High Level Athletes
of All Ages
Embrace Chiropractic Care
Four time Olympic silver medalist doctor Terry Schroeder has just returned from the Water Polo World Championships in Rome, Italy. Their fourth place finish was the best finish by the USA Water Polo Team ever in the World championships and they have proven that their silver medal run in Beijing was no fluke. With Dr. Schroeder as their coach and the entire team under chiropractic care they are on target for a gold medal in 2012. High level athletes in nearly every sport have chosen to make chiropractic care a part of their training and a part of their lifestyle.
Dr. Jeff Spencer was the team chiropractor for the USA Cycling Team that won 7 Tour de France victories. Dr. Greg Kempf from Cleveland, Ohio has been providing chiropractic care for the Cleveland Browns since 1999 and the Cavaliers for the past five seasons. On game day it is not uncommon for Dr. Kempf to adjust 35 of the 55 members of the team prior to the game including their highest profile players.
The trend toward chiropractic care caught on widely at the Olympics. Athletes are more and more aware of the edge others were receiving and they flock to the care so as not to lose out on any natural advantage. Today a chiropractor is in charge of the medical unit.
The trickle down to youth sports programs is very exciting as more and more high level athletes of all ages are embracing chiropractic care. Ambush Elite Youth Soccer Team, a Georgia affiliate of West Ham United of the English Premier League whose under 17 soccer team
is currently ranked 8th in the nation, receives chiropractic care before every game. At one time they were ranked second. Their coach, David Eristavi, one of the premier your soccer coaches in the country, believes that all young athletes should have chiropractic care as a part of their training.
Youth sports programs around the country are making chiropractic care available to all of their athletes. It’s not just the guys, it’s the women as well. Kerry Walsh, the two time Olympic gold medalist in volleyball, told me in a recent interview for The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout book that the balance of these three elements of the ESS, Endurance, Strength and Structure, are an important factor in her training and her success. Her workouts on the court are cardiovascular and build her endurance. Off the court she does Pilates, plyometrics, and strength-training that gives her the added punch she needs for an overhead spike. She also takes care of her structure through chiropractic care and other holistic techniques to balance her spine and keep her muscles strong and flexible. Kerri considers the structural element of her fitness routine to be an important factor that separates her from the pack.
Jerry Rice, the spokesperson for the Foundation of Chiropractic Progress Campaign, “I did a lot of things to stay in the game but regular visits to my chiropractor were among the most important.”
If you are an athlete who wants the competitive edge, or who is injured and wants to recover quickly, chiropractic care can give you the edge you are seeking.
*From Dr. Eric Plasker, D.C.*
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Slippery Slope
The long arm of government intrusion in our lives, especially health care, keeps getting longer. In New York, health care workers are REQUIRED to get the flu shot or lose their jobs. They have no choice, rights stripped away! Health officials now have authority to quarantine and force vaccination in case of an outbreak. There are no specific definitions of an "outbreak."
But what really bothers me is the recent conviction of a couple in the Wausau area for reckless homicide of their 11 year old daughter. The girl had undiagnosed diabetes and the parents chose to treat her with prayer. The girl died and the parents were prosecuted for neglecting their child.
Reports state the illness is very treatable, thus the dilemma.
While I do not agree the parents made the right choice in type of treatment, but who am I to dictate what treatment these parents must choose. Or anyone else (especially the government) for that matter. It is unfortunate that the child died, but should the parents have been prosecuted?
I say no. And here is why:
The parents in this case did not ignore their child. They chose to actively treat her with prayer. The treatment failed. Had these parents gone the conventional path and treated her with medicine, and the child had a reaction and died, would they be prosecuted as well? Of course not. But why the double standard? If a medical treatment causes a death, the provider can be sued for malpractice, but no one would charge the parent with reckless behavior.
The underlying problem is medical treatment is being sanctioned as the only treatment acceptable for illness. If you don't get treated medically, and death occurs, you will be prosecuted for not using "State Approved" care. (Minnesota boy with leukemia being forced to undergo chemotherapy)
While the death of this child is tragic, the loss of personal freedom to choose the type of health care best for you is more tragic. These parents chose poorly, but not criminally. What is criminal is forced vaccination, giving mercury laced flu shots to pregnant mothers, and preventing truthful information on natural and alternative treatments to be given to the public.
A one year old recently died following a flu shot. The child had seizures after getting the 6 month vaccines, and died after getting the flu shot. Are these parents going to be convicted of reckless homicide for killing their child? They knew the child had a poor reaction to vaccines in the past, yet their child was injected again (against their wishes) and died. Since it was a medical procedure that failed, it is just a tragedy. Besides, the official report will claim it was just a coincidence anyway.
