Back pain is one of the most common ailments in America – up to 80% of us suffer from back pain at some point in our lives. That’s a lot of pain, discomfort, missed work and missed fun. In fact, missed work due to back pain costs our economy billions of dollars every year, and we end up spending an extra $50 million trying to treat it. So what is the most effective, efficient treatment for back pain?

The answer is chiropractic care. Contrary to popular belief, 9 out of 10 patients suffering form back pain do not require any kind of surgical procedure, and medications simply mask the symptoms without treating the underlying cause of pain. Back pain is almost always a structural, physical problem. Chiropractic treats it that way. We realign your entire body and help you strengthen muscles that have weakened over time. Chiropractic treats the underlying, physical misalignment causing your pain, without the use of drugs or surgery.

Here’s the bottom line: your best bet in fighting seasonal illnesses like the cold or flu is prevention. The viruses that cause these sicknesses can knock you out for over a week, making you miss important events like work or school, and make you feel terrible. But the truth is – these viruses are always in the air and on the surfaces around us – but they only make us sick is when our immune system isn’t functioning at its peak. So what factors weaken our immune system, and how can we prevent them?

Poor nutrition, a lack of essential vitamins and minerals, a sedentary lifestyle, stress, and depression all contribute to a weakened immune system, and put us at risk for seasonal illnesses. Your chiropractor can put you on the path to correct all of these bad habits and emotional ailments. We can discuss an easy, affordable nutrition plan, develop exercises specific for your health and physical goals, and realign your entire body for easy, pain-free functioning.

The benefits of drinking green tea have been understood for centuries, since it was first discovered in China approximately 4700 years ago. According to legend, the Chinese Emperor Shen Nong, who was an herbalist as well, discovered tea when the leaves from twigs that were being used for a fire flew up and landed in a pot of boiling water. Shen Nong, an avid researcher, extensively tested the concoction and found tea to be the antidote to more than 70 different poisonous herbs. In addition, he believed it was useful for treating other ailments such as bladder problems, tumors, lethargy and abscesses.

As Japan and China top the list of countries with the highest life expectancy (82.6 and 82.2 years, respectively), and are also the highest in green tea consumption, there may be some truth to the beverage’s benefits. Both green and black tea come from the leaves of the same plant (Camellia sinensis), however, green tea is very minimally processed, while black tea is made through a fermenting of the leaves. Due to the minimal processing involved, green tea retains more of the healthy antioxidant polyphenols. The antioxidants particular to tea are called catechins, which are thought to be the main source of green tea’s health benefits.

According to an article in Harvard Women’s Health Watch, catechins are better at stopping oxidative damage to cells from free radicals than both vitamin C and vitamin E, and several studies have found a link between the consumption of green tea and a reduced rate of cancer and heart disease. It has been found to be particularly effective against cancer of the bladder, breast, ovary, pancreas, lung, colon, prostate, skin and esophagus. In addition, green tea has been found to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, raise HDL (good) cholesterol and improve the function of the arteries.

Drinking green tea has also been shown to have a protective effect against stroke, osteoporosis, periodontal disease, and reduces the incidence of bacterial and viral infections. It helps control blood sugar levels, reducing your chance of contracting diabetes, and reduces the inflammation associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It also helps to boost metabolism, helping to burn fat.

A study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2006 reported that drinking green tea was even more beneficial than drinking water, as the tea provides not only hydration on a level with that of water, but it also contains healthy polyphenols. Another 2006 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that drinking green tea reduces the risk of death from all causes, which is not the case with black tea. Drinking an average of three cups of green tea per day (as they do in Japan and China) confers the greatest amount of health benefits, providing you with 240-320 mg of polyphenols.

Using one teaspoon per 5 oz. cup, pour water that is hot, but less than boiling, over the leaves and let it steep for two to three minutes. Using water that is too hot will make the tea taste bitter and astringent. The thousands of studies on the positive effects of drinking green tea amount to a substantial body of literature in favor of giving it a try. 

Decadent desserts and patches will collide at the 9^th Annual Cruisin' Quilters Shop Hop happening from the 2^nd up to the 10^th of March 2013. This year, the theme of the Shop Hop will be “Just Desserts” where mouthwatering pastries and cakes will be featured in various quilt shops along Oceanside Boulevard.

