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The DUTCH Hormone Test

Are you feeling tired, burnt out, or exhausted? Are you experiencing issues with adrenal issues like stress, sleep disturbances, or energy problems? Do you struggle with fertility issues like PMS, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), or irregular/painful periods? If you answered yes to any of these questions, keep reading to learn how a DUTCH test can help you. 

Often, men and women come into my clinic unaware that they are suffering from a hormonal imbalance, which may be presenting with symptoms such as headaches, bloating, mood swings, fatigue, anxiety, depression, decreased sex drive, and weight gain. With these patients, I almost always recommend they get a complete DUTCH test. 

The DUTCH test stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones it is the most comprehensive test available for testing hormones. The test measures the following hormone metabolites from dried urine samples:

  • Cortisol
  • Cortisone
  • Estradiol 
  • Estrone
  • Estriol
  • Progesterone
  • Testosterone
  • DHEA and DHEA-s 
  • Melatonin

Recognized for its ease-of-collection, and comprehensive reporting, the DUTCH test provides a unique look into your hormones that is not available elsewhere. Here are some reasons a DUTCH test may be right for you:

  • Stress or Adrenal Issues: If you’re experiencing issues with depression & anxiety, managing stress levels, or a lack of energy, your adrenal hormones may be responsible. Testing these hormones and their rhythms, specifically the HPA axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal), gives us a look at how your adrenals and brain are communicating. The HPA axis is part of the endocrine system and is a key regulatory pathway in maintaining homeostatic processes. This influences our immune function and our body’s response to stress. When actual or perceived stress occurs, your HPA axis is activated and cortisol is produced. Altered cortisol levels can lead to a multitude of health problems, such as acne, chronic fatigue, nausea, and weight gain. 
  • Fertility Problems: For fertility problems, such as decreased sex drive, irregular or painful periods, moodiness, endometriosis, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), fibroids, or PMS, the DUTCH test is the gold standard for identifying hormonal imbalances that may be the culprit. These conditions can be associated with imbalances in the adrenal or reproductive hormones, and the DUTCH test gives us a comprehensive view on what might be contributing to these issues.
  • Difficulty with Sleep: Melatonin plays a vital role in regulating our sleep/wake cycles. If your melatonin is low, or your cortisol is high, you may experience difficulty sleeping or staying asleep. A melatonin deficiency can be associated with certain forms of dementia, mood disorders, and how the body handles pain. 
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy: If you’re using HRT, it’s essential to monitor your levels, and this test works uniquely well for testing for those using oral progesterone, vaginal hormones, patches, pellets, and injections. 
  • DHEA and DHEA-s: DHEA is a key precursor hormone that our body uses to produce other hormones, like estrogen and testosterone. Also known as the ā€œfeel goodā€ hormone, low DHEA can cause fatigue, a decrease in muscle mass or bone density, aching joints, loss of libido, and lowered immunity. The DUTCH test measures DHEA and DHEA-s, which is an alternative form of the hormone, and your patterns will provide further insight into your DHEA production. 
  • Estrogen Disruptions: Estrogen Dominance is a form of hormonal imbalance affecting women, and involves abnormally high estrogen levels, possibly due to the production of progesterone. Potential symptoms you may experience with this condition include: PMS, painful periods, fibroids, tender or fibrous breasts, or endometriosis. Alterations in the metabolic pathways for estrogen can lead to health problems like estrogen dominance, as well as certain types of cancers like breast, cervical, or uterine cancer. The DUTCH test detects levels of estrogen and can help identify instances of nutrient deficiencies or genetic mutations associated with your symptoms. 

We have had the honor or working with and helping countless men and women combat their hormone issues with the DUTCH test. Each test is unique, and the findings will influence the unique protocol that will help you heal your imbalances and find your optimal wellness.

To find out more about if the DUTCH test is right for you, schedule your appointment today. 

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Mediator Release Test/MRT Food Sensitivity Testing

Are you struggling with symptoms that don’t seem to go away? Have you seen countless professionals who are unable to determine the cause of your issues? If this is you, then you may be dealing with food sensitivities.

Food sensitivities tend to be chronic, occur frequently, and can be difficult to identify. In many cases, symptoms don’t appear until 48-72 hours after consumption, which can make it difficult to determine what’s causing your symptoms. Food sensitivities trigger immune-mediated responses to specific foods, and when our body encounters these food or food chemicals, our immune system releases mediators, or pro-inflammatory chemicals, which cause unpleasant or adverse symptomatology. Medications can also make identifying the underlying causes of our health issues difficult. This delays our healing process and can lead to unnecessary treatments and medications.

There is a difference between food sensitivities and food intolerances or allergies. With a food allergy, the immune response is usually immediate, or within 30 minutes of consumption or exposure. These symptoms most often impact the skin, lungs, throat, and GI tract, with anaphylaxis being the most severe reaction. Food intolerance refers to the lack of an enzyme, such as lactose intolerance. These symptoms generally appear within a few hours of consumption and only impact the GI tract. Symptoms associated with food intolerances are things like gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or nausea.

When dealing with food sensitivities, any bodily system can be impacted, and a variety of conditions are often associated with food sensitivities, such as: Migraines, ADD/ADHD, Fibromyalgia, Autism, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis, Epilepsy, Insomnia, Chron’s Disease, GERD, Ulcerative Colitis, and more. Symptoms that may be associated with food sensitivities are: brain fog, hives, eczema, or skin rashes, bloating or diarrhea, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, mood swings, congestion or respiratory conditions, joint or muscle pain, behavioral issues such as anger, aggression or hyperactivity, and more.

The most comprehensive and accurate blood test available for recognizing food sensitivities is the MRT-LEAP test. The MRT, or Mediator Release Test, is a blood analysis test that identifies trigger foods. This test indirectly measures mediators from various white blood cells. It does so through a precise method that measures changes in liquid/solids ratio of blood samples after the whole blood has been incubated with either an individual food, additive, or chemical. This test will identify 170 foods and food-chemicals as either non-reactive, moderately reactive, or highly reactive, and will also identify the best foods for a patient to consume. Once we receive your MRT test results, we will work together to create a customized diet and nutritional plan to fit your needs and symptoms.

For more information on MRT testing or to schedule your first appointment, please visit www.DrRyanBland.com, email Dr.RyanBland@Gmail.com, or call 253-302-3131.

Ā 

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What is Cupping and Is It Right for Me?Ā 

woman receiving cupping therapy on back

For thousands of years, people have been using cupping to ease headaches, neck pain, back pain, and other problems. Cupping is a relaxing and relieving therapy that uses suction cups placed directly on the skin, and then manually pumped to create a suction. The cups are left for several minutes, during which the suction in the cups gently separates muscle from the surrounding connective tissue to improve blood and lymph flow. This process stimulates the body’s natural healing process and helps restore balance.Ā 

Cupping can have benefits for just about anyone who uses it. It can treat physical and emotional issues and can be used for chronic problems such as rheumatism, inflammation, asthma, hypertension, irritable bowel disease, digestive issues, headaches, acne, chronic constipation, and more. In addition to its use in healing various health conditions, cupping is a modality that is widely utilized in sports medicine and has been used to improve athletic performance, as well as prevent and heal musculoskeletal pain and injuries.

