percent for surgery case and 2 percent for nonoperative controls
  • For lumbar fusion subjects, daily opioid use increased 41 percent after surgery, with 76 percent of cases continuing opioid use after surgery
  • Total number of days off work was more prolonged for surgical cases compared to nonoperative controls, 1140 and 316 days, respectively

From the study’s conclusion:  ”Lumbar fusion for the diagnoses of disc degeneration, disc herniation, and/or radiculopathy in a WC setting is associated with significant increase in disability, opiate use, prolonged work loss, and poor RTW(Return to Work) status.”

Source: Long-term Outcomes of Lumbar Fusion Among Workers’ Compensation Subjects: An Historical Cohort Study, Spine: 15 February 2011-Vol 36-Issue 4-p 313-3

(MAC Journal-May/June 2012)

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Top Five Weight Loss Diet Myths

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Nam Vu| Leave a comment

It is estimated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention that 35.7 percent of American are classified as OBESE.  As the American obesity epidemic appears to be growing exponentially, it is becoming evident that not everything written about weight loss is true.  Many misleading claims and false information has led many men and women to become discouraged and give up on their weight loss goals altogether.

Upon the realization that there are many conflicting ideas about losing weight, Weight Loss Guide has set out to ascertain the truth about weight loss from the the abidance of myths and exaggerations.  Below are the top 5 myths to that you should know when it comes to “dieting:”

1. Fast weight loss is possible with starvation diets: Very-low calorie diets are unhealthy and may damage the metabolism. When a person is consuming too few calories, the body enters into hibernation mode and will attempt to store body fat rather than burn it.

2. The only way to lose weight is with a weight Loss diet and exercise: While eating a healthy diet and getting exercise is always recommended, diet pills and other weight loss products can promote weight loss on their own. Taking a fat burner, carb-blocker, or metabolism booster can help users lose weight without diet or exercise. (this option should be a last resort and always check with a medical professional before taking any supplements)

3. Everyone should eat about 2,000 calories per day: The number of calories one should eat per day is dependent on a number of factors. Age, gender, weight, height, and activity level all contribute to one’s required daily calorie intake.

4. Salad is always a healthy meal option: Salad is often combined with cheese, croutons, dried fruit, and high calorie dressing. When these types of items are added in, one salad can add up to 1,000 calories or more. This means choosing a salad may result in a higher calorie intake than a cheeseburger.

5. Vegetarian diets always promote weight loss:Eating a vegetarian diet does not always encourage weight loss. Vegetarian diets are often high in sugar, calories, and carbohydrates.

Source: weightlossguide.com

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Yoga: Avoid Beginner’s Mistakes

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Nam Vu| Leave a comment

Here at Vu Family Chiropractic, we highly recommend incorporating yoga practice to everyday life.  Research has shown that yoga can significantly reduce mental and physical stress, improve mood, and slow the aging process.  But some yogis believe many of the estimated 20 million U.S. students are missing the best part of the discipline – the inner happiness attainable through a healthy mind-body connection.  The most important step is getting started.  Here are some tips to maximize your yoga practice:

1. Cardiovascular training: Focused breathing should be the cornerstone of this mind-body training.  Aerobic means “with oxygen” and aerobic movement increases the flow of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, including the brain.  This training helps maintain the heart(a muscle.)

2. Core Strengthening: This includes the student’s abdomen and buttocks, and the lower-back region, which extends to the base of the skull.

3. Flexibility Training: Stretching simply feels good, and it reminds students to not only be more flexible in one’s body, but also one’s mind

4. Adequate Rest: Sleep is a necessary part of life, and sufficient rest is needed for energy equilibrium.

5. Proper Nutrition: Making the right choices in food allows yoga students to achieve an optimal, balanced state. This includes: organic, fresh nutritional foods consumed in moderation.

6. Interaction With Others: Study and observation show that we find greater happiness with access to friends and family.  Be friendly to other yogis and smile.

7. Goals: Yoga should be FUN and therapeutic.

Yoga is all about mind-body connection which helps with memory loss, back pain, neck pain, ADD, ADHD, anger management.  According to Mary Jo Ricketson of thegoodwithin.com,  “we all have within us a potential to experience optimal well-being in mind and body,” she says. “This potential, the good within, can be realized through the work of mind-body training. Our training is a moving meditation — a daily practice of exercises that awaken all that is good within.”

Remember to breathe, have fun, and practice often.

Yours in health,

Dr. Vu

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Derrick Rose attributes triumphant return to chiropractic

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Nam Vu| Leave a comment

Derrick Rose returned to resounding applause Monday afternoon. He only missed the last five games, due to back spasms. Chiropractic helped him return back to the court!!

Click here to watch Derrick Rose after the win on ESPN.  It’s not just the reigning NBA’s MVP who have benefited from chiropractic care, top athletes such as Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Maurice Jones-Drew, Lance Armstrong, Zach Johnson, Tiger Woods, and living legends such as Michael Jordan, Joe Montana and Jerry Rice have all received chiropractic care in their careers.  They got the message.

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Sports and Chiropractic Care

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Nam Vu| Leave a comment

Click on the link below to watch a video of Dr. Vu working with one of our athlete.

Sports Chiropractic care at Vu Family Chiropractic

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Spring Cleaning Begins with the Liver

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Nam Vu| Leave a comment

Smell that? That’s the smell of fresh dew on your lawn.  With winter trying to depart from the great state of Michigan(crossing my fingers not to see any more Winter Weather Warnings), it’s time to open the windows and get some fresh in.  It’s also time to get rid of all the clutters and do a little body cleansing.  One major organ that could use a little cleansing is the master cleanser itself, the liver.

The liver detoxifies hormones, drugs, and toxins so they can be eliminated from the body.  The liver also is responsible for creating bile and stowing it in the gallbladder.  The liver also creates fat/protein packets that can be transported around the body (lipoproteins), metabolizes protein, and stores fat-soluble vitamins, iron, and B12 in addition to carbohydrates(in the form of glycogen) in the case the body needs more than the diet provides.

At Vu Family Chiropractic, we can evaluate your liver to see if it’s working optimally.  Proper nerve function from an adjustment as well as supplements from Standard Process is a good start to boosting liver health.  Ask us how we can help you cleanse this important organ next time you are in the office.

Yours in health,

Dr. Nam

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