The Bulls won yesterday due to the energetic return of Derrick Rose. He has returned 100% due to in his words ”The whole week I was seeing a great chiropractor,” Rose told ESPN.”  Check out the Chicago Tribune article below! Dr. Steph

    By K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune reporter  10:57 p.m. CST, February 20, 2012    

 Derrick Rose had never before sat for five straight games in his NBA career, so the deafening roar that drowned out his name after public-address announcer Tommy Edwards began “From Chicago …” didn’t surprise.

 

But when close to the same roar accompanied Rose merely dribbling on the Bulls’ first possession Monday, the impact of his absence became more fully felt.

His teammates didn’t cheer, at least publicly. They merely benefited from Rose’s aggressive presence that featured 23 points, six assists, five rebounds and four turnovers in the Bulls’ 90-79 matinee victory over Atlanta.

 

“It was awesome to watch,” Carlos Boozer said.

 

Rose, who had been sidelined by back spasms, logged close to 35 minutes and, in an atypical move, didn’t appear in the postgame locker room to address reporters. He spoke to ESPN’s Doris Burke on the court afterward.

 

“The whole week I was seeing a great chiropractor,” Rose told Burke. “Teammates and fans were waiting for me to come back. I was feeling good and just trying to play the way I normally play — aggressive.

 

“My teammates followed me. Coach did a great job with the game plan. (My back) feels good. I have to put a little ice on there. I should be all right.”

Boozer added 16 points for the Bulls, who have won 13 straight regular-season games following a loss. Joakim Noah rebounded from his rough outing on Saturday to grab 16 rebounds, helping the Bulls to a 51-41 advantage on the boards and 18-4 edge in second-chance points.

 

But Rose dominated attention. He survived a hard tumble after drawing a foul on Josh Smith for a three-point play midway through the third quarter.

 

“You don’t want him to change who he is,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “You’re always concerned about health. But a guy could get hurt in practice or shootaround. That’s part of the game.

 

“He’s done a good job with his rehab. Our trainers have done a great job with him. As long as he’s pain-free and feels 100 percent, we felt comfortable. He met all the criteria that we were looking for him to meet before he played again. So we’re good.”

 

Actually, not everything was. For the second straight game, the Bulls started slow, forcing Thibodeau to burn a 20-second timeout early in which he blistered the starters. They responded with an 11-0 run as Rose scored nine first-quarter points.

 

But an eventual 21-point lead with just over 4 minutes to play in the third quarter got quickly whittled to nine by that quarter’s close. Former Bull Jannero Pargo heated up with three 3-pointers.

Then the Hawks, who played without Marvin Williams and with an ineffective Joe Johnson trying to battle through knee soreness, pulled within five in the fourth. Rose almost lost the ball before shoveling it to Luol Deng, whose 3-pointer with 2:59 left marked his first points since the first quarter and provided breathing room.

 

“Derrick’s explosion was there,” Thibodeau said. “His drives were there. Conditioning-wise, he’s not where he normally is. But that’s to be expected. Overall, I’m very pleased. He said he felt real good out there.”

 

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Dr. Stephanie Maj has a thriving family practice in the heart of Chicago. Her clinic is located at 1442 W. Belmont Ave., 1E, Chicago, IL 60657. 773.528.8485. www.communitychiropractic.net

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When it comes to neck pain the best medicine is no medicine at all according to a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, tracked 272 patients with recent-onset neck pain who were treated using three different methods:

• Medication
• Exercise
• A Chiropractor

After 12 weeks the patients who used a chiropractor or exercised were more than twice as likely to be pain free compared to those who relied on medicine.

The patients treated by a chiropractor experienced the highest rate of success with 32 percent saying they were pain free, compared to 30 percent of those who exercised. Only 13 percent of patients treated with medication said they no longer experienced pain.

“Doesn’t surprise me a bit,” Dr. Lee Green, professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan told ABC News. “Neck pain is a mechanical problem, and it makes sense that mechanical treatment works better than a chemical one.”

Dr. John Messmer who specializes in family medicine at Penn State College of Medicine agrees.