Our bodies already have organs that deal with and remove toxins, but in today’s modern world we sometimes overwork our body’s natural systems. Toxins can build up in the body from stress, poor diet, or being exposed to pollutants like cars, chemicals, and heavy metals. When the body is overloaded with toxins, it can damage your enzymes and lead to a lack of energy, and lower your body’s ability to protect against oxidative stress.Ā 

With cupping, skin, muscle, and other soft tissues are pulled due to suction which naturally increases the blood circulation to the treated area. This increased blood flow helps flush out any toxins in the blood as well as attract immune cells to the area. The blood now contains increased oxygen which can then assist with cell repair and forming new connective tissues. Focusing the blood flow to specific areas helps your body’s lymphatic system clear built-up toxins. The increased blood flow also aids in relieving the body of inflammation, which helps with managing pain, as well as lessening the time needed for the body to repair itself. [The medical perspective of cupping therapy: Effects and mechanisms of action]

This process is may cause some discomfort, but should not be a painful experience. Many patients equate the experience to being similar to the sensation of a deep tissue massage. The sensations you experience are going to be dependent on several factors, such as your condition, the area of treatment, and your goals for your session.Ā 

At our office, each patient is assessed as an individual, and treatment plans are given based on what is going to provide you with the best outcomes for optimizing your health and wellness. Dr. Bland will give recommendations for the best way to reach your health and fitness goals. This may include follow-up cupping sessions, home stretches, dietary modifications, herbal supplements, or other integrative health and wellness treatments, like chiropractic or applied kinesiology. Together, these treatments work to retrain your body’s natural ability to heal, and though most patients begin to feel improvement after their first visit, some may take two or three sessions before they begin experiencing real change.Ā 

If you’re experiencing pain or other chronic conditions and want to find out if cupping is right for you, give us a call at 253-302-3131 or visit our website to schedule an appointment today.Ā 

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ADHD & Developmental Delays

Chiropractic Care of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Developmental Delays: A Case Report

Objective: To evaluate and discuss the long-term effect of chiropractic care on a 3-year-old male patient with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, developmental delays, and behavioral disturbances.

Clinical Features: The patient came to the clinic as a 3-year-old male who suffers with ADHD, behavioral disturbances and cognitive developmental delays. The patient experienced difficulty paying attention, daily tantrums, and long-lasting obsessive-compulsive episodes. The patient had a hard time following directions due to his hyper-behavior. The patient also has signs of fatigue, forgetfulness, and depression. Further evaluation of the patient’s history revealed that he had asthma and episodes of shortness of breath. The parents sought chiropractic care at age three when they realized difficulty reaching developmental milestones.

Intervention & Outcomes: After performing a case history, physical examination and chiropractic evaluation, it was determined that the patient had subluxations at multiple spinal regions. Also, a pelvic imbalance is noted with a right un-inhibited tensor fascia lata. The patient received chiropractic adjustments utilizing the Applied Kinesiology technique. The patient started care in the year 2000, and has been under care for the 13 years. The patient is checked for vertebral subluxations/misalignments every visit and is adjusted as needed. There was improvement of all symptoms including an increase in the child’s performance under initial and long-term care. Additionally, there were improvements in the patient’s behavioral disorders and cognitive development.

Conclusion: The findings presented in this case study suggest that chiropractic adjustments may induce benefits to patients who are suffering from behavioral disturbances and developmental delays.

Key Words: Applied Kinesiology, Chiropractic, ADHD, Subluxation, Neurodevelopmental, and Pediatric.

Introduction:

According to the Merck Manual, learning disabilities such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are conditions that cause a discrepancy between potential and actual levels of academic performance as predicted by the patient’s intellectual abilities. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition states that ADHD criteria include, but are not limited to inattention to tasks, disorderly behavior, fidgeting, leaving seats frequently, inability to follow directions, etc. These actions need to be met in a certain quantity and need to be expressed for six months or more. If a child displays these behaviors and it is apparent that it is affecting their lives they are diagnosed with ADHD.

According to Rohde and Halpern attention deficit disorder, also known as ADHD has been around since the 19thcentury. In 1902, Still described 43 children with characteristics of aggression, defiance, emotionality, disinhibition, inattention, and deficient rule governing behavior. Still had hypothesized that the central feature of the disorder was ā€œa defect in moral controlā€ and could affect individuals with our without a cognitive disorder and with or without a neurological disorder. Fast forward a few hundred years and the prevalence of this disorder drastically increased with no genetic predisposition. In 2003-2004 one in five white males had received ADHD medication. There are now growing concerns with the safety of the medications given, its long-term use, and effectiveness in treating this condition. This has brought a growing demand for alternative forms of healthcare.

Currently, Shum et al found ADHD is one of the most common behavioral disorders in childhood, which affects 3%-9% of children, which are mostly male. Behavioral and electrophysiological studies divulge abnormalities in brain regions concerning sensory integration. The prefrontal cortex is involved in executive functioning, however, other areas that are imperative for sensorimotor control which include the basal ganglia and cerebellum. These factors can explain suboptimal performance in some children who experience ADHD. Shum et al proposed, ā€œBalance control is an important sensorimotor function that may be compromised in ADHD population because it requires the ability to integrate inputs from various sensory systems (ie, somatosensory, visual, vestibular) and to utilize the integrated sensory signals in generating coordinated motor actions to maintain body equilibrium.ā€

The complexity of this condition and an unknown etiology leaves no set template when dealing with a child with ADHD. The medical approach has always been a one-trick pony with ADHD by prescribing drugs. 30% who use medication for their ADHD do not experience clinically significant outcomes. With a lot of families questions that have gone unanswered with the medical approach, they decided to try complementary alternative medicine therapies also known as CAM. There has been a 68% surge in CAM based practitioners ranging from speech therapy, nutritionists, supplement companies and especially chiropractors. This evidence emulates the need for further research involving chiropractic and ADHD.

At this time developmental delay syndromes such as ADHD have an inconclusive etiology. While many consider developmental delay disorders are primarily genetic in nature there are many that are trying to dig deeper to find a cause but a plethora of people working together in a multimodal approach for the purpose of making those lives who suffer less dismal.

Case Report:

Patient History:

A three-year-old male patient entered the chiropractic clinic due to issues sleeping, problems focusing, chronic allergies, sinusitis, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and attention deficit disorder. The parents primarily brought the child in because he was not meeting his developmental milestones observed by his pediatric physician. His obsessive behavior and difficulty holding attention made it very hard for the family to have a normal life. His parents felt that their child was too young to start on a strict regiment of pharmaceuticals that have a wide range of negative side effects, instead wanted to seek an alternative approach.