Participants will get to sample the unique flavor of each shop that is in for the event for one whole week. Each shop will be open from 9:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 in the morning to 4:00 in the afternoon on Sunday.

Participants who will visit all thirteen shops will be eligible to win one of the three Grand Prizes. Each shop will also give away a special prize worth $300 for a lucky visitor. Moreover, shops will be giving away a Dessert Block Pattern and Recipe for free so that you can make a sampler quilt and after dinner treats.

For more information about the event, please visit this LINK.

Source

Have you ever found yourself tuning out information about nutritional supplements because it all seems confusing and contradictory? If yes, you are not alone. One headline says 'get more X' the next headline says 'be careful about too much X' and another says 'X supplementation not necessary at all'. Headlines are meant to sell newspaper and magazines. They report on what's new not necessarily what is backed by the most evidence. And, the stories are often selected based on findings that are contrarian or against conventional wisdom. After all, who is going to buy a magazine with the headline, "No change in guidelines – eating more plant-based foods is still good for you." 

Consumers really need a reliable source of evidence-based recommendations for nutritional supplements. Since these are not regulated by the FDA, there isn't a government run website that you can count on to be unbiased. There are several private companies, non-profits and even individuals that claim to offer comprehensive unbiased information on nutritional supplements, but who has the time to sift through all of these to figure out whose information is the best?

At the risk of offending a number of other great sources, this article is a plug for the Linus Pauling Micronutrient Information Center at Oregon State University at http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter. Chances are this is a source you've never heard of or looked at, but you should. 

When you visit the website, you'll have a chance to subscribe to the newsletter near the top of the page. Do it. This isn't another email newsletter but rather a printed, bound newsletter sent to your house containing all of the Institute's latest research.

The folks at OSU are doing excellent work to bring us all trustworthy, evidence based recommendations on the tens of thousands of nutrients in our foods. Take some time to look at their website, bookmark it and share it with others. If there are concepts or terms you don't understand, feel free to ask us during your next appointment or send us an email.

Learn how to make your yards and gardens more attractive as well as water-friendly at the Plant Fair at the Home Depot on Saturday, February 23, 2013 located at 5755 Mission Ave., Oceanside, 92057 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.

This free event is hosted by the San Diego County Garden Friendly and shall feature industry experts who will provide information on local efficient irrigation supplies as well as how to select and plant drought-resistant bushes, shrubs, and other greenery. How-to workshops will also be provided by The Home Depot’s certified nursery consultants. Moreover, local retail utility staff will provide information on conservation programs and services.

There will also be discounts on more than 20 types of shrubs and groundcovers, preselected by a panel of experts as water-efficient for the San Diego region.

For more information, feel free to visit http://orgwww.sdcwa.

Falling is never good at any age, but is a particularly hazardous event for the elderly, who are not able to reduce the impact of a fall as well as those of younger ages. Most falls occur in women, and the risk increases with age. Fully two thirds of those who experience a fall will do so again within the following six months. So what can older adults do to help prevent a fall in the first place? The greatest contributors to falls in older adults are osteoporosis, reduced physical activity, impaired vision and environmental hazards.

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become increasingly more brittle and full of holes, and is more prevalent in women after menopause. The drop in hormones such as estrogen that occurs at this time contributes to bone loss, as well as a deficiency in vitamin D and calcium. And as physical activity also commonly begins to drop off as we age, bones are likely to become more brittle from the lack of weight-bearing exercise.

To help reduce the progress of bone loss, be sure to get enough calcium and magnesium in your diet. Most people usually get enough calcium, but are not aware that they must also consume a sufficient amount of magnesium for the calcium to be absorbed into their bones. What often happens is that someone will go overboard taking calcium supplements, and as there is not sufficient magnesium for its absorption, the calcium will build up in the person’s soft tissues instead of their bones, contributing to arthritis. You should aim for a ratio of calcium to magnesium of at least 2:1 in order to maximize bone absorption.

Increasing physical activity will also help to slow bone loss. It doesn't have to be anything particularly strenuous, but even just walking or swimming on a daily basis can have a positive effect on bone density. If you are able to carry some light weights with you while walking, that will add to your bone health. And if you can take that walk in the sun you will also increase your levels of vitamin D.