Don't give up your rights! Support freedom of choice in health care. Remember, the number one cause of preventable death in the U.S. is not cancer or heart disease, it is medicine (errors, prescription drug interactions, surgery...). Medicine kills over 250,000 people every year!
But what really bothers me is the recent conviction of a couple in the Wausau area for reckless homicide of their 11 year old daughter. The girl had undiagnosed diabetes and the parents chose to treat her with prayer. The girl died and the parents were prosecuted for neglecting their child.
Reports state the illness is very treatable, thus the dilemma.
While I do not agree the parents made the right choice in type of treatment, but who am I to dictate what treatment these parents must choose. Or anyone else (especially the government) for that matter. It is unfortunate that the child died, but should the parents have been prosecuted?
I say no. And here is why:
The parents in this case did not ignore their child. They chose to actively treat her with prayer. The treatment failed. Had these parents gone the conventional path and treated her with medicine, and the child had a reaction and died, would they be prosecuted as well? Of course not. But why the double standard? If a medical treatment causes a death, the provider can be sued for malpractice, but no one would charge the parent with reckless behavior.
The underlying problem is medical treatment is being sanctioned as the only treatment acceptable for illness. If you don't get treated medically, and death occurs, you will be prosecuted for not using "State Approved" care. (Minnesota boy with leukemia being forced to undergo chemotherapy)
While the death of this child is tragic, the loss of personal freedom to choose the type of health care best for you is more tragic. These parents chose poorly, but not criminally. What is criminal is forced vaccination, giving mercury laced flu shots to pregnant mothers, and preventing truthful information on natural and alternative treatments to be given to the public.
A one year old recently died following a flu shot. The child had seizures after getting the 6 month vaccines, and died after getting the flu shot. Are these parents going to be convicted of reckless homicide for killing their child? They knew the child had a poor reaction to vaccines in the past, yet their child was injected again (against their wishes) and died. Since it was a medical procedure that failed, it is just a tragedy. Besides, the official report will claim it was just a coincidence anyway.
Don't give up your rights! Support freedom of choice in health care. Remember, the number one cause of preventable death in the U.S. is not cancer or heart disease, it is medicine (errors, prescription drug interactions, surgery...). Medicine kills over 250,000 people every year!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The "Real" Problem with Health Care Reform
In life, there are always problems that arise. To solve these problems, there are some specific steps that must be followed. Einstein is quoted (I believe it was Einstein), "You cannot solve a problem with the same level of thinking that caused the problem." Our current "Health Care" reform endeavor is trying to solve a problem. Let's look at the problem:
Not enough access to affordable health care.
The problem statement above seems to be an accurate description of what we are trying to fix. But let's take a deeper look at the above statement. There are many false premises that need to be clarified to truly define the problem. The above statement is not true.
First of all; medical care and health care are two separate entities, they are NOT the same! The above statement is based on the presumption that health care is too expensive for people to afford with out insurance. The truth is "Medical" care is too expensive. Health care is FREE! You don't need a doctor when you are healthy. They do come in handy when you are actually sick or injured, but healthy people don't need doctors, and therefore, don't need medical care.
Second of all; The Law of Supply and Demand is being ignored. We have too many people consuming medical care. If we increased the number of healthy people, this would reduce the demand for medical services and, according to the Law of Supply and Demand, the price will go down. Lower price = affordable.
Thirdly; our health as a nation is pathetic. We rank near the bottom in all health statistics and markers. Yet we spend more than any other developed country, and consume more prescription drugs. We also eat more processed food, and exercise less. So, clearly our "medical" care is not healthy.
Much like our current medical system, the proposals on the table to "Reform Health Care" are nothing more than doing something to cover up the apparent problem (symptom),create new problems (side effects) and do nothing to address the underlying cause of the problem. We are trying to solve a problem with the same level of thinking that got us into this mess!
The best solution is most often the simplest solution. To reduce health care costs, reduce the demand by keeping people healthy.
I have outlined several steps in previous posts. Please review those for more information. Please leave a comment or question.
Not enough access to affordable health care.
The problem statement above seems to be an accurate description of what we are trying to fix. But let's take a deeper look at the above statement. There are many false premises that need to be clarified to truly define the problem. The above statement is not true.
First of all; medical care and health care are two separate entities, they are NOT the same! The above statement is based on the presumption that health care is too expensive for people to afford with out insurance. The truth is "Medical" care is too expensive. Health care is FREE! You don't need a doctor when you are healthy. They do come in handy when you are actually sick or injured, but healthy people don't need doctors, and therefore, don't need medical care.