Examination:

During the physical examination, it was noted the patient exhibited a right head tilt, a right low shoulder due to a left inhibited left upper trapezius muscle innervated by the spinal accessory nerve. Also affected were the patient’s eyes, ears, nose, and throat as standard asthmatic symptomology. The patient also presented with anterior head carriage measuring 3cm, which doubled the weight of the cervical column in this instance. Upon range of motion evaluation, the patient also presented with a low left hip a left posterior inferior ilium. Inhibition of the right psoas and right sternocleidomastoid were muscle graded at +2/5 that is considered a weak contraction of the muscle. The patient presented with a normal oral PH, and normal vitamin C. The patient’s cervical range of motion was restricted in all directions. The patient restricted right thoracic rotation resulted in a hyperactive and hypertonic diaphragm. Most importantly the patient had upper cervical fixations at the first cervical vertebrae (also known as the atlas) and occiput. The patient also presented with thoracic and pelvic fixation. During the exam the patient had difficulty taking directions, paying attention, and completing tasks on his own. The chiropractor also observed a left short leg while checking for leg length inequality in the prone position. Analysis of leg length inequality is a commonly used criterion among chiropractors for the detection of vertebral subluxation. Also shown to have good inter-examiner reliability is the use of prone leg length analysis. Applied Kinesiology chiropractic deals with the modification of the motor system in assessing, treating as well as understanding one of the causes of musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Applied kinesiology (AK) locates lesions in the nervous system called subluxations by the manual testing muscles. According to Cuthbert and Goodheart “Manual muscle tests evaluate the ability of the nervous system to adapt the muscle to meet the changing pressure of the examiner’s test. This requires that the examiner be trained in the anatomy, physiology, and neurology of muscle function. Combined with other standard methods of chiropractic diagnosis. The treatments are a variety of conservative, non-invasive treatments, which involve joint manipulations, mobilizations, myofascial therapies, cranial techniques, and nutrition.

Intervention:

Treatment

After a full evaluation of the patient, a care management plan was created by the chiropractic physician. The patient started receiving adjustments one time a week for three months, then once the patient began to improve he visited the office twice a month for the next 6 months. Since then the patient has been under maintenance care for the past thirteen years averaging six office visits per year. During the entire care plan, the patient was adjusted using Applied kinesiology.

Subluxations upon examination were found in the cervical, thoracic, and pelvic imbalance was noted due to an un-inhibited tensor fascia lata on the right. The patient had subluxations that were confirmed with motion palpation, and manual muscle testing to assess the malposition of each vertebra. The doctor would find a strong muscle by isolating it with a muscle test. Then this muscle is used as an indicator when certain vectors to the body make the muscle fail. The doctor would use leg length analysis, along with motion palpation to get a general idea of where the subluxations are located. Then the doctor goes up the spinal vertebral levels in vectors that would make the patient either strong or weak. When the doctor finds a possible subluxation, the strong muscle being tested would fail. The corrections are then made in the direction where the challenged muscle holds strong. At the first cervical vertebrae also known as C1, the patient’s lateral mass was protruding to the right upon palpation. The doctor found that the child’s deltoid muscle was stable and strong and used it as a reference when muscle testing this specific vertebra. When pushing on the left transverse (which exaggerates the malposition) process of the atlas, the patient was not able to hold his arm up and when the doctor pushes on the right transverse process of the atlas, it was recorded that he was able to hold strong. These indications with a short right prone leg length of the patient supported the doctor’s findings to adjust the right atlas. The doctor made a sustained contact with the tip of his second digit on the patient’s right transverse process of atlas in a lateral to medial vector. For approximately 20 seconds the doctor held the contact and then re-evaluated the previous muscle tests, to make sure the patient could hold his arm up against all vectors of stress in an active muscle test. The doctor would not proceed unless the patient was able to hold strong and on some visits, he had to repeat the procedure one more time until the patient held strong in all vectors of stress. The patient also had subluxations in the thoracic spine at the levels of T7, T8, and T12 with a posterior and left rotation malposition. The doctor used the hamstrings as a strong muscle to muscle to test the patient. Upon isolating the thoracic vertebra mentioned above the muscle tested weak. Then the doctor put a posterior to anterior sustained force and the muscle held strong indicating a posteriority of the thoracic spine. Also, the doctor contacted the spinous and pushed it from right to left and the muscle test failed. Then the doctor pushed the spinous from left to right making the patient hold strong, which indicates a left rotation malposition of the spinous. The adjustments were given with a single hand pisiform contact with the other hand stabilizing. The line of drive was superior to inferior, posterior to anterior, and left to right. The thrusts were a high amplitude, short lever, and low force adjustment at the levels of T7, T8, and T12. The pelvic imbalance was found due to an un-inhibited tensor fascia lata which was found weak on a muscle test rated at +2/5. The doctor manually held trigger points at the Golgi tendon organ of the muscle while applying circular pressure for 20-40 seconds to inhibit the muscle.

Outcomes:

The outcomes were measured with reassessments including parent questionnaires, spinal ranges of motion, posture assessment, and muscle testing. The patient had restored ranges of motion in all directions, normal posture, even muscle tone, and normal reflexes.

The patient has been under chiropractic care since age three and is now sixteen. This coming fall of 2013 he will be entering a public high school for the first time. He has taken up standup comedy as a hobby and performs successfully in front of large audiences.

Discussion:

Chiropractic approach of ADHD

The purpose of this case study is to discuss the relationship between Chiropractic care and an improvement in behavioral disturbances and cognitive developmental delay with those who suffer from ADHD. Most approaches to this disorder are multimodal consisting of pharmaceuticals and cognitive behavioral therapy. According to Cuthbert, in an article called, Developmental delay syndromes: psychometric testing before and after chiropractic treatment of 157 children the main ingredient in ADHD medication is methylphenidate, which has an increase of use by 700% since 1990. However, due to side effects and other complications with pharmaceuticals, many parents have been exploring new territory. According to a case report by Mcreynolds. the common side effects of methylphenidate include nervousness, agitation, anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, headache, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and psychosis.

Chiropractic approach:

In a case study called, Chiropractic Management of a Patient with Symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, we have a 5-year-old boy diagnosed with ADHD. Just like our patient this child suffered from breathing difficulties such as asthma that would wake him at night and would cause him to act out. The patient also presented with similar hypertonicities of spinal postural muscles, which indicates a nervous system that is not functioning the way is should. Treatment began three times a week and eventually progressed 2 to times a week over the course of 12 weeks. After one year the patient’s symptoms improved where he was able to follow instructions, his performance in school went up, and his general home life had improved drastically, namely by the parent’s report.

Chiropractic care for non-musculoskeletal issues seems like an outside the box idea, but few recognize the brain is connected to everything in the body through nerves that are transmitted through the whole spine. It is not surprising to many that chiropractic can help those who suffer from ADHD. According to a case study by Shum called, compares standing balance performance and sensory organization balance in children with ADHD. 43 children with ADHD were evaluated in their abilities to balance with a Sensory Organization Test and the conclusion was that children with ADHD had statistically lower values and in this case proved a decreased performance level in the visual system controlling balance.

