“The Wellness Connection” October 2015 in Kingwood TX

Take a look at our October 2015 newsletter from our Kingwood TX chiropractic clinic.

Dr. Clark’s Corner in Kingwood TX

I want to personally take time to thank you for letting me be your chiropractor. I do not take this privilege lightly, and it is one of the most important things in my life. However, I would like to tell you that even beyond this, the most important thing in my life is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ and pleasing Him in everything that I do.
This is the reason that we strive for excellence in our office. Unfortunately, sometimes we fall short. It is not our desire, however. If we ever fall short of your expectations of us, please let us know and give us the opportunity to exceed your expectations.

If you would like to know more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please ask me or read the Gospel of John in your Bible–especially chapter 3 in which the Lord Jesus has a conversation with a man named Nicodemus. God bless you and once again, Thank you!

Dr. Lewis M. Clark

Relief from Unrelenting Back Pain Caused by Failed Back Surgery, Herniated Discs, or Bulging Discs

By Dr. Lewis M. Clark DC, CCWP, BCIM, CGP

Do you have any of the following?

• Sharp Leg Pain
• Lower Back Pain
• Leg Numbness
• Shooting Hip Pain
• Muscle Spasms
• Sciatica
• Lumbago

The common cause of these conditions is often a herniated or bulging disc in your lower back.

When cushions in your back joints, called discs, become injured or wear out, they begin to degenerate and cause pain. Bulges and herniation’s in discs begin to form, pressing on the nerve roots.

There is hope for lasting relief with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (NSSD). This therapy is effective in treating neck, low back, and/or sciatica pain caused by bulging/herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, facet syndrome, and failed back surgery.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression slowly lengthens and decompresses the spine, creating negative pressures within the discs. This reversal of pressure creates an intradiscal vacuum that not only takes pressure off of pinched nerves, but helps to reposition bulging discs and pull extruded disc material back into place.

NSSD utilizes a sophisticated method of cycling the patient through a series of slow pulls, holds, and releases. The super-smooth transitions between each phase of therapy can make for an experience so relaxing that many patients often fall asleep.

Over a series of treatment sessions, patients experience powerful pain reduction and healing. Even post-surgical patients and those suffering from certain types of stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal causing nerve compression) have reported significant pain relief.

Depending upon the severity of the condition, treatment regimens usually consist of 20 to 25 sessions spread over four to six weeks. Each session lasts 15 to 30 minutes. Many patients report relief from their pain and other symptoms during the first few treatment sessions, and most experience dramatic pain relief after completion of their recommended NSSD program.
Dr. Clark says, “The most rewarding part of our decompression program is seeing people live active and pain-free lives without addictive drugs or dangerous surgeries.”
We encourage you to explore this option for yourself or a loved one. Don’t buy into the lie that you will have to live with pain. NSSD may be your answer to a pain-free life.

Overcoming Depression Naturally

by Dr. Lewis M. Clark DC, CCWP, BCIM, CGP

Depression can affect people in different ways. Common symptoms of depression are feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, low motivation, fatigue, sadness, low sex drive, and lack of appetite. Unfortunately, the common medical treatment for depression is to prescribe an anti-depressant.

This approach doesn’t address the underlying cause or causes of depression and does not evaluate what the neurologic imbalance is that’s causing depression. Psychiatrist Dr. Aman says that he has looked at over 18,000 brain scans and no common pattern is seen with depression patients. This finding shows that patients could have depression for many different reasons; consequently, simply prescribing a drug without knowing the reason or cause is not only unwise but often dangerous.

The problem with long term use of anti-depressant drugs is that they were never intended for anything but temporary use. These drugs lose their effect on the brain and actually prevent the brain from ever being able to produce neurotransmitters to allow you to be happy again. In my opinion, this is a poor tradeoff for a temporary improvement in mood but is instead a long term disaster in mental health.

Let’s discuss the different common causes of depression. Depression boils down to two possible problems: a decreased functioning of the frontal lobe of the brain, and a decreased availability of neurotransmitters in the frontal lobe of the brain. Either of these can result in a decreased functioning frontal lobe.

To go into all the different causes of decreased frontal lobe function would take more time than we have in this newsletter. However, common reasons for decreased frontal lobe function are traumatic brain injuries (car accidents, falls, head injuries) and poor metabolic function (thyroid function, digestion, blood sugar problems, inflammation, and even auto immune conditions).

Drugs do nothing to address any of these underlying problems. Once the underlying cause is determined about depression, however, depression can then be properly evaluated for treatment. The best way to evaluate this condition is using a structural, metabolic, and neurologic evaluation, including evaluating effects from traumatic brain injuries, evaluating blood work to see if any metabolic problems exist, and then doing a complete functional and neurologic exam to check the function of the entire brain, especially the frontal lobe. A brain map (QEEG) is used to evaluate the brain waves in the frontal lobe. Once the underlying cause is determined, an effective treatment can be administered, whether it be brain-based therapy, neuro-feedback, or nutritional and lifestyle modifications.