“I always prescribe exercises and/or physical therapy for neck pain,” he wrote. “I also tell patients that the exercises are the treatment and the drugs are for the symptoms.”

Dr. Stephanie Maj has a thriving family practice in the heart of Chicago. Her clinic is located at 1442 W. Belmont Ave., 1E, Chicago, IL 60657. 773.528.8485. www.communitychiropractic.net

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Enjoy an article about me written in 2010 that is equally as relevant today!

PRLog (Press Release) – Jan 12, 2010 -

Chicago – New Year’s resolutions, love them or hate them, bring new energy to people’s yearning to improve their health. In her book, You Can Be Well, Dr. Stephanie Maj focuses on helping people with these changes to aid them in recapturing the health and vitality that has slowly been eroding away people’s lives.

“I have always used New Years to help my patients set health goals.” Dr. Maj said. “It amazes me that people are so unhealthy that on all the Top 10 Resolution lists, health related items account for over half the resolutions.”

This general lack of health in our society is one of the reasons she wrote the book; to help people find the critical steps necessary for success. There are thousands of books on wellness yet Dr. Maj has found all these books are missing the most vital step of all.

“It is the elimination of nerve interference that NO ONE is talking about and I feel can no longer be ignored. As a chiropractor, I focus on removing the interference in the nervous system, the master controller of all the organ systems of body. Without removing this nerve interference, no other steps will get the patient to their desired health goal.”

“I find that people misunderstand what health and wellness really are to them. Most people want to be healthier yet have no idea what health really is and exactly how to go about achieving it.” In her book, Dr. Maj talks about the 5 critical steps to wellness, four of which are action steps that every self-help health book talks about: Eating right, stress relief, exercise and eliminating toxins.

Dr. Maj has noticed that others are out there speaking and writing about wellness and what it means and yet fail to address the interference in the nerve system that Chiropractic corrects. The reason this is so important is that the body is a self-healing organism and the nerve system is what controls that healing. When there is interference in the nerves, there is interference in the body’s ability to heal properly or fight disease (like cancers and viruses). Chiropractic removes interference in the nerves so the body’s own natural defense systems can be restored.

Research shows that when you have interference in the nerve’s function at the spinal level, this leads to a cascade of harmful results. Some of those results include: Increased blood pressure, increased cholesterol, increased triglycerides, insulin resistance (pre-diabetes), increased stress hormones, decreased immunity (cancer & infections), decreased sense of well being and a decrease in complex learning abilities.

“I understand that achieving health and wellness is not as simple as only getting a Chiropractic adjustment. I address other steps in my book, “You Can Be Well.” Eating right, exercising, combating stress and eliminating toxins are needed as well.”

Dr. Maj states, “The mission at Community Chiropractic is to check as many people as possible for hidden health problems and to save them from a life of drugs and surgery. We do this in Chicago everyday yet if you aren’t in my practice; there is no way of knowing these vital steps.”

The biggest promise I have for people is that You Can Be Well, too!

Dr. Stephanie Maj is the clinic director for Community Chiropractic, a full service wellness center offering family health care, acupuncture, massage, orthotics and nutritional counseling. Dr. Maj has been practicing in the Lakeview area for 14 years. Her book You Can Be Well, can be purchased on Amazon.com or on her website, youcanbewell.net.

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Two case studies reported in the September 2011 issue of the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine find chiropractic care to be effective in both alleviating migraine headaches and cervicogenic dizziness – dizziness originating from a mechanical disturbance of the neck.

Since these are individual case studies, they each deal with just one individual’s results with chiropractic care. However, the successful management of migraine headaches and dizziness in certain individuals has been known and reported within the chiropractic profession for more than 100 years.

According to these specific case studies, a 52 year old female with a 40 year history of migraine headaches occurring approximately once a month was migraine-free at her 6 month follow up evaluation after receiving chiropractic care. Additionally, a 29 year old man with a 10 year history of progressive dizziness with symptoms including a sensation of excessive motion, imbalance, and spinning associated with neck pain and stiffness reported a reduction of pain and dizziness and an improved quality of life after chiropractic treatment.