In one qualitative study by Hermansen, and Miller concerning mothers with children who have ADHD, chiropractors coupled the use of adjusting and the use of interactive metronome exercises. The study highlights the point of view of the parent to help better understand this disorder and to also show the benefits and the safe option of chiropractic. Five mothers with six children participated in the study and were under care for two months; the drop out rate was zero. The analysis included interviews from the mothers before and aftercare. From the data collected the researchers found that all mothers found an improvement in their children’s performance and behavior. The study revealed the need to expand research by applying a biopsychosocial model into our current health care model.

It is important to assess that the Evidence-based practice should be utilized to treat the nature of this condition. However, there are challenges in the pediatric chiropractic field that are not being had by the medical field. The chiropractic research community has a hard time performing substantial-quality randomized, triple-blind, and placebo based trials due to a disconnect between doctors and practice, and doctors who are in research. Funding also comes into account, as chiropractic is considered an alternative measure and does not get as many opportunities as Medical research does. There needs to be larger randomized control trials to be able to apply the scientific data to a set population. According to Alcantara, Ohm J, and Kunz the terms of safety of pediatric chiropractic treatment the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) described how 264 chiropractors reported on 512 children and the prevalence of an adverse event was 0.67%. These adverse effects are much lower than the risk of taking pharmaceuticals. Due to such low adverse effects and a growing demand for chiropractic for children it would only make sense to continue research. Chiropractic care of children offers a conservative option to higher the risk of medical options.

In an article by Blum and Cuthbert16called, Developmental Delay Syndromes and Chiropractic: A Case Report we look at one fraternal twin diagnosed with ADHD and developmental delays and their outcomes from chiropractic treatment. The article discusses a 2-year-old girl with evident head tilt and obvious plagiocephaly. The child would experience frequent temper tantrums and nightmares that would cause her to wake up screaming. The child was not able to perform at preschool or at home. She was noted to be slower emotionally and intellectually compared to her brother. The doctor saw the patient five times and gave her a supplemental mineral to help soothe the nervous system. The patient’s cranial bones that were adjusted were occiput, maxilla, and left temporal bone. After the first visit, the patient noticed improved posture and a resolution of her pelvic imbalance. After the fifth visit, the patient was stable within her family and school. She was followed up for five years and when she turned seven it was noted that she is equal to her twin brother and was performing well in school. However, more information must be collected and more research must be conducted to determine an evidence relationship with chiropractic care and the improvement of ADHD and developmental disorders.

In an article by Young called, Chiropractic management of a child with ADD/ADHD we examine a four-year-old boy who suffers from ADHD and developmental disorders. The patient came into the clinic with frequent temper tantrums, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, aggression towards other children, and spoke very rarely. He also was unable to go to the bathroom by himself and was having frequent accidents. The child received ten chiropractic adjustments over a two-year period. Four treatments were done over a period of one month and then once every four months. An activator was used to adjust the patient’s atlas and was given single leg balancing proprioceptive exercises. The patient was also put on a multivitamin and zinc supplement. The parents and teachers reported that after the first phase of care the patient had improved in all areas of deficit. He was behaving and engaging in activities as well as talking a lot more. This is definitely a successful outcome of chiropractic but some might question the role of the supplementation. The study could have been more specifically geared towards the effects of the adjustment if the multivitamin was left out. Many children display other issues along with ADHD that seem to be addressed in many case studies supporting chiropractic treatments. However, more randomized control trials need to be published to support chiropractic care in this avenue.

ADHD and Vertebral Subluxation

According to McReynolds, due to the chronicity of some of these symptoms, it is important to have the child under long term care so we can monitor the adjustments over time.18 Some children have resolution of their behavioral issues while others still have to manage their condition throughout their lives. However, according Kent’s19article it is important to continue to analyze and adjust especially if symptoms do not resolve because the motion of spinal segments are endowed by nociceptive and mechanoreceptive structures. This is important because biomechanical dysfunction can affect normal nociception, mechanoreception or both. Aberrant neurological input to the CNS may lead to dysponesis and altered states of homeostasis. To use the contemporary jargon of the computer industry, ā€œgarbage in—garbage out.ā€ Therefore unless the vertebral subluxations are corrected the children with ADHD are going to continue to have altered perception due to interference on the nervous system into and throughout adulthood. According to Cuthbert and Barras a vertebral challenge is manually muscle tested and used a diagnostic tool to determine inhibition. The manual muscle test is a theory that tests a patient’s ability to handle external forces. An inability to withstand external forces in a manual muscle test would indicate that the sensory information is not getting to the brain and back efficiently enough to elicit a proper response. These three forces are according to Stephonson21 can be mental chemical or physical. Stephenson said, “a subluxation is the condition of a vertebra that has lost its proper juxtaposition with the one above or the one below or both; to an extent less than a luxation; which impinges nerves and interferes with the transmission of mental impulses.” The interference that Stephenson mentions supports the garbage in and garbage out theory proposed in Kent’s article. It is this same interference that causes the muscle tests to fail and once the doctor finds a weak muscle, he then finds the correction, which is specific to each adjustment. Once the correction is made to a subluxation, the doctor re-checks the involved structure or structures to make sure the body can handle a stimulus. The direct information from holding strong after an adjustment gives positive feedback to that practitioner.

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Conclusion:

This case report outlines long term (10 years of) chiropractic care of a 3-year-old boy who suffers from ADHD, behavioral disturbances and cognitive developmental delays. After chiropractic care consisting of specific vertebral subluxation-based adjustments, the patient is now free of his pre-existing disabilities. He had remarkable improvements with his behavioral problems and cognitive abilities. This case is one example of how chiropractic is helpful in bringing balance back to a child’s life. Though this is only one example, it adds to the studies that show chiropractic care has shown to be effective for helping to control ADHD in children and other non-musculoskeletal conditions. More research in this area should be explored to better inform the public and other healthcare practitioners as to the results of chiropractic care.

If you have any comments or questions please email me: Dr.RyanBland@gmail.com

– Dr. Bland

Dr. Ryan Bland is a second-generation Chiropractor and Applied Kinesiologist practicing in Tacoma / Seattle WA. Dr. Bland treats chronically ill patients with fatigue, intestinal issues, depression, autoimmune conditions, etc. The patients he has seen most often seen many other doctors beforehand and can be helped using a unique protocol developed by Michael Lebowitz DC. He also works with professional athletes, actors, dancers, and people from all over the world, working to optimize overall health.

Bibliography

1. The Merk Manual of Dianosis and Therapy, 18th edition 2006.

2. American Psychiatric Association. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000

3. Alcantara J, Davis J. The chiropractic care of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a retrospective case series. Explore (NY). 2010;6:173-182.

4. Shum SB, Pang MY. Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have impaired balance function: involvement of somatosensory, visual, and vestibular systems. J Pediatr 2009;155:245–249.

5. Karpouzis F, Bonello R, Pollard H. Chiropractic care for pediatric and adolescent attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review, Chiropractic and Manual Therapies 2010 Jun 2; 1-16.

6. Walker B, Buchbinder R. Most commonly used methods of detecting spinal subluxation and the preferred term for its description: A survey of chiropractors in Victoria, Australia. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1997 Nov-Dec;20(9):593-589.