Thankfully, depression can be overcome with proper treatment. For example, studies have proven that simply implementing a regular walking program can improve depression as much as or more than taking anti-depressants.

If you are feeling as if your depression is helpless, know that you have hope. Many solutions exist that can help get your life back. In our office, finding these solutions is our goal and our mission.

If you would like to know more about our depression recovery program, contact our office for an evaluation or to schedule a seat at our upcoming seminar, where I’ll be discussing these techniques in more detail.

Join us for our Seminar
“Gluten Free–Fact or Fad”Thursday, October 8 @ 6:00 p.m.

Reserve Your Seat Today

Is Heartburn, Indigestion, or Reflux Affecting Your Life?

By guest author Dr. Thomas Kempinski DC

According to Jonathon V. Wright, MD, nearly 100% of patients with heartburn and gastrointestinal complaints do not create enough stomach acid (hydrochloric acid or HCL). Unfortunately, the conventional treatment protocol for these issues prescribes drugs that further block production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, ultimately causing more problems in the long run.

How does the stomach work?

The stomach is a fascinating organ that is lined with mucus-secreting cells and two important glands:

1. Gastric glands – secretes HCL, intrinsic factor, mucus, and pepsinogen
2. Pyloric glands – mainly secretes mucus that protects the stomach from HCL

The stomach is under continuous control by hormones and nervous system signals. There are three phases to this process:

1. Cephalic Phase – when you think about, smell, or taste food. Roughly 20% of the gastric secretions are created before food even enters the stomach.
2. Gastric Phase – every time you eat, the food in your stomach triggers parietal cells to release HCL
3. Intestinal Phase – when food enters your small intestines, the duodenum produces small amounts of gastric juices

Ultimately, it’s the acid that breaks down proteins into key nutrients and amino acids, which are necessary for neurotransmitter function. This correlation explains why people with low stomach acid can struggle with insufficient neurotransmitter-related diseases like anxiety, depression, and even Parkinson’s disease. One study discovered that up to 60% of Parkinson’s patients had proven decreased gastric acid secretion (Dr. Wright).

How do you increase HCL naturally?

The only way to increase HCL is by using supplements. Using supplements to increase HCL in the stomach is one of the best means of preventing serious illness. Many patients cannot tolerate HCL directly in the beginning because stomach acid is too low. Therefore, we use a product from Premier Research Labs (PRL) called GastroVen as a tea (2-3 capsules in hot water). We gradually progress to PRL’s HCL, HCL Activator, and Digest (pancreatic enzymes) after every meal.

Taking HCL and HCL Activator after every meal is something that should be done by everyone over the age of 25. Up until the age of 25, using pink salt will suffice. Throw that blue container of salt in your pantry in the trash! Pink salt is not chemically processed like white salt and contains calcium, magnesium, and other trace minerals. The body will take the chloride molecule from the pink salt (NaCL) and make HCL. No matter what age, using pink salt is one of the best things that you can do to improve your health and decrease your heartburn, indigestion, reflux, or any other gastrointestinal complaints.

Be sure to ask our staff about PRL’s pink salt and also which digestive supplements would be appropriate for you.

October Supplements of the Month - 10% Off

Omega Sufficiency™ is the purest, most natural fish oil available with natural EPA: DHA ratios and NO Artificial Chemical Concentration. Fish Oil has been scientifically shown to be a crucial requirement for health and important in the prevention of illnesses such as heart disease, arthritis, depression, Alzheimer’s, and more.

Melatonin-ND™ is a nutritional industry first. It features melatonin in a convenient liquid form that has been cultured with beneficial probiotic organisms for active bio-availability.

Our melatonin is not animal-derived so it is suitable for everyone, including vegetarians and vegans. This formula promotes the famous benefits of melatonin: premier brain, sleep, immune and antioxidant support.

HCL is a natural source, beet derived hydrochloric acid supplement for digestive and detoxification support.

HCL Activator contains a natural source mineral/antioxidant complex for use with HCL which liberates the deep cleansing power of HCL. The HCL Detox Program promotes the strengthening of the entire immune system.

Recipe of the Month

Submitted by: Stephanie Merchant, AKA The Nutrition Mom

Pumpkin Smoothie

• 1 cup pumpkin (preferably raw)
• 1 cup unsweetened Almond Milk
• 1 banana (preferably frozen. If using fresh, add a little ice to the mixture)
• 1/4 tsp all spice
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 Tbsp honey
• Blend all until smooth. Makes approximately 16 oz.