Second of all; The Law of Supply and Demand is being ignored. We have too many people consuming medical care. If we increased the number of healthy people, this would reduce the demand for medical services and, according to the Law of Supply and Demand, the price will go down. Lower price = affordable.
Thirdly; our health as a nation is pathetic. We rank near the bottom in all health statistics and markers. Yet we spend more than any other developed country, and consume more prescription drugs. We also eat more processed food, and exercise less. So, clearly our "medical" care is not healthy.
Much like our current medical system, the proposals on the table to "Reform Health Care" are nothing more than doing something to cover up the apparent problem (symptom),create new problems (side effects) and do nothing to address the underlying cause of the problem. We are trying to solve a problem with the same level of thinking that got us into this mess!
The best solution is most often the simplest solution. To reduce health care costs, reduce the demand by keeping people healthy.
I have outlined several steps in previous posts. Please review those for more information. Please leave a comment or question.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Why Health Care Should Cost Money, and Lots
This whole "Health Care" debate has really gotten off track. As I have stated before, the current bills do absolutely nothing to improve health or reduce costs. Several proponents of the plan have an idealistic view of the problem. They expect "Free" health care courtesy of the government. From personal and professional observation, Free health care would be the worst thing to happen to this great nation.
Allow me to illustrate the folly of Free health care with at little story:
Two kids in the neighborhood want new bikes. The first kid tells his parents, "I want a new bike." and the parents give him the brand new bike. The second kid knows better than to ask his struggling parents to give him a new bike, so all summer he mows lawns and does several odd jobs. He saves his money, doesn't go to the movies with his buddies or buy candy at the store. Finally, he has enough to purchase the bike himself.
Ask yourself this question, who's bike will be in better condition in a year?
You know the answer, most grade school kids know the answer. The kid who worked hard and sacrificed will take very good care of his bike, because it has value. The first kid won't care if he leaves it outside in the rain, or bangs it up. He doesn't care because it didn't cost him anything, it has no value. If it breaks, his parents will probably get him a new one.
It is pure human nature. If something has value it is taken care of and cherished. If it has no value,it is disposable. Free health care has No Value!
I have seen this first hand in my practice. People who do not pay for their care are less healthy. There is no incentive to get healthy because someone else is going to pay for all the care they need. My patients who do not have insurance, or have very high deductibles and/or co-pays are much healthier. They value their health. They protect and maintain it like a valuable asset.
Even assets of great value, when given away for free, have no value to the recipient. Just look at free housing in inner city "Projects" or the free government housing given to the Native Americans for example. Run down and unkempt because the "owner" did not value it.
The best way to bring down health care costs is to improve the health of the nation. To do that, health has to have value. It has to be important enough to actively be taken care of. Routine tests and screenings should cost money. If you think you can't afford them, then you need to decide what is of more value. Maybe you have to cut back on other expenses, especially unhealthy ones. Smoking, alcohol, processed foods, etc... and put the money spent on unhealthy items into your health savings account to pay for better health.
Insurance was never supposed to cover routine maintenance. It is supposed to protect your assets in case of catastrophe/major illness. This is why I have always supported high deductible catastrophic insurance coupled with a health savings account. When you see where your health care dollars (and how much) are spent, you begin to live a healthier lifestyle.
Please leave a comment or question. Thanks for reading!
Allow me to illustrate the folly of Free health care with at little story:
Two kids in the neighborhood want new bikes. The first kid tells his parents, "I want a new bike." and the parents give him the brand new bike. The second kid knows better than to ask his struggling parents to give him a new bike, so all summer he mows lawns and does several odd jobs. He saves his money, doesn't go to the movies with his buddies or buy candy at the store. Finally, he has enough to purchase the bike himself.
Ask yourself this question, who's bike will be in better condition in a year?
You know the answer, most grade school kids know the answer. The kid who worked hard and sacrificed will take very good care of his bike, because it has value. The first kid won't care if he leaves it outside in the rain, or bangs it up. He doesn't care because it didn't cost him anything, it has no value. If it breaks, his parents will probably get him a new one.
It is pure human nature. If something has value it is taken care of and cherished. If it has no value,it is disposable. Free health care has No Value!
I have seen this first hand in my practice. People who do not pay for their care are less healthy. There is no incentive to get healthy because someone else is going to pay for all the care they need. My patients who do not have insurance, or have very high deductibles and/or co-pays are much healthier. They value their health. They protect and maintain it like a valuable asset.