7. Holt KR, Russell DG, Hoffman NJ, Bruce BI, Bushell PM, Taylor HH. Interexaminer reliability of a leg length analysis procedure among novice and experienced practitioners. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2009 Mar-Apr;32(3):216-222.

8. Cuthbert SC, Goodheart GJ Jr. On the reliability and validity of manual muscle testing: a literature review. Chiropr Osteopat 2007; 15: 4.

9. Cuthbert SC, Barras M. Developmental delay syndromes: psychometric testing before and after chiropractic treatment of 157 children. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2009 Oct 1; 660-668.

10. Mcreynolds MW. Resolution of tics and reduction in vertebral subluxation in a pediatric patient undergoing chiropractic care: A case report. J Pediatr Matern & Fam Health 2010 Oct 6; 154-158.

11. Muir JM, Chiropractic management of a patient with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Chiropr Med 2012 Jan 1; 221-224.

12. Shum SB, Pang MY. Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have impaired balance function: involvement of somatosensory, visual, and vestibular systems. J Pediatr 2009;155:245–249.

13. Hermansen MS, Miller PJ. The lived experience of mothers of ADHD children undergoing chiropractic care: A qualitative study. Clin Chiropr 2009;16:182-192.

14. Blum C, Advertising, Evidence and Expertise in the Care of Pediatric Patients. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health 2010 Nov 10; 163-167.

15. J Alcantara, DC Ohm, DK Kunz. The safety and effectiveness of pediatric chiropractic: a survey of chiropractors and parents in a practice-based research network. Explore (NY), 5 (2009), pp. 290–295.

16. Blum CL, Cuthbert SC. Developmental delay syndromes and chiropractic: A case report. J Pediatr Matern & Fam Health 2009 Aug 31; 1-4.

17. Young A. Chiropractic management of a child With ADD/ADHD. J Vert Sublux Res 2007 Sept 6; 1-3.

18. Mcreynolds MW. Resolution of tics and reduction in vertebral subluxation in a pediatric patient undergoing chiropractic care: A case report. J Pediatr Matern & Fam Health 2010 Oct 6; 154-158.

19. Kent C. Models of Vertebral Subluxation: A Review. J of Vertebral Subluxation Res. 1996;1(1):1-7.

20. Cuthbert SC, Barras M. Developmental delay syndromes: psychometric testing before and after chiropractic treatment of 157 children. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2009 Oct 1; 660-668.

21. Stephenson RW. Chiropractic Textbook. Davenport: Palmer School of Chiropractic; 1927.

Lerner B, Lerner S. Improvement in learning and speech disorder in a child with vertebral subluxations undergoing chiropractic care: A case study. J Pediatr Matern & Fam Health 2009 Nov 1; 1-7.

Bastecki AV. Harrison DE, Haas JW. Cervical kyphosis is a possible link to attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2004 Nov 1; 1-4.

Karpouzis F, Bonello R, Pollard H. Chiropractic care for pediatric and adolescent attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review, Chiropractic and Manual Therapies 2010 Jun 2; 1-16.

Cuthbert SC, Barras M. Developmental delay syndromes: psychometric testing before and after chiropractic treatment of 157 children. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2009 Oct 1; 660-668.

Mcreynolds MW. Resolution of tics and reduction in vertebral subluxation in a pediatric patient undergoing chiropractic care: A case report. J Pediatr Matern & Fam Health 2010 Oct 6; 154-158.

J Alcantara, DC Ohm, DK Kunz. The safety and effectiveness of pediatric chiropractic: a survey of chiropractors and parents in a practice-based research network. Explore (NY), 5 (2009), pp. 290–295

Soo I, Mah JK, Barlow K, Hamiwka L, Wirrel E. Use of complementary and alternative medical therapies in a pediatric neurology clinic. Can J Neurol Sci. 2005 Nov;32(4):524-528

Muir JM, Chiropractic management of a patient with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Chiropr Med 2012 Jan 1; 221-224.

Bastecki AV. Harrison DE, Haas JW. Cervical kyphosis is a possible link to attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2004 Nov 1; 1-4.

Hermansen MS, Miller PJ. The lived experience of mothers of ADHD children undergoing chiropractic care: A qualitative study. Clin Chiropr 2009;16:182-192.

Alcantara J, Ohm J, Kunz K. A practice-based prospective study on the incidence and prevalence of adverse events associated with pediatric chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy. Proceedings of the 2010 ICPA Research Conference: Washington DC. Oct 21-24, 2010:17-8.

Blum CL, Cuthbert SC. Developmental delay syndromes and chiropractic: A case report. J Pediatr Matern & Fam Health 2009 Aug 31; 1-4.

Young A. Chiropractic management of a child With ADD/ADHD. J Vert Sublux Res 2007 Sept 6; 1-3.

Mcreynolds MW. Resolution of tics and reduction in vertebral subluxation in a pediatric patient undergoing chiropractic care: A case report. J Pediatr Matern & Fam Health 2010 Oct 6; 154-158.

Kent C. Models of Vertebral Subluxation: A Review. J of Vertebral Subluxation Res. 1996;1(1):1-7.

Stephenson RW. Chiropractic Textbook. Davenport: Palmer School of Chiropractic; 1927.

To whom it may concern,

I Ryan Scott Bland state that this current paper is my original work and has not been published previously nor is it in consideration by a publication.

Signed,

Ryan Scott Bland

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Nightshades and Solanine Toxicity Syndrome

What do tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, paprika, goji berries, peppers, and tobacco, all have in common? Most people would consider some as health foods; however, most are unaware that they all contain a dangerous neuro-toxin that accumulates in the body called alpha-solanine. All plant foods mentioned are part of the nightshade family consisting of over 2,000 plants!

All nightshade plants contain a toxic alkaloid called alpha-solanine. The content increases towards the leaves and stems. Tomatoes and potatoes contain higher levels when they are unripe and green. Even the ripest nightshade will contain small amounts of this deadly toxin, which can wreak havoc on the body. While many people don’t usually have extreme initial reactions, eventually, a build-up of solanine can present a myriad of symptoms from consuming any nightshade, wreaking havoc on your body.

Alpha Solanine is a glycol-alkaloid poison, found in all nightshades. It acts like a natural pesticide keeping critters away. Small amounts are consumed in a standard American diet, but did you know that if one ingests 50-200mg can lead to death. Solanine is an acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitor, which can alter mitochondria function and increase calcium levels in a cell. This sends the messages to your brain as if you were drowning. In chronic overloads of solanines in one’s diet, calcium is taken from bones causing musculoskeletal conditions, which will make weak bones and will cause osteoporosis. The calcium may also be deposited in the bloodstream leading to atherosclerosis, strokes, heart attacks, etc. Solanine is commonly stored in the thyroid gland as well as all the other organs of the body. In some, this toxicity is a common cause of issues with the thyroid and an essential part of the endocrine system.

The average person consumes about 12 mg of solanine per day, and it takes your body up to 2 months to metabolize half of that. Over time and exposure to these foods can easily cause a toxic overload, and then the symptoms start to reveal themselves. I have discovered many patients of mine who suffer from chronic pain, or prone to chronic injury has this toxicity. Will removing this food return the patient back to a healthy state?