Vision problems common in older age, such as cataracts and glaucoma can alter depth perception and reduce peripheral vision and sharpness of sight, which can lead to a fall. Vision should be checked regularly so these things can be treated early. And if vision is a problem, place brightly colored or glow-in-the-dark strips where there are steps in the house so they can be seen better. This also goes for things like grab bars and other physical aids that may be difficult to discern in low light.

Lastly, one third of all falls among the elderly occur due to an environmental cause in the home. The most common cause is tripping over an object on the floor. Someone should do a walkthrough of the home to identify and remove possible tripping hazards. Make sure all pathways are free of clutter and all rugs secured. Be sure there is adequate lighting in all areas, with switches that are easily reached or lamps that are touch activated.

Taking these steps can reduce your risk of a fall and help ensure many more years of living an active, healthy life. 

Experience the thrill of the Grom Bomb Surf Contest sponsored by Las Flores Church at Oceanside South Pier in Oceanside, California on February 16, 2013 from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. All youth, 18 years old and below, are invited to join. 

This contest aims to build the community and to encourage young people to give back. The beach cleanup together with the other activities included in the event will benefit homeless teens in the area. 

The City of Oceanside is the northernmost part of the San Diego County and is known to support different civic activities within its locality. 

For more information about the surfing event, please feel free to call 760-729-0231. You may also visit the event website by checking out this LINK. For other upcoming events in the local area, visit http://www.ci.oceanside.ca.

Sciatica (or sciatic neuritis) is a set of symptoms arising from the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerves or nerve roots. It is experienced as pain in the lower back and buttocks, and sometimes in the legs and feet, and may be accompanied by tingling sensations or numbness, muscle weakness and restricted leg movement. The pain may be felt to "travel" down the leg, and is commonly felt only on one side of the body.

If you suffer from sciatica, it is important to remember the term "set of symptoms." This means that it is a description of the effects, rather than a diagnosis or exact description of what causes them. Sciatica can be caused by several different conditions. For this reason it is important to see your chiropractor to get an accurate diagnosis to determine the actual cause of the symptoms in your case. Any treatment regime or set of prescribed exercises will depend on the exact nature of this diagnosis, and cannot be generalized.

Following an examination, your chiropractor may recommend a series of chiropractic manipulations to treat the underlying structural cause of the condition, but will also prescribe a series of exercises to relieve the pain by stretching tight muscles that may be contributing to it by maintaining pressure on the sciatic nerves. Exercise is often felt by the sciatica sufferer to be counter-intuitive, because the pain can be so severe that one is tempted to take painkillers and go to bed and rest until it subsides. But in reality one of the best forms of self-treatment is exercise, either in the form of walking or gentle stretching movements. The exercise will strengthen the muscle groups that support your lower spine and back, stimulate blood flow to the area to promote healing, and cause the production of endorphins, which are natural painkillers.

Exercises to relieve the symptoms of sciatica may vary, depending on the specific cause of the condition, but a few general observations can be made about them. Most sets of sciatica exercises involve strengthening the abdominal muscles, which better support the spine and keep it properly aligned when they are strong. Sciatica exercises also often include gentle stretching of the hamstring muscles. Once the initial sciatica pain has been treated via chiropractic manipulation or other means, walking is often a great form of self-treatment, because it contributes not only to healing by promoting blood flow but also strengthens the muscles that support the lower back.

In some cases, "press ups" (lying on your stomach and pressing your upper body up with your arms, similar to the chataranga or "up dog" pose in yoga) can be beneficial. "Curl ups" (lying on your back with your knees bent and gently curling the upper body up and holding the position for a few seconds) can also strengthen the abdominal muscles, and are easier than traditional "sit ups." Leg raises (lying on your back and gently lifting first one leg and then the other and holding it for a few seconds) can also be effective. If your sciatic pain is severe, you may find these and other exercises easier to perform in water.

With all sets of exercises used to treat the symptoms of sciatica and relive its pain, there are three things to remember. First, as mentioned above, don't start a generic set of these exercises without consulting a professional to determine the exact cause of your symptoms. Second, "easy does it." Don't strain or try to attain or hold any position that is uncomfortable for you. And third, be consistent; the benefits of exercise for sciatic pain depend on doing them regularly.