Even assets of great value, when given away for free, have no value to the recipient. Just look at free housing in inner city "Projects" or the free government housing given to the Native Americans for example. Run down and unkempt because the "owner" did not value it.
The best way to bring down health care costs is to improve the health of the nation. To do that, health has to have value. It has to be important enough to actively be taken care of. Routine tests and screenings should cost money. If you think you can't afford them, then you need to decide what is of more value. Maybe you have to cut back on other expenses, especially unhealthy ones. Smoking, alcohol, processed foods, etc... and put the money spent on unhealthy items into your health savings account to pay for better health.
Insurance was never supposed to cover routine maintenance. It is supposed to protect your assets in case of catastrophe/major illness. This is why I have always supported high deductible catastrophic insurance coupled with a health savings account. When you see where your health care dollars (and how much) are spent, you begin to live a healthier lifestyle.
Please leave a comment or question. Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Health Care Plan
Wow, has it really been since June? Football and soccer are now done for a while, so I have a little more time now. On to the topic at hand!
The Health Care Plan
What a nightmare! Too many pages to actually read, at least 2 different proposals (House, Senate, White House...) and not one will make any difference whatsoever in the nations "Health." Every plan or version is nothing more than changing who is paying and how much for a failing "health care" system. Let's get one thing straight, we do not have a "health care" system in this country, we have a "disease/sick" care system. Mainstream medicine does absolutely nothing for disease prevention, wellness and health promotion/education. Mainstream medicine, as a business, only profits from the sick and injured. If you are healthy, you won't see a doctor. If you are healthy you don't need prescription medication, and you don't need surgery.
This is a very expensive and ineffective way to establish a healthy population. It has been argued that the U.S. has the best "Health Care" in the world. I would argue, we have the best "Emergency Care" in the world. If you are injured, suffer a heart attack or stroke, the best place in the world would be a U.S. hospital. But if you are well and are looking for ways to stay well and improve your health, this would be the last place to be.
In a recent e-mail from Sen. Herb Kohl, he quoted the following statistics: the U.S. spends $7290 on health care per person, yet the average cost among the 30 most developed countries is only $2960. The U.S. ranks 44th in infant mortality and 30th in life expectancy. Our "Health" care system is not working!
How do we fix this?
You must understand there are very powerful economic forces driving our current system. As an old friend said to me, "If you want to find out why certain things are done, just follow the money." Medicine and the pharmaceutical industry profit from you being sick. There is a strong financial motive to keep you sick. I know, most doctors do believe they are helping people. But remember, all of their training is funded and based on pharmaceuticals. Drug company reps. are constantly bombarding doctors with drug company research on the newest wonder drug. TV ads get the general public to "Ask if Deathinapill is right for you."
To fix the Health Care Crisis, here is what I suggest:
1) Ban all pharmaceutical ads to the general public.
2) Have all pharmaceutical companies pay into a "Research Fund" and have public universities do the drug trials in a blinded manner.
3) Equal insurance coverage for all licensed health care providers, including chiropractic, homeopathy, naturopathy, acupuncture, etc..
4) Set up Health Savings Accounts for everyone.
5) Ban artificial sweeteners, additives, flavorings (MSG) from food sources
6) Improve education in grade schools and up on wellness and disease prevention.
These are the main highlights to improving our system. If you would like details on any of the above, let me know. Just remember, health care is not a right, but a responsibility. Our country cannot survive if the population is ill. In order to not only succeed, but to survive, we must change our habits and improve our health. The internet is a great start, as information that was previously hidden by the powers that be, is now available for everyone. Public demand is making manufactures change their products for the better due to this information (stevia instead of aspartame). Of course, beware of the false claims and hype. If you have questions, let me know.
Please leave a comment or question, this could be a very good topic for discussion as I have planted a few seeds with this one.
The Health Care Plan
What a nightmare! Too many pages to actually read, at least 2 different proposals (House, Senate, White House...) and not one will make any difference whatsoever in the nations "Health." Every plan or version is nothing more than changing who is paying and how much for a failing "health care" system. Let's get one thing straight, we do not have a "health care" system in this country, we have a "disease/sick" care system. Mainstream medicine does absolutely nothing for disease prevention, wellness and health promotion/education. Mainstream medicine, as a business, only profits from the sick and injured. If you are healthy, you won't see a doctor. If you are healthy you don't need prescription medication, and you don't need surgery.
This is a very expensive and ineffective way to establish a healthy population. It has been argued that the U.S. has the best "Health Care" in the world. I would argue, we have the best "Emergency Care" in the world. If you are injured, suffer a heart attack or stroke, the best place in the world would be a U.S. hospital. But if you are well and are looking for ways to stay well and improve your health, this would be the last place to be.