No! Usually, there are other underlying issues, such as different food sensitivities that are causing inflammation and imbalances in the body. Also, dysbiosis, microbes, fungus, bacteria, vitamin deficiencies, etc. can play a massive factor in patient presentation and symptomatology. If a patient who is sensitive to nightshades decides to cut solanines out of their diet entirely, it is possible to have some severe relief of symptoms. Treating each patient as an individual, I never recommend one treatment plan. The best way to find out if you have a nightshade sensitivity is to be checked by a Professional Applied Kinesiologist using specific tests to determine if you have this sensitivity. Monitoring the patient for dysbiosis, heavy metal toxicities, molds, bacterias, etc., is essential to give a specific treatment plan in helping to restore you to your optimal health by reducing the body’s toxic load. With the right diet and supplementation, I find many patients can make a full recovery.  

If you have any questions, please email Dr.RyanBland@gmail.com, or leave a comment below. Call 253-302-3131 or visit www.DrRyanBland.janeapp.com to schedule your appointment today.

-Dr. Ryan Bland is a second-generation Chiropractor and Applied Kinesiologist practicing in Tacoma / Seattle WA. Dr. Bland treats chronically ill patients with fatigue, intestinal issues, depression, autoimmune conditions, etc. The patients he has seen most often seen many other doctors beforehand and can be helped using the unique protocol developed by Michael Lebowitz DC. He also works with professional athletes, actors, dancers, and people from all over the world, working to optimize overall health.  

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Food Sensitivities and Low Thyroid Disorders

TREATING PATIENTS WITH LOW THYROID HORMONES

Millions of prescriptions are written for thyroid conditions in the USA every year. Low thyroid hormone symptoms include feeling tired all the time, feeling cold frequently, constipation, skin disorders, and unexplained weight gain. Mentally it can cause depression, memory loss, brain fog, fertility complications, hair loss, high cholesterol, and other issues. Many have had one or more of the mentioned conditions, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have low thyroid hormone levels. It is important to investigate and treat.

FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND LOW THYROID HORMONES

Many foods can cause thyroid disorders. Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers contain solanine, which is stored in the thyroid gland and can cause a sluggish thyroid. Those with gluten sensitivities can also suffer from hypothyroidism. Food sensitivities will increase inflammation and can trigger an autoimmune response.

TESTING FOR LOW THYROID

There are many ways to test for an underactive thyroid. One way is to take a snapshot of the patient’s physiology by sending them for proper labs. The labs will report on T3 and T4, which are specific markers in the blood that will report the current functioning of the thyroid.

APPLIED KINESIOLOGY

Using Applied Kinesiology to help treat thyroid disorders is very beneficial. It helps the doctor to evaluate what the actual cause of one’s thyroid issue is. The patient can be assessed for many factors, including amino acid and nutrient deficiencies. This will help determine the root cause of your problem and how to treat it in a fast and effective manner.

TREATING HOLISTICALLY

Evaluating the patient by taking a detailed case history and exam is imperative to make sure that you can get to the root cause of the dysfunction. Low function is usually caused by an amino acid deficiency. The thyroid needs the amino acid L-Tyrosine to make thyroid hormones, and it involves the adrenal glands to produce adequate adrenaline. Identifying nutrient deficiencies has helped many patients. Whether it be L-Tyrosine or another Amino Acid or Vitamin supplementing, a nutritional deficiency will make a huge difference in your day to day life. I do specific testing to figure out which supplement is the correct one for each particular patient and then use only medical-grade supplements of the highest quality. Thyroid hormone prescriptions may be needed on some occasions, but if you fix the cause, the symptoms will resolve quickly.

If you have symptoms, it is time to get well!

As always, email me at DrRyanBland@gmail.com or leave a comment below if you have any questions. Call 253-302-3131 or visit www.DrRyanBland.Janeapp.com to schedule your appointment today.Ā 

Dr. Bland

-Dr. Ryan Bland is a second-generation Chiropractor and Applied Kinesiologist practicing in Tacoma / Seattle WA. Dr. Bland treats chronically ill patients with fatigue, intestinal issues, depression, autoimmune conditions, etc. The patients he has seen most often seen many other doctors beforehand and can be helped using a unique protocol developed by Michael Lebowitz DC. He also works with professional athletes, actors, dancers, and people from all over the world, working to optimize overall health.Ā 

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Candida and Fungus

Most people have heard of yeast or candida overgrowth, both of which are types of fungal growths. The common types most people know of are fungal infections, including Athlete’s Foot, Jock Itch, Thrush, Ringworm, or Yeast infections. Due to their outward symptoms, they are reasonably easy to detect. But what about systemic fungal overgrowths that destroy the body without necessarily leaving an outward mark? If someone has been in a building with water damage, taken an antibiotic, been in a sexual relationship, or lived in a moist environment, the chances are that they have a fungal overgrowth.

Many people have fungal and or candida overgrowth, which can cause a plethora of symptoms. In my clinical experience, patients present as those who have one or more of the following: brain fog, sleepiness, ADHD, asthma, depression, leaky gut, food sensitivities, thyroid issues, trouble with weight loss, and yeast infections. Most of the time, patients are having these symptoms that are related to having a systemic fungal overgrowth.

Toxic chemicals from fungal overgrowths cause benzene and acetaldehyde, which are very harmful in the wrong amounts in the human body. These highly poisonous chemicals struggle to get broken down by your liver, overloading the liver. The purpose of the liver is the breakdown and metabolize compounds, and once it is overloaded, the toxicity prevents the body from breaking down the normal toxic load one is exposed to daily. Benzenes that are harmful to humans can collect in the blood, and we need selenium by your body to produce antioxidant enzymes. Once your body is overloaded and used its storage of antioxidants, then benzene toxicity can wreak havoc on their body. This toxicity can cause all kinds of symptoms ranging from anxiety, depression, brain fog, chronic fatigue, migraines, etc.

TREATING THE FUNGUS

Many doctors give selenium and a molybdenum supplement, which acts as an antioxidant and helps daily functioning but does not get to the root of the problem. The same goes for those who use stimulants for energy and sleep aids for those who can’t sleep, or a topical antifungal remedy for ringworm. These remedies are only masking the symptoms giving temporary relief for a chronic condition. Without getting to the root cause, the fungal overgrowth will continue. Identifying the issue and the source is pertinent to find the correct remedies. Patients following a specific plan tailored to their needs will often clear up all of their symptoms while removing the overgrowth and toxic load on their system.

HOW TO TREAT A FUNGAL OVERGROWTH

When treating a fungal overgrowth, a patient needs to be evaluated for other toxicities, including viral, bacterial, protozoa, etc. Besides, people can be experiencing food sensitivities, heavy metal toxicities, etc. that are harming the body. Also, if your loved ones, including your pets, have a fungal overgrowth, they need to get treated at the same time to get optimal results because many microbes can be passed back and forth even with just one kiss. In my office, I use a form of Applied Kinesiology in addition to a thorough examination and lab work to give each patient an individualized treatment plan. Some doctors can take months to try and treat a fungal overgrowth. In my clinic, using the Lebowitz Protocol and checking for all stressors to the body, we can typically get rid of your fungal growth in 2-3 weeks. Most patients notice a dramatic improvement within the first 5-10 days of treatment. By treating any unwanted microbes, removing specific foods, and removing other stressors, one can get back to being better than ever in no time.