Show your care for nature at the beach clean-up headed by the San Diego Coastkeeper on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Oceanside Pier in Oceanside, California from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Volunteers will meet at the parking lot near the lifeguard tower of the Buccaneer Beach.

With the organizer’s discovery of the increased volume (by piece) of garbage being left behind by beach goers after a similar drive done in 2012, the said activity aims to minimize if not completely eliminate the presence of trash near the beach especially non-biodegradable pollutants like cigarettes, styrofoam fragments, and plastics.

The San Diego Coastkeepers hosted beach clean-ups before, with the ones done in 2007 and 2012 having a record of the most numbers of participants.

For further details including information about other upcoming events within the local area, interested parties may visit http://www.sdcoastkeeper.org or http://visitoceanside.org.

Outpatient alcohol treatment - NTS alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs include Primary Inpatient Care, Extended Care, Transitional Living and Outpatient Treatment.

If you are pregnant and suffering from low back pain, a neighbor or a friend has probably suggested you visit a chiropractor because a chiropractor was able to help them during their pregnancy. The discussion probably left you curious, is that good advice or just a single success story? Additionally, you may be wondering whether chiropractic is safe during pregnancy and how much low back pain improvement the average pregnant woman can expect to get. 

After looking at several scientific publications on these exact topics, the appropriate conclusion seems to be that “chiropractic evaluation and treatment during pregnancy may be considered a safe and effective means of treating common musculoskeletal symptoms that affect pregnant patients. The scarcity of published literature warrants further research.” (Borggren, 2007) 

So basically the answers are:

·         Yes, chiropractic is safe during pregnancy.

·         Yes, chiropractic helps common musculoskelatal probelms during pregnancy  (including back pain).

·         Your friends experience isn’t just one woman’s story. Many women are finding relief and the results are being sporadically published in medical journals too.

·         More research under more controlled conditions is needed for the purposes of educating primary care physicians and obstetricians about chiropractic care during pregnancy. 

Here are a few additional details about the prevalence of low back pain during pregnancy and the number of women being referred for treatment.

·         57 – 69% of women complain of low back pain during pregnancy

·         Only about 32% of women report these symptoms to their primary doctor

·         Only about 25% of primary doctors recommend seeking treatment for the pain. 

Clearly this is a big problem with 2 in 3 having pregnancy-related back pain. Also a big problem is that they are generally not talking to their obstetricians and primary care physicians about it and that these professionals are not referring them to effective treatment options. 

Chiropractic treatments can be quite effective for pregnancy-related back pain with just a few visits for the majority of women seeking help. In a small study of 17 women:

·    Sixteen of 17 (94%) saw clinically important improvements in low back pain with chiropractic care.

·         The average pain rating went down from 5.9 to 1.5 (on a scale of 0 to 10).

·         It took an average of 1.8 visits and 4.5 days to get clinically important pain relief. 

We hope this article gave you hope that many pregnant women do get significant, rapid relief from low back pain. If you are currently pregnant with low back pain, you probably have many questions not answered by this article. Perhaps you've never had chiropractic care before or you want to know how we adjust our techniques to work with pregnant patients. The best way to get answers to your questions is with an initial consultation. The only way for us to know whether you are a good candidate is for you to come see us, so call for an initial appointment today. 

Bibliography

Borggren, C. L. (2007, Spring). Pregnancy and chiropractic: a narrative review of the literature. J Chiropr Med, 6(2), 70-74.

Khorsan, R., Hawk, C., Lisi, A., & Kizhakkeveettil, A. (2009, Jun). Manipulative therapy for pregnancy and related conditions: a systematic review. Obstet Gynecol Surv, 64(6), 416-27.

Lisi, A. (2006, Jan-Feb). Chiropractic spinal manipulation for low back pain of pregnancy: a retrospective case series. J Midwifery Womens Health, 51(1), 7-10.

Stuber, K., & Smith, D. (2008, ul-Aug). Chiropractic treatment of pregnancy-related low back pain: a systematic review of the evidence. J Manipulative Physiol Ther., 31(6), 447-54.

The Tri-City Medical Center encourages all healthcare professionals to participate in the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Renewal Class on Wednesday, December 19, 2012.

