If you are a regular reader of this blog, it will come as no surprise that I have distrust for most drugs. It is my opinion, as with other chiropractors, that the healthiest body functions without drugs and surgery. A prime example of this are drugs that were considered wondrous just a few years ago to prevent osteoporosis and bone loss. The name brand that comes to mind is Fosamax.
An article published on Naturalnews.com reviews some of the serious side effects that were known and became known when using bisphosphonate drugs.
In 874 patient ratings since 2001, women as young as 32 recount being advised by doctors to take Merck's Fosamax, approved in 1995, and other bone drugs called bisphosphonates. Many were scared into using the drugs by readings from bone density machines now known to have been planted by drug companies and by encroaching "osteopenia," the risk of osteoporosis-a term made up by pharma.
A 2005 article in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism called "Severely Suppressed Bone Turnover: A Potential Complication Of Alendronate Therapy" warned of patients on Fosamax having "increased susceptibility to, and delayed healing of, nonspinal fractures."
And articles citing "atypical skeletal fragility," "subtrochanteric stress fractures" and "low-energy femoral shaft fractures" on bisphosphonates have appeared in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Journal of Orthopedic Trauma and the journal Injury.
In 2008 the FDA issued a warning that women on bisphosphonates developed "incapacitating bone, joint, and muscle (musculoskeletal) pain," from which some did not recover.
FDA waved Fosamax through so quickly-six months after its new drug application-Merck had to send a Dear Physician letter months later warning of esophageal side effects "of greater severity than we observed in our controlled clinical trials.
The article also reviews some of the admitted conflicts of interest in the studies that were done, with the majority of doctors and scientists being compensated by the pharmaceutical company of the drugs being studied.
It goes to show you that there is no way of tricking the body without paying a price. These drugs are perfect examples considering the drug that is meant to prevent bone loss to avoid fracture, increases the chance of fracture. As well as esophageal cancer.
Dr. Graeme Gibson, D.C.Seattle Chiropractor
http://www.queenannechiro.com
Queen Anne Chiropractic Center
1905 Queen Anne Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 282-8275
Filed under Pharmaceuticals by 
I finally found a chance to write a little about our second home birth experience, and even have a few photos to share. We didn't take as many pictures as we did last time, but since they speak 1000 words, everyone should be all set.
Since the birth truly went off without a hitch, the biggest surprise of the day was me coming home early, before the end of the Canucks playoff game. Arriving home at 8pm was far superior to possibly getting home at midnight, a little after the first contractions and just prior to our midwife arriving.
The event certainly wasn't old hat, but it did seem calmer, a little less emotional, and an even more joyful experience than the first. It must have to do with our expectations and understanding of the process, since when Gordon was born, there seemed to be a lot more running around.
Bed to birth tub to bed to walking around to birth chair to tub to bed again.
This time the only option made was bed, with the option of stool. Bed remained it and Kate got down to business.
In my opinion the calmness that Charlotte, our midwife, displayed makes all the difference in the world. She was calm and encouraging during the toughest of contractions, and kept Kate's mind right when it seemed like pushing again was an impossibility.
I believe we should have had a doula there, since I was pretty useless and tired, and Charlotte and her assistants did a bit more running around to do some things our previous doula, Diane Hamilton, did. Also I had the urge to leave the birthing area once in a while, which left Kate alone. She has not mentioned this, however, our doula never left the situation with the birth of Gordon.
Charlotte arrived at approximately 1:00am, and Maggie was born at 3:34am, so the process was not very long an drawn out. When she arrived Kate was only 3-4 cm's dilated, and quickly progressed with the help of everyone involved.
I was given the chance to "catch" the baby, but declined. I attempted to decline the cord cutting, but actually went through with it this time. Kate's mother, Diane, was the lucky one who helped Gordon out last time.
Having a person with the experience, know how, and understanding of the birth process is essential to make the delivery go as smoothly as possible. Just like last time, Charlotte coached Kate in ways I never could, and not to sound sexist, but no many ever could. We just don't REALLY understand the equipment.
When Maggie was born, we didn't know if it was a boy or girl for the first few minutes, as nobody bothered to look. I had the honors, and in the midst of not having my glasses on, it being a tad dark and shadowy in the room, and the pressure of being right I said, "I think it's a girl."
Kate cried immediately, but held herself together. A few minutes later I asked for a double check, as I wanted to make sure I was correct in my haziness.