HOW TO MINIMIZE YOUR CHANCES

If you are concerned with having a fungal growth, or you have had an issue in the past, there are multiple steps you can take to minimize your chances. When traveling to moist climates or those with high humidity, I usually recommend patients to make a small preventative dose of Morinda Supreme daily. Also, ensure your house is free of mold, minimize refined sweets, and take an herbal antifungal at the same time you take a prescription antibiotic. Be sure that your spouse/partner is also taking the same steps that you are, as previously mentioned.
Email Dr.RyanBland@gmail.com with any questions or leave a comment below. Call 253-302-3131 or visit www.DrRyanBland.janeapp.com to schedule your appointment today.
Dr. Bland
Dr. Ryan Bland is a second-generation Chiropractor and Applied Kinesiologist practicing in Tacoma / Seattle WA. Dr. Bland treats chronically ill patients with fatigue, intestinal issues, depression, autoimmune conditions, etc. The patients he has seen most often seen many other doctors beforehand and can be helped using a unique protocol developed by Michael Lebowitz DC. He also works with professional athletes, actors, dancers, and people from all over the world, working to optimize overall health.
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Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused mostly by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Also, many patients have co-infections, which are known as Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Babesia. When looking at symptoms, they seem to cover virtually everything imaginable. Depending on which of the co-infections, the patient has contracted will determine the myriad of symptoms that can be experienced. Three hundred thousand cases of Lyme disease are reported every year. Many cases are minor, but Lyme disease can be a significant debilitating factor for those who suffer. Patients often have random body pains, gut issues, burning sensations, numbness, tingling, neurological problems that can affect cognition/memory, and neurological ticks. Compare this to patients with Bartonella more often exhibiting anxiety, depression, rashes, heart issues, headaches, and un-resolving heel pain.

Typically those infected have common co-infections. Alongside the infection, many patients have food allergies, viruses, candida overgrowths, heavy metal toxicity, etc.

HOW DO YOU GET LYME DISEASE

Some patients contracted Lyme disease by getting bit by a tick and then developing a bull’s eye rash. Less than 50% of people present with this rash, but many clinicians will argue that about only 20% of their patients develop a rash.

New evidence suggests Lyme can be passed down from one’s mother during pregnancy, through breast milk, sexual intercourse, and even blood transfusions. Some research shows how it can be in animal milk, or even in some meat we eat. It takes over six hundred degrees Fahrenheit to kill these microbes in meat, even if you cook it thoroughly, it can still be in your food. Mosquitoes are well known to transfer Lyme disease to humans after biting an infected deer or other animals. Around 50% of cats are shown to be infected with Bartonella AKA cat scratch fever and can then be passed to their owners or other animals. There are many ways one can get Lyme, and most of the time, the rash is not observed. More and more people realize they have Lyme than ever previously thought.

TESTING FOR LYME DISEASE?

The lab tests are the ELISA or Western Blot to test for Lyme. Since they only check for a minimal number of the strains, they miss up to 60% of Lyme cases, according to Johns Hopkins. One of the best tests to consider is IgeneX, but even this test may miss some. Usually, there are many false negatives involved with Lyme, and Doctors typically put the patient on a high dose of antibiotics to kill the infections. However, most of the time, patients are left discouraged as antibiotics due little to nothing to help the patient feel better or address the root of the infections and toxicities present

HOW TO TREAT PATIENTS WITH LYME

If a tick just bit you, save it and go straight to your MD, especially if you have any rash. Aside from that, here is what I recommend. Lyme can switch between different forms, each needs to be treated in different ways and they can also communicate with each other!

I never recommend a single-treatment plan for all; in some cases, you can make educated treatment suggestions. Usually, a thorough exam and testing are needed. With Lyme being able to change forms, the body goes through periods where you can feel fine, and then out of nowhere, symptoms can come back with a vengeance.

Many Lyme clinics, unfortunately, only treat Lyme and ignore other co-infections and or health issues that Lyme patients most often have. Most Lyme patients present to also have a fungal/candida overgrowth or heavy metal toxicities. An increase in the total toxic load on the body will make it difficult to treat the patient. Biofilms, which are the waste of the bacterial breakdown from the Lyme and other co-infections, gets stored deep within organs, muscle, and neurological tissue. Treating for biofilms can play a crucial role in recovery from Lyme disease.

Dietary restrictions can play a huge role in treating Lyme, and its co-infections. I find that a lot of healing can come from removing any possible food sensitivities. This will help decrease inflammation and increase healing in the body. By removing irritants, patients start to lighten their toxic load, and the body is now able to do its job and heal. In some, this involves temporarily going on an extremely low-fat diet to allow the body to eliminate harmful biofilms.

When treating Lyme, there are many variables because co-infections are so common. Managing Lyme can be much more complicated than normal illnesses. If you or a loved one has Lyme, it can be challenging and confusing. Treatment can change rapidly due to different forms of the Lyme and its co-infections. An Applied Kinesiologist (AK) who is specially trained to help diagnose and treat Lyme can be one of the most advantageous things you can do for this disease. An AK physician can help identify what microbes, food allergies, and heavy metals are, making the patient’s symptoms even worse. Doctors that use AK are some
of the most qualified to determine treatment plans for those who have Lyme. It’s been found that many Lyme patients have so many stressors on the body that they can’t handle many supplements due to the fillers and other unnecessary ingredients in products. In my clinic, I only use the highest grade of medicinal supplements and herbs. Taking supplements can be one of the most effective ways to treat Lyme, but taking the wrong supplement or the right supplement with the improper additives can make you worse than when you began. Because of this, many Lyme regimes often get minimal results, especially without using Applied Kinesiology.

In conclusion, Lyme and its co-infections can be intimidating and confusing to deal with. However, I have seen patients make full recoveries. If you or a loved one is suffering from Lyme, please reach out to me to see how I can help facilitate and accelerate your healing process.

Please email me atĀ DrRyanBland@gmail.com or leave a comment below if you have any questions. Call 253-302-3131 or visit www.DrRyanBland.janeapp.com to schedule your appointment today.

– Dr. Bland

Dr. Ryan Bland is a second-generation Chiropractor and Applied Kinesiologist practicing in Tacoma / Seattle WA. Dr. Bland treats chronically ill patients with fatigue, intestinal issues, depression, autoimmune conditions, etc. The patients he has seen most often seen many other doctors beforehand and can be helped using a unique protocol developed by Michael Lebowitz DC. He also works with professional athletes, actors, dancers, and people from all over the world, working to optimize overall health.

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What is Back Pain?

85% of the population will experience debilitating back pain in their lives. I have seen many patients diagnose themselves with sciatica, which is a fancy term for back pain that can radiate into one limb or both.