These classes which aim to refresh and re-train both young and experienced health care professionals will be conducted at the Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, CA and will be day-long affair starting from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Skilled and veteran instructors will offer refresher courses on standard cardiac life support methods as well as inculcate new advanced techniques into your repertoire to put you ahead of your health care industry peers. With the rapidly changing and improving technology and advancements in the medical field, it is essential to stay updated and ahead with the old methods as well as with the latest breakthroughs, and Tri-City Medical Center aims exactly to provide that.

Tri-City Medical Center employees are encouraged to contact the Education Department for prices whereas non-employees will have to pay the registration fee of $155 which covers all expenses. You will be required to bring a pre-test, manual, and instruction sheet to be able to participate in the class.

The classes are open strictly to health care professionals only. Enrolment is open from Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the Education Department.

For more questions and inquiries, please contact 760-940-3100. Feel free to visit http://www.tricitymed.org for further details.

Many people believe that exercise is something only fat people should do, and a lot of people exercise with the sole goal of losing weight. So why should thin people exercise if they are already at the ideal dress size and optimal weight?

Even though exercise helps a great deal with weight loss, it also improves our health in many other ways such as reducing the risk of heart disease, lowering cholesterol levels and reducing high blood pressure. Even though these conditions are associated with obesity health risks, thin and sedentary people shouldn't assume they are risk-free. Lean exercisers have good levels of LDL cholesterol, the heart clogging variety, as you’d expect. However their thin but inactive counterparts were found to have the same levels of LDL seen in obese people! In fact, an overweight exerciser is actually more likely to be comparable to a thin exerciser rather than an inactive thin person in terms of cholesterol levels. Having high cholesterol and a risk of heart disease is more about how much exercise you get, rather than what your body mass index is. A study [1] found that lean exercisers were fitter and had a reduced chance of developing cardiovascular diseases compared to those who don’t exercise. Exercise is essential for a healthy heart – no matter your weight.

Exercise is also helps protect against viruses and disease. In the short term, regular cardiovascular activity can help to boost the immune system, and in turn makes you less susceptible to viruses such as the common cold, influenza and helps to protect against any kind of infection. In the long term, regular exercise makes the body overall healthier, by lowering the risk of serious diseases such as strokes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes and even cancer.

Being thin and being healthy and strong are not a given. Just as there are overweight people who are in good health (the type who exercise), there are many thin people who are far from healthy. Those who work out can run and walk faster and longer distances, and on the whole, have greater endurance.

Exercise is also a great energy boost. It can help to burn away fatigue and raise energy levels. People who work out more often find they sleep better and are more refreshed during the day. If you’re suffering from mental disorders such as depression or anxiety, exercising allows you to disconnect and alleviate stress and relax the mind. Endorphins are released after exercise, which are helpful in battling depression.

Finally, physical activity does keep the pounds off. Most thin people who are sedentary have a fast metabolism, and in some cases this is for life, but for many of us as we age, our metabolisms will slow down and we will inevitably gain weight. So it’s in everyone’s best interest to get in the habit of working out and keep those pounds off!

References Used:

[1] O'Donovan G, Owen A, Kearney EM, Jones DW, Nevill AM, Woolf-May K, Bird SR., Int J Obes (Lond). 2005 Sep;29(9):1063-9.

[2] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4778274.stm Accessed October 2011

[3] http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/5-reasons-why-thin-people-have-to-exercise-too.html Accessed October 2011

Come one, come all! Be ready to witness once again Oceanside Yacht Club's Parade of Lights at the Oceanside Harbor, Oceanside, California. This amazing showcase of grandiose illumination is set to happen on December 8, 2012, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Be astounded as fishing boats, kayaks, yachts, sail boats, and dinghy transform into floating vessels of holiday lights and be enchanted as they kick off the joyous yuletide season with their bizarre and enchanting decor.

 Attendees are advised to come to the Harbor Village at North Harbor as this area makes a great vantage point to witness the parade decadently. Onlookers may also get the chance to see this delightful event at the restaurants and beach nearby.

To know more about this wonderful parade, visit: http://visitoceanside.org, or call: 760-722-5751.