While not every migraine sufferer or individual with dizziness obtains these results, there are a great deal of those who do obtain full or partial relief. If you are suffering, don’t continue to wait. Call your local chiropractor today for a professional no obligation consultation!

Author: ChiroPlanet.com Source: Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. Vol 10, Issue 3, September 2011. Copyright: ProfessionalPlanets.com LLC 2011 Dr. Stephanie Maj has a thriving family practice in the heart of Chicago. Her clinic is located at 1442 W. Belmont Ave., 1E, Chicago, IL 60657. 773.528.8485. www.communitychiropractic.net [Translate]

Forward Head Posture, Cervicogenic Headache, and Anatomical Connection Found Between the Rectus Capitis Posterior Major and the Dura Mater by Dr. Stephanie Maj

 

A new study, just published in Spine Journal, reports on an investigation of the muscles of the suboccipital triangle and their relationship to cervicogenic headaches (headaches that are caused by subluxations in the neck.)

 

This got me thinking of a problem I see in over 75% of patients that come to my office:  Forward head posture.  This position (see picture) puts the neck in an extended position which puts pressure on the nerves that go to the muscles in the back of neck, right under the skull (the rectus capitus muscle group).

This study reports that those muscles connect to the dura mater. The dura mater is the outermost, toughest, and most fibrous of the three membranes, or meninges, covering the brain and spinal cord.

During the anatomic study of thirteen cadaver specimens, it was discovered that eleven of the 13 specimens had a connection between the rectus capitis posterior major muscle (at C2) and the spinal dura mater. [1]  A previous report by Hack (Spine 1995) [2] discussed a connection found between the rectus capitis posterior minor and the dura mater and its relationship to cervicogenic headache.

What is most interesting in this new study is that manual traction of the rectus capitis posterior major resulted in gross movement of the dural sheath from the spinal root level at C2, all the way down to the T1 nerve root.  Hack previously suggested that:

“It has been speculated that the function of the muscle dural bridge may be to prevent folding of the dura mater during hyperextension of the neck. Also, clinical evidence suggests that the muscle dural bridge may play an important role the pathogenesis of the cervicogenic headaches.”

The authors of the current study concluded that “various clinical manifestations may be linked to this anatomical relationship.”  This is where Chiropractic comes in and the stress put on these upper neck structures from forward head posture becomes an important thing to evaluate.

According to Kapandji (Physiology of the Joints, Volume III), for every inch your head moves forwards, it gains 10 pounds in weight, as far as the muscles in your upper back and neck are concerned. That’s because because they have to work that much harder to keep the head (chin) from crashing onto your chest. This abnormal positioning also forces the suboccipital muscles (the ones that raise the chin) to remain in constant contraction, putting pressure on the 3 suboccipital nerves.

This nerve compression may cause headaches at the base of the skull. Pressure on the suboccipital nerves can also mimic sinus (frontal) headaches. It is these nerves and muscles that have the relationship with the dura mater and therefore the brain and headaches.

If you are suffering from headaches of any kind, take a look at how far your head is in front of your shoulders (they should line up ear over top of shoulder.)  Chiropractic has great success correcting this postural abnormality and when corrected, can lead to less pressure on upper neck and significant reduction of headaches.

REFERENCES:

1. Anatomical Connection Between the Rectus Capitis Posterior Major and the Dura Mater

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 (Jan 27)

2. Anatomic Relation Between the Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor Muscle and the Dura Mater

Spine 1995 (Dec); 20 (23): 2484-2486

 

Dr. Stephanie Maj has a thriving family practice in the heart of Chicago. Her clinic is located at 1442 W. Belmont Ave., 1E, Chicago, IL 60657. 773.528.8485. www.communitychiropractic.net

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Ever year my patients ask me to re-post my letter on the Flu Shot so here it is:

Hello Everyone!  I hope you all have had a wonderful summer season.  It is flu season approaching and I have been compelled to write my flu shot letter to all of my patients.  The news recently said that new recommendations came out telling parents to have their children, from ages 6 to 23 months, to get a flu shot.  They are then recommending that they have one each year for the rest of their life.