The truth is back pain can present itself from an overload of stressors from thoughts, toxins, or traumas. Most people like to brush off aches and pains, not realizing that pain is an abnormal response to an unnatural environment coming from within or outside of the body. It can be a minor pain that seems to slow you down to a severe and debilitating injury.

Back pain happens to be one of the most common reasons a person will go to a doctor and one of the most common reasons people miss work. Our spinal health can keep us from the activities and people we love. I welcome anyone interested to come in for a free consultation to evaluate their condition. I also encourage everyone to take preventive measures to keep and build a healthy foundation, so their bodies are functioning at optimal health.

The truth is some patients know what caused their back pain, and sometimes it remains a mystery. Many stressors can cause back pain, and each patient needs a care plan tailored specifically to their needs to ensure a speedy recovery.

COMMON CAUSES

Back pain is caused by muscle inhibition, poor biomechanics, major traumas, as well as repetitive stress injuries. Muscles react from messages sent by the nervous system, and their tone is the expression of our life. Traumas, including mental, chemical, or physical, can affect specific muscles or groups of muscles that will not receive the proper information from functioning as they should. Muscles under stress often turn off to help protect the tissue from tearing or avulsing from the bone from further injury. After a while, the body compensates, and some muscles become weak, and others get tight or hypertonic. If your muscles aren’t working correctly, they can pull on the bones, causing a bone to go out of alignment, chiropractors call this a subluxation.

A subluxation is when a bone goes out of place, causing aberrant neurological functioning. Therefore wrong information is coming in out of the nervous system, causing an imbalance that with continue to get worse if not addressed correctly. The nervous system sends information to muscles and organs and can cause chemical imbalances in the body.

Did you know the nervous system is the only system in the body totally encased by bone? The spine protects the nervous system giving the nerves a highway to conduct every process in the body like a supercomputer. All it takes is a few grams of pressure to decrease nervous system communication by up to 60%. All imbalances in the body can lead to pain, weakness, inflammation, and chronic subluxations/misalignments. Once subluxated, the nerves stop sending the correct information, and the nerves start to misfire like lousy spark plugs in an engine. I test all of my patient’s muscles and fix those that are not working correctly, as well as making gentle corrections for proper biomechanics of the spine.

FOOD ALLERGIES AND BACK PAIN

An overlooked aspect of back pain is inflammation in the body and how this inflammation can change the physiology of a spinal unit, causing it to go out of place. Research shows nightshades cause inflammation in many people, and have proved to be a significant cause of chronic pain and reinjury. Another aspect to deeply consider is other food sensitivities such as wheat, corn, eggs, caffeine, chocolate, etc. Research shows that in some people, they can be common causes of musculoskeletal pain, or it could be adding to the inflammation and pain of a current condition.

DYSBIOSIS AND BACK PAIN

When one has an imbalance of microbes in the body, they will experience dysbiosis or disorganization of the gut and intestines. It is not long until this imbalance can cause severe inflammation that can easily irritate already weak tissues in the lower. Inflammation usually shows up wherever a person’s “weakest link” is. Pain often goes away by restoring flora and/or removing foods one is sensitive to using Applied Kinesiology.

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS AND BACK PAIN

Heavy Metals and environmental toxins like air pollution, pesticides, and others increase the toxic load on one’s body. This can increase inflammation, cause debilitating severe back pain, and improving one’s risk of developing a new injury.

NSAID RELIEF AND BACK PAIN

Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like Aspirin and Ibuprofen commonly are taken for pain. They work by blocking all the prostaglandins the body makes. There are inflammatory and anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. We optimally want to body to have little to no inflammation. NSAIDs block pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and signals, which reduce pain. However, by taking these drugs, you are also blocking the anti-inflammatory prostaglandins that help reduce inflammation. So while they may help mask the pain, the patient will increase overall inflammation levels. Thus making symptoms worse, last longer, or expose the body to a new injury.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we experience so many different layers of stress that are comprised of thoughts, traumas, and toxins. These stressors can cause back pain, which can cause injury and inflammation in the body to get worse. Being evaluated for muscular imbalances and subluxations is a necessary catalyst to return to optimal health.

If you are looking for great results, you want to choose a Doctor that uses muscle testing to evaluate your body. It is imperative to find a doctor who is going to treat you as a whole. To ensure a full recovery, we must get to the root causes of an injury. I evaluate all patients for food sensitivities, dysbiosis, and environmental toxins to maintain an injury-free lifestyle. The most common and successful anti-microbials used in my clinical experience are Golden Thread, Morinda, and Melia Supreme. Also, for detox Takesumi Supreme is a great product. Other products, such as selenium or alpha-lipoic acid, can be imperative to help those who have deficiencies heal from their back injuries as well. These supplements help support a necessary environment for the body to heal alongside chiropractic treatments. Changing one’s diet and trying the above supplements will work for some, however, I don’t recommend one approach for all, as we are all biochemical individuals. That’s why getting evaluated for all potential aspects mentioned above is critical.

Please feel free to email me atĀ DrRyanBland@gmail.com or comment below with any questions you may have. Call 253-302-3131 or visit www.DrRyanBland.janeapp.com to schedule your appointment today!

Dr. Bland

Dr. Ryan Bland is a second-generation Chiropractor and Applied Kinesiologist practicing in Tacoma / Seattle WA. Dr. Bland treats chronically ill patients with fatigue, intestinal issues, depression, autoimmune conditions, etc. The patients he has seen most often seen many other doctors beforehand and can be helped using the unique protocol developed by Michael Lebowitz DC. He also works with professional athletes, actors, dancers, and people from all over the world, working to optimize overall health.

 

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How to Treat a Moldy House? Living in the Pacific North West

A fungal infection from mold exposure can cause serious health issues. It is typical for me to see and identify patients dealing with toxic exposure to different kinds of molds. When toxins overload the human body’s natural defense system, it is common to see weight gain, a cough that won’t go away, or others will present with issues concerning digestion. In some people with concurrent conditions, this can cause a chronic illness to persist and in many times, get worse. One common question asked is, do I have mold in my house, or is the air in my home clean? Now we must follow up with how to reduce the exposure in all of our homes.

Mold and fungus grow in a dark, warm, humid environment and the human body is a perfect place for molds and fungi to infect. The difference between Fungus and Mold is that the fungus is a kingdom of organisms, and mold is a diverse group of fungi. However, many homes in moist environments like the Pacific Northwest (PNW) can have an excess of mold and fungi. In my experience, mold issues in houses occur more commonly than we think and can affect people all over the world.

MANY GET SICK AFTER MOVING INTO A MOLDY HOME

One patient came to me this fall with complications consisting of gaining 10 pounds as well as feeling tired mentally and physically all the time. After taking a full exam and case history, I discovered that the symptoms started after moving to a new house. Based on the initial exam and Applied Kinesiology testing, a candida/fungal issue appeared to be present. The patient followed a custom program designed specifically to help with the fungal issue to maximize their body’s healing potential. I also recommended an essential oil diffuser containing tea tree oil and cedarwood (both are anti-fungal). Two weeks