The B group of vitamins is probably the most commonly misunderstood of the vitamins, simply because the B vitamins are several distinct vitamins lumped together. Additionally, the fact that the vitamins in this group are known by both letter, number and name is confusing to many people. Here is a quick list of the B vitamins found in the Vitamin B complex group.

•             B1 is also thiamin

•             B2 is also riboflavin

•             B3 is also niacin

•             B5 is also pantothenic acid

•             B6 is also pyridoxine

•             B7 is also biotin

•             B9 is also folic acid

•             B12 is also cobalamin

You should note that there are four additional substances in the B complex group, though they are not known as vitamins. They are choline, lipoic acid, PABA and inositol. When you purchase B complex vitamins, these four will not be included. Furthermore, one or two of the recognized B vitamins may also be omitted. B5 and B7 are so widely available in food that most people get plenty of these vitamins even if they aren’t eating a healthy diet.

There are gaps in the numbers of the B vitamins because our understanding of them has evolved over time. Initially there was only a single B vitamin. Later it was recognized that what had been referred to as a single vitamin, actually had many components. These component parts where numbered 1,2,3,4, etc… Even later it was determine that some of these components (such as B4) did not meet the criteria of being a vitamin and they were dropped. That’s how we ended up with 8 B-vitamins with non-sequential numbers.

One thing that all the B vitamins share is that they are water soluble. Any excess vitamin B is not stored, but rather is excreted in the urine. That means that all the B vitamins need to be constantly replenished from our diets.

B vitamins are found in whole unprocessed foods including grains, meats and vegetables. In general, the more processed that food is, the lower the content of all the B vitamins. A daily multi-vitamin is a great way to ensure that you are getting all the B complex Vitamins your body needs on a daily basis.

One of the most commonly recognized uses of the B vitamins is an energy booster. Many popular energy drinks that claim a natural boost of energy without sugar or caffeine are high in B vitamin complex.

There are too many components in the Vitamin B complex to discuss the health benefits, deficiencies and Recommended Daily Allowance for the whole group in a single article. Look for future articles about each of these important nutrients.

If you have questions about your current nutrition and supplement plan, just ask. We are here to help!

Bibliography

B Vitamins MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Retrieved 8 10, 2011, from National Institutes of Health: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bvitamins.html

Micronutrient Information Center. (n.d.). Retrieved 8 11, 2011, from Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins.html

Christmas is on its way and the City of Oceanside Neighborhood Services Department is inviting everyone to attend the 2012 Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, November 29, 2012 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Regal Center Plaza located at 401 Mission Avenue.

Bring your holiday cheer with you and join the rest of the town in a night of Christmas merriment with the festive tree lighting ceremony. Everybody is invited to have their photo taken with the iconic Santa Claus afterwards.

Holiday arts and crafts will be open for children of all ages where they can show their creativity. Milk and cookies will also be provided as snacks. This will be a night of family fun for everybody who will be present at the event.

For more information, please contact the Oceanside Parks and Recreation at 760-435-5041. You can also visit their website at http://visitoceanside.org.

It’s a great success story that most of us probably haven’t heard very much about.  America’s roads have become far safer across the past 20 years.  By just about any measure, travelers are much less likely to be injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident than they were in the late 1980s and early 1990s. 

Fast Facts:  Motor Vehicle Accidents by the Numbers

Vehicle Miles Driven.  Americans traveled 2,172 billion miles in 1991 and 2,979 billion miles in 2009.  That’s a 37% increase.

Motor Vehicle Accidents.  During the same 1991-2009 period, the number of accidents on U.S. roads actually decreased by 10%, dropping from 6,117,000 to 5,505,000.  So even though we’re traveling more miles, we’re having fewer accidents.

Occupant Fatalities.  The number of motor vehicle occupants killed in accidents during 1991 was 31,934. That number declined by 23% to 24,474 in 2009.  The fatality rate per 1,000 accidents dropped from 5.2 to 4.4 persons.  That means that when we do have an accident, it’s become less likely that someone traveling in the vehicle will be killed.    

Occupant Injuries.  The statistics show an even more positive trend with respect to injuries.  The number of occupants injured in accidents fell 29% from 2,850,000 in 1991 to 2,011,000 in 2009.  The injury rate per 1,000 accidents declined from 465.9 persons to 365.3.  Simply put, our motor vehicle accidents seem to be injuring fewer drivers and passengers when they do occur.