Seattle Chiropractor
http://www.queenannechiro.com
Queen Anne Chiropractic Center
1905 Queen Anne Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 282-8275
Filed under Pregnancy by
A great post today on Chiro.org, visits a recent study that showed a trend in injury prevention to athletes under chiropractic care. The study compares the chiropractic group to a group under the same care and conditions sans chiropractic.
Hoskins and Pollard used two groups of male semi elite Australian Rules football athletes, matched them in several ways and randomly placed them in one of two arms of the study. All received the usual and customary management and medical care. Half also received chiropractic care which consisted of both soft tissue and high velocity spinal manipulation. There research evaluated several outcomes. When chiropractic care was added to conventional management, there was a significant reduction in lower limb strain injuries, time missed as a result of knee injuries, lower low back pain, and there was improvement in health status. “In addition, although not statistically significant, there was a trend towards prevention of hamstring and primary non-contact knee injuries and there were no reported adverse outcomes from the intervention.” The authors do acknowledge the several limitations to their work including the small sample size. The work is nonetheless an important piece and one of the few where the focus is prevention.
Chiropractors have spoken for years about the multiple successes of chiropractic adjustments for athletes. The benefits have ranged from injury recovery to increased athleticism, and proper structural bio-mechanics. What makes this study great is it is looking at the potential ability of injury prevention, and the "trend" was a success when compared to the non-chiropractic group.
If anyone has watched Aussie rules football, you will agree that there is not a more physical, more intense sport out there. Every sporting team, and athlete who wants to participate in their given sport should take notice of this study, and consider chiropractic care in their regimen if they have not already.
Dr. Graeme Gibson, D.C.Seattle Chiropractor
http://www.queenannechiro.com
Queen Anne Chiropractic Center
1905 Queen Anne Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 282-8275
Filed under Athletes, Peer Reviewed Journals by
Well, since Thursday I have only been able to get in one day of exercise. That was a few hours of playing street hocket on Saturday afternoon.
The best thing is, I am feeling great while playing, and the best is still to come. I am quite sore still the next day, but I feel it might have more to do with my hydration levels, and possibly lacking some supplementation and protein intake.
With our daughter now here, it is understandable that I have taken my eye off of one prize, and focused it on my family. In regards to exercise, it really shows how extremely important diet is to make the most out of exercise. Missing a few of the days I have has not set me back all that much. Since the program is a lifestyle change, my metabolism remains high, and continue to burn in spite of missing workouts due to important life events.
I even took a cheat day today, and enjoyed some Wink Cupcakes with Gordon in celebration of his new sister, or possibly him being a big brother? Something tells me it was more of the latter. I kid, I kid. Gordon has been amazing, and even offered up his most cherished item, his doggy.
Tomorrow, I will be back on track. Serving people through chiropractic, exercising, and spending time with my family. It doesn't get much better. More restful? Yes. Much better? No.
Dr. Graeme Gibson, D.C.Seattle Chiropractor
http://www.queenannechiro.com
Queen Anne Chiropractic Center
1905 Queen Anne Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 282-8275
Filed under Exercise by
Kate, Gordon, and I welcomed the newest addition to our family this weekend.
On 04/18/2010 at 3:34am, Maggie Elizabeth Elsie Gibson was born at our home, and the process was flawless, although tiresome. Kate felt her first contractions at approximately 10:30pm, we called our midwife at 12:30am. She arrived at 1:00am, and Maggie was here just a couple of hours later.
We were set on the name Maggie Elizabeth, and had considered the name Elsie, as it was a choice made by Gordon a few months ago. When we told him the name this morning when he first met her, he asked what about his name? It was sad to see him so disappointed, especially when he explain how "special" the name Elsie was to him. We had to explain to him that Maggie Elizabeth was special to us, and he came up with the idea that Maggie Elizabeth Gibson Elsie would be a great choice.
We rearranged it a little, but have a feeling he might be calling her Elsie for a while.
Maggie's statistics:
8lbs and 20 inches.
Kate's mother, Diane, was a huge help, as were our midwife's assistants. It was an extremely tiring night, but we couldn't be happier.
I want to give another personal thank you to our Seattle midwife, Charlotte Geddis, of the Special Delivery Company, who also delivered Gordon at our home in Ballard in 2004. For the second time, I have no doubt, that Charlotte's expertise, professionalism, and calm demeanor allowed for the birth process to happen without a hitch.
When I have caught up on some sleep I will post photos, and a little bit about my experience through out the day and evening.
Thank you for all the well wishes.
Dr. Graeme Gibson, D.C.Seattle Chiropractor
http://www.queenannechiro.com
Queen Anne Chiropractic Center
1905 Queen Anne Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 282-8275
Filed under Pregnancy, Success Stories by