In a recent e-mail from Sen. Herb Kohl, he quoted the following statistics: the U.S. spends $7290 on health care per person, yet the average cost among the 30 most developed countries is only $2960. The U.S. ranks 44th in infant mortality and 30th in life expectancy. Our "Health" care system is not working!
How do we fix this?
You must understand there are very powerful economic forces driving our current system. As an old friend said to me, "If you want to find out why certain things are done, just follow the money." Medicine and the pharmaceutical industry profit from you being sick. There is a strong financial motive to keep you sick. I know, most doctors do believe they are helping people. But remember, all of their training is funded and based on pharmaceuticals. Drug company reps. are constantly bombarding doctors with drug company research on the newest wonder drug. TV ads get the general public to "Ask if Deathinapill is right for you."
To fix the Health Care Crisis, here is what I suggest:
1) Ban all pharmaceutical ads to the general public.
2) Have all pharmaceutical companies pay into a "Research Fund" and have public universities do the drug trials in a blinded manner.
3) Equal insurance coverage for all licensed health care providers, including chiropractic, homeopathy, naturopathy, acupuncture, etc..
4) Set up Health Savings Accounts for everyone.
5) Ban artificial sweeteners, additives, flavorings (MSG) from food sources
6) Improve education in grade schools and up on wellness and disease prevention.
These are the main highlights to improving our system. If you would like details on any of the above, let me know. Just remember, health care is not a right, but a responsibility. Our country cannot survive if the population is ill. In order to not only succeed, but to survive, we must change our habits and improve our health. The internet is a great start, as information that was previously hidden by the powers that be, is now available for everyone. Public demand is making manufactures change their products for the better due to this information (stevia instead of aspartame). Of course, beware of the false claims and hype. If you have questions, let me know.
Please leave a comment or question, this could be a very good topic for discussion as I have planted a few seeds with this one.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The Joys of Being a Sports Doc
Been a while since my last post, but when you are a Sports Doc with a family, life gets pretty hectic. Many of my friends, when they look at my schedule, wonder how I do it. I'm not really sure, I just do it.
May was a very good busy month, Roller Derby was winding down and football was just starting. Unfortunately, these overlapped which made life very interesting. The football team I play for and serve as team doctor, Fox Valley Force www.fvforce.com kicked off the season in Kimberly on May 9. The Paper Valley Roller Girls www.papervalleyrollergirls.com had their season finale on May 9. So, off to the football field at 2:00 to start taping players, get dressed and warmed up for the game, play the first half, check on any injuries, go to the locker room, shower and change, drive cross town to the roller rink and get set up for roller derby. Catch my breath!
Stretch and adjust a few skaters, evaluate some pretty good injuries (torn PCL, torn hamstring insertion), get text from football coach on final score, adjust a few more skaters, and finally pack up for the day. The hard part now is which after party to attend? Problem solved, attend both!
May 16, repeat the above with the Force and the Fox Cityz Foxz www.foxcityzfoxz.com !
Memorial weekend came at the right time!
Roller derby is done for me until the fall, football is now half over, and soccer season has just begun. I coach a 15 year old girls soccer team-Neenah Dragons.
What make it possible to do all this? I love it! Life would be pretty boring without all the adventure.
Leave a comment or question, love to hear your thoughts.
May was a very good busy month, Roller Derby was winding down and football was just starting. Unfortunately, these overlapped which made life very interesting. The football team I play for and serve as team doctor, Fox Valley Force www.fvforce.com kicked off the season in Kimberly on May 9. The Paper Valley Roller Girls www.papervalleyrollergirls.com had their season finale on May 9. So, off to the football field at 2:00 to start taping players, get dressed and warmed up for the game, play the first half, check on any injuries, go to the locker room, shower and change, drive cross town to the roller rink and get set up for roller derby. Catch my breath!
Stretch and adjust a few skaters, evaluate some pretty good injuries (torn PCL, torn hamstring insertion), get text from football coach on final score, adjust a few more skaters, and finally pack up for the day. The hard part now is which after party to attend? Problem solved, attend both!
May 16, repeat the above with the Force and the Fox Cityz Foxz www.foxcityzfoxz.com !
Memorial weekend came at the right time!
Roller derby is done for me until the fall, football is now half over, and soccer season has just begun. I coach a 15 year old girls soccer team-Neenah Dragons.
What make it possible to do all this? I love it! Life would be pretty boring without all the adventure.
Leave a comment or question, love to hear your thoughts.
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