It’s likely that this general trend toward safer roads is being driven by a combination of factors.  It could be the way we’re driving that’s producing fewer, less serious crashes.  It could be the way our roads are designed, maintained or policed.  It could also be the active and passive safety features now included in many of our vehicles.  But whatever the reasons, we can all agree that this is good (if under-reported) news for our nation’s travelers.  

But What if I’m One of the Two Million Unlucky Ones this Year?

As encouraging as this trend is, it obviously means little to you if you or someone you care about is actually injured in a car accident.  Even in cases where drivers and passengers walk away from a wreck believing they’re “uninjured”, accidents can have profound, long-lasting health consequences for those involved.  It’s not uncommon for some types of symptoms to appear only gradually days or weeks after the event itself, delaying effective diagnosis and treatment.  Symptoms may also come and go intermittently, making it more difficult to associate them with the accident.        

Fortunately, there are things you can do to safeguard your health and improve your chances of a more rapid, complete recovery following an auto accident.  Clinical studies have demonstrated that chiropractic care can shorten recovery time and decrease the amount of permanent physical damage sustained in a collision.

Take Care of First Things First. 

Always address any life-threatening injuries first.  If you experience (or have reason to suspect) significant bleeding or bruising, broken bones, internal pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or shock, you should seek immediate help from healthcare professionals who specialize in treating trauma injuries.

Recognize Signs that You May Be at Increased Risk of Developing Chronic Problems. 

Be sure to tell your doctor if any of the following warning signs apply:

• A prior history of back, neck or shoulder problems (including previous injury).
• Distinct numbness, tingling or pain immediately following an accident.
• Increased muscle tension or reduced range of motion after the crash.
• You were involved in a rear-end collision.
• Your head was turned at the moment of impact.
• You have symptoms that don’t resolve or that become generalized. 

Visit your Chiropractor as Soon as Possible After an Accident. 

Do this even if you don't think you've been hurt very badly.  Research has shown that early intervention in the form of chiropractic adjustment, massage and supervised exercise and stretching programs can make a big difference in longer-term function.

Stay Active. 

Activity encourages blood flow to the injured area and promotes healing.  It also helps prevent or reduce scar tissue formation and maintain range of motion.

Strengthen the Affected Area(s) as Directed by your Chiropractor. 

Exercise and stretching programs are designed to help prevent future injuries and are an important part of a balanced treatment plan.

An auto accident can affect your health (and your lifestyle) for years if you don’t receive the proper treatment.  So if you or someone you care about has been injured in a collision, please call our office and make an appointment today.  Chiropractic care can help put your recovery in the fast lane! 

A Compilation of Motor Vehicle Crash Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the General Estimates System.  Traffic Safety Facts 2009 Early Edition.  U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safey Administration.  Accessed August 2011.
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811402EE.pdf

Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Guide to Diseases and Conditions: Whiplash and Alternative Medicine.  Accessed August 2011.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/whiplash/DS01037/DSECTION=alternative-medicine

Berglund A, et. al., The influence of prognostic factors on neck pain intensity, disability, anxiety and depression over a 2-year period in subjects with acute whiplash injury.  Pain.  December 2006.

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Karnezis IA, et. al., Factors Affecting the Timing of Recovery from Whiplash Neck Injuries:  Study of a Cohort of 134 Patients Pursuing Litigation.  Archives of Orthopeadic and Trauma Surgery.  October 2007.

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Enjoy an afternoon filled with beautiful art and unique culture on November 6, 2012 as another Free Museum Tuesday makes its way to the Oceanside! This week, the California Surf Museum and the Oceanside Museum of Art will be opening its doors to the public for free from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm onwards.

The California Surf Museum offers free admission on Tuesdays to spread the Aloha spirit. To visit them, go to 312 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA 92054. On the other hand, The Oceanside Museum of Art is supporting the Oceanside Charitable Foundation by doing the same thing. Visit them at 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA 92054.

Have your car parked in downtown Oceanside and enjoy a breathtaking afternoon while immersing yourself in art and culture. Grab coffee and lunch, and walk with friends or family at the Oceanside Pier.

For more information about events at the Oceanside area, please visit http://visitoceanside.org.