The calls and questions are beginning to start – “Should my child get a flu shot?  Should I get one too?” I wanted to write a letter addressing these questions.

Your medical doctor will tell you that flu shots are 100% safe.  This is absolutely false! And as to the effectiveness of flu shots, that is another question altogether.  The truth is that flu shots are notoriously ineffective and can actually be dangerous.  They cause untold cases of flu each year and last year, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) came out and admitted that the flu shot being given had NONE of the strains that were actually erupting all over the country.

Perhaps the most insidious of all problems with flu shots is their mercury content (it’s also called thimerosal).  An average flu shot contains 25 microns of mercury.  And one micron is considered toxic.  Mercury is a brain toxin already indicated as a causative agent in autism, dementia and Alzheimer’s.  Statistics show that if you have had 5 consecutive flu shots, that you have ten times the odds of getting Alzheimer’s as compared to a person who has had 2 flu shots or less.  This information is according to Hugh Fudenberg, MD, one of the world’s leading immunogeneticist – with 850 papers published in peer-reviewed journals.  Did your doctor mention the chances that you or your child might get the flu, be crippled, or even lose your mind from consecutive flu shots?  I doubt it.

Mercury-free flu shots are loaded with another harmful metal -ALUMINUM- which is shown to be an equally dangerous neurotoxin!

Our state has an act which strictly limits the amount of mercury in children’s vaccines.  The act states that shots made with mercury are a danger to your children.  Some manufacturers are starting to supply flu shots without thimerosal but these are not readily available and not given unless requested.   Remember also that the other ingredients aren’t much better:  aluminum, formaldehyde, ethylene glycol (antifreeze), phenol, benzethonium, methylparaben.

There is a better way!  So, my answer is, “AVOID THE FLU SHOTS LIKE THE PLAGUE!”  These flues affect only the immune compromised.  There are many ways to boost your immune system without subjecting yourself to these harmful shots, like:

1. Eat whole fruits and vegetables.  Limit sugar and processed foods.
2. Get exercise and fresh air.
3. Drink pure water – 2 quarts a day.
4. Quit smoking.
5. Get enough rest.
6. Take a potent multivitamin (we also have immune support supplements in the office).
7. Take hot salt baths.

And, finally, GET ADJUSTED! As you know, my ‘immune buster’ adjustment focuses on the areas in charge of your immune system.  Yes, your spinal nerves control immune function!  The healthier your nervous system, the healthier your immune system will be.  So, a stressed nervous system equals a stressed immune system.  Make Chiropractic part of your health and wellness choices this “flu season” for your family.

Have you had your kid’s spines checked? Building healthy immune system habits when kids are young will lead to healthier bodies throughout their lives.  My techniques are gentle, safe, and effective in keeping healthy kids healthy without drugs or harmful antibiotics.

I know this letter is direct.  The truth is that I care about the health of your kids and you.  My goal is to make you informed about the choices you are making, to give you options that are more holistic, and to work with your body to make you stronger.  So please call the office and make an appointment for you and your family to get your spines checked.  You will be happy you did.

Yours in Health!

Dr. Steph

Dr. Stephanie Maj has a thriving family practice in the heart of Chicago since 1996. Her clinic is located at 1442 W. Belmont Ave., 1E, Chicago, IL 60657. 773.528.8485. www.communitychiropractic.net

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I was asked to contribute to this blog on my experience with Chiropractic and boosting energy. I hope you enjoy!  Dr. Steph

 

Looking for ways to boost your energy during the hot summer months? Read our latest, helpful blog article.

©by Deborah Tukua www.chiropractorswritehand.com

Feeling tired all too often? You’re not alone. Blazing hot temperatures and humid weather can really zap your energy, especially if you work in a concrete jungle. Looking for ways to increase your stamina, energy, and brain power through the summer?

