But a recent study published in the October issue of the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine found that vaccinating young children against the flu appeared to have no impact on flu-related hospitalizations or doctor visits during two recent flu seasons.

Another influenza season is beginning, and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will strongly urge Americans to get a flu shot. In fact, the CDC mounts a well-orchestrated campaign each season to generate interest and demand for flu shots.

But a recent study published in the October issue of the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine found that vaccinating young children against the flu appeared to have no impact on flu-related hospitalizations or doctor visits during two recent flu seasons.

Unfortunately, now, for the first time, flu vaccination is also being pushed for virtually all children — not just those under 5.

This is a huge change. Previously, flu vaccine was recommended only for youngsters under 5, who can become dangerously ill from influenza. This year, the government is recommending that children from age 6 months to 18 years be vaccinated, expanding inoculations to 30 million more school-age children.

The government argues that while older children seldom get as sick as the younger ones, it’s a bigger population that catches flu at higher rates, so the change should cut missed school, and parents’ missed work when they catch the illness from their children.

Of course, this policy ignores the fact that a systematic review of 51 studies involving 260,000 children age 6 to 23 months found no evidence that the flu vaccine is any more effective than a placebo.

How Much Vitamin D is needed(recommendations taken from The Vitamin D Council) 

If you refuse to see a physician, or can’t find a knowledgeable one, purchase the 1000 IU/day vitamin D3 cholecalciferol pills that are available over-the-counter in North America or a 5,000 IU capsule. Take an average of 5,000 IU a day, year-round, if you have some sun exposure. If you have little, or no, sun exposure you will need to take at least 5,000 IU per day. How much more depends on your latitude of residence, skin pigmentation, and body weight. Generally speaking, the further you live away from the equator, the darker your skin, and/or the more you weigh, the more you will have to take to maintain healthy blood levels.

For example, Dr. Cannell lives at latitude 32 degrees, weighs 220 pounds, and has fair skin. In the late fall and winter he takes 5,000 IU per day. In the early fall and spring he takes 2,000 IU per day. In the summer he regularly sunbathes for a few minutes most days and thus takes no vitamin D on those days in the summer. The only way you can know how much you vitamin D you need to take is by repeatedly getting your blood tested—known as a 25(OH)D test—and seeing what you need to do to keep your level around 50 ng/mL.

   Did you know that one of the most stressful aspects of living in modern life is dealing with the problems that arise after an auto accident? Were you also aware that some auto accident injuries are hidden and are seldom detected for months or even years? As a result, two things can occur when an injury is not taken care of properly, or the accident victims settle their case with the insurance companies before getting evaluated from a Doctor trained in soft tissue injuries.

      … This Could Be A Big Mistake.

   Here’s where the problem begins… Most people who suffer from an auto accident have one thing on their mind: their automobile!

Common questions include:

• “Who is going to fix my car?”
• “What will I drive in the mean time?”
• “Will my insurance rates go up?”
• “Who is going to pay for it?”
• And the last thing on their mind is: “Am I Really O.K.?”

As a matter of fact…

• Most Doctors Are Not Trained In The Detection Of These Hidden Injuries…
• If you have been in an auto accident, you need a doctor who is trained in the biomechanics of the human body; someone who treats these injuries every day. In addition,x-rays can be taken to find out if there has been any structural damage. In our office, we evaluate auto accident victims and make any appropriate referrals to other health care providers if needed.
• Our primary responsibility is giving you the care if you need It, and submitting the required medical reports to the insurance company so your rights are protected.

  If we can’t help you, we will refer you to a doctor or facility that can.

If you have been in an auto accident recently, there are some important decisions you have to make, and if I were you, I’d make these decisions very carefully.

• Q: Should I See An Attorney Before I See My Chiropractor?
  A: It is important to get checked out by the doctor first. That way the findings from your exam will allow you the information you need in order to decide if an attorney is necessary. If necessary, we can refer you to a reputable and qualified attorney.
• Q: What If My Car Sustained Only Minor Damage?
  A: Documented studies done by Charles Carroll, M.D., Paul McAtee, M.D. and Lee Riley, M.D. revealed that: “The amount of damage to the automobile bears little relation to the force applied to the cervical spine (neck) of the occupants.”

  
  

  In other words, the damage to the passengers is not necessarily directly related to the damage to the vehicle.

   

  
  

  
  

• Q: If I Need Treatment For This Injury, Do I Have To Pay For It Myself?
  A: No, only in very rare circumstances does the patient pay for his care as he goes. Our office provides care “on credit” when patients are represented by an attorney. Some car insurance policies have what is called “Med Pay.” This means that medical bills will be paid at 100% up to a certain limit. My office can assist you in obtaining this information.

  Using your medical coverage should not raise your premiums.

• Q: The Insurance Company Has Been Calling Me And Wants To Settle,What Should I Do?
  A: Do not sign or settle until you have had us evaluate your injury for you. If you settle before your injury is fully resolved, you will be completely on your own and will have to pay out of pocket for your care.

  
  

• Q: I’ve Been To The Hospital And My Medical Doctor, Do I Really Need to See a Chiropractor?
  A: You need a doctor who focuses in the treatment and diagnosis of auto accident injuries. Usually hospitals will check vital signs, make sure there are no life-threatening conditions and release the patient with pain relief medication. They normally do not treat the underlying improper musculoskeletal biomechanics that can and often do lead to future pain. If you are still having problems, you should get a second opinion.

  If your M.D. has given you pills, you must understand that pills do not correct structural or soft tissue damage. There are special therapies designed for that, and we offer these modalities at our office.

• Q: Does Your Care Hurt?
  A: Absolutely not. The care is very gentle and quite soothing. Most patients can hardly wait to get their care.
• Q: Is The Care Safe?
  A: Yes, extremely. Particularly when compared to the side effects from medication. I urge you to go to the patient testimonial tab to get a feel for what you can expect.

Complete Health Center, Dr Paul J Puetz has assisted clients with auto injuries for over 10 years.  Let our office help you when you have a pain in your neck!  Call today 507.532.4355 for an appointment.

Info Provided by Chiro Web

   Either way, did you know that auto accidents can cause post-traumatic osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis can ruin your posture (giving you a slumped or hump back appearance). Osteoarthritis can cause the discs in your spine to degenerate and create scar tissue formation leading to chronic stiffness and the inability to move properly.

   It is not the responsibility of the insurance company to pay for anything more than that. They are not responsibile for pre-existing injuries; only the injuries sustained from the accident. Even if you are just sore, you should get checked out immediately because you may experience pain, numbness, headaches, muscle stiffness, fatigue, and other problems including arthritis many months down the road. Remember, nothing is more important than your health, especially when you start to lose it.

This article documents:

• a 629% increase for epidural steroid injections
• a 423% increase in expenditures for opioids for back pain
• a 307% increase in the number of lumbar magnetic resonance images
• a 231% increase in facet joint injections
• a 220% increase in spinal fusion surgery rates
• Manufacturers aggressively promote new drugs and devices for the treatment of back pain, yet there is evidence of misleading advertising, kickbacks to physicians, and major investments by surgeons in the products they are promoting.
• Prescription opioid use is steadily increasing, especially for musculoskeletal conditions. Emergency department reports of opioid overdose parallel the numbers of prescriptions. Deaths related to prescription opioids are greater than the combined total involving cocaine and heroin. Ironically, “Opioid use may paradoxically increase sensitivity to pain.”
• New and improved spinal fusion techniques and devices, such as implants, increase the risk of nerve injury, blood loss, overall complications, operative time, and repeat surgery, but do not result in improved disability or reoperation rates.
• Increases in the rates of imaging, opioid prescriptions, injections, and fusion surgery might be justified if there were substantial improvements in patient outcomes; unfortunately, they are not. In fact, statistics indicate that disability from musculoskeletal disorders is rising, not falling. “Prescribing yet more imaging, opioids, injections, and operations is not likely to improve outcomes for patients with chronic back pain.”

At the same time that medicine has ramped up costs (gobbling up the Medicare pie), a long line of studies have shown the clear superiority of chiropractic management for low back pain. Please review the most in-depth study, published in May of 2007 which compared medical and chiropractic management for LBP in a managed care group:

Clinical and cost utilization, based on 70,274 member-months, over a 7-year period, demonstrated: .

• decreases of 60.2% in-hospital admissions
• 59.0% less hospital days
• 62.0% less outpatient surgeries and procedures, and
• 83% less pharmaceutical costs

When patients were seen by a chiropractor, instead of seeing a conventional medical IPA doctor

It’s time to end Medical Mis-Management of Low Back Pain !

The study article starts off by noting that the average 9 month old should sleep approximately 14 hours per day.  In this case study a nine month old infant girl was presented for chiropractic care with a history of severely disrupted sleep and fussiness.  Additionally, the infant was refusing to breastfeed on one side and exhibited, what was called a generally unsettled behavior.  It was also noted that the child would not turn her head to the left.  These problems had been occurring since birth.

The examination confirmed a reduced range of neck motion to the left and significant muscle tension in the left and upper neck. Upon touching the neck the child exhibited signs of being in pain by crying and moving away.  It was determined that subluxations were present, and an appropriate course of adjustments was initiated.

The results in this case were very impressive.  The study noted that on the afternoon after the infants first adjustment the baby girl fell asleep for 5 hours.  This was followed by nighttime sleep of 2 periods of 6 hours each.  Over the next three weeks of care the daytime sleep got shorter, but the nighttime sleep remained between 6 and 8 hours. 

In addition to the dramatic sleep improvement, the child also improved her range of neck motion and was able to turn her head to the left in response to sound on the left side.  Additionally the infant began to feed freely and comfortably. 

In their conclusion, the authors of the case study noted that the dramatic improvements after just one adjustment indicated that the vertebral subluxation found in this case was at least in part responsible for the disrupted sleep pattern.