Exercise, the Energy Giver

• Start the day with the marvelous energy inducer – exercise. The old adage, you have to give to get is true when it relates to exercise and energy.
• Stay hydrated. Drink water before and after exercising to promote endurance and prevent fatigue.
• Get on your feet every hour, stretch and do at least 2 exercises before sitting down again.
• Walk, dance or exercise to music to motivate you, boosting your mood, and energy level. Make exercise something you look forward to.
• Do what you love, whether it’s swimming, ballet, basketball, Taekwondo, jogging, walking your dog, dancing, strolling in a park or taking a lap around the mall while window shopping.

Avoid These Summer Energy Downers

• Getting less than 8 hours of sleep compromises your immune system, increases your chances of illness, reduces your ability to concentrate, and depletes your energy. A good night’s sleep is necessary to keep your body charged and your brain functioning well.
• Beverages containing caffeine and alcohol can dehydrate the body and increase chances of fatigue. Avoid drinking stimulating beverages close to bedtime. Studies show that when more than one alcoholic beverage is consumed, it stimulates the body, increases your heart rate and causes stress on your circulatory system.
• Getting in and out of a hot car is sure to zap your energy level. Save running errands for when the sun starts to set, when possible.
• If you exercise during your lunch break, avoid exercising outdoors in bright, open areas consisting largely of asphalt or concrete. Instead, exercise indoors or in a shaded area.
• Avoid these energy zappers: hot showers and baths or sitting in a hot tub or sauna.
• Don’t skip meals when you’re tired. Refrain from eating energy robbing foods: sugar, refined white flour products, highly processed foods and unhealthy fats. Consuming these foods also promotes unhealthy weight-gain, another huge energy robber.
• Avoid sitting for long periods of time. Get up and move every hour.

Natural Energy Uppers

• Eat plenty of fresh fruits rich in water such as watermelon and vegetable or salad based meals instead of heavy red meat entrees.
• Consume these energy producing foods: green beans, grapes, spinach and other green leafy vegetables, almonds and pumpkin seeds, black beans, white fish, brown rice and unrefined, whole grains. Drink a healthy green drink daily. Wheatgrass is especially noted for increasing energy.
• These nutritional supplements fight fatigue and increase energy levels: MSM, bee pollen, magnesium and calcium, Brewer’s yeast, vitamin C, vitamin B Complex and ginseng. Consult your health practitioner before starting a supplement regimen, especially if you are taking medications, have allergies, or an existing health condition.
• Take a cold, refreshing shower or bath to rejuvenate energy levels before and after working outdoors, when you’re feeling hot or tired. Soaking your feet in cold water helps too. (If you have a heart condition or circulatory problem, check with your doctor before trying cold water treatments.)
• Practice good posture when sitting, standing or walking. Correct, strong posture allows you to breathe deeply and enhances your overall wellbeing. Ask your chiropractor to show you posture strengthening exercises.
• Fresh air and sunshine is invigorating, healthy and a mood enhancer. Spend 15 to 30 minutes outside daily for a healthy dose of vitamin D, as weather permits.

Note: Fatigue is a symptom of most illnesses. If fatigue is chronic, consult a health professional to determine if you need to adjust your diet, have a vitamin or mineral deficiency or other health condition.

Energy and Chiropractic Care

By Dr. Stephanie Maj

Meet this week’s Chiropractic Care contributor: Dr. Stephanie Maj is the author of the book, You Can Be Well! How to Improve Your Quality of Life Through a Healthier Lifestyle. She has been coaching families to a healthier lifestyle for over 16 years. Dr. Maj has a thriving family practice in the heart of Chicago. Check out her blog at www.drmaj.com.

You cannot have Wellness without Chiropractic!

• The flow of energy in the body travels through the body’s wiring system – the nervous system. That flow travels in a looping cycle over your brain and spinal cord, through the nerves and back to the spinal cord and then back to your brain. Chiropractic adjustments remove interference to this nerve flow and allow your energy to be balanced, your immune system to be strong and your resistance to stress, high.
• Chiropractors look for interferences in that natural flow of energy. Because your nerves come through every level of the spine, an unbalanced spine can create blockages that may cause physical and emotional fatigue.
• Understand that chiropractic adjustments “Turn your body’s power ON!” By removing the interference in the flow of the nerves, the body is able to achieve optimal function in all areas, thus unlocking the flow of energy and supercharging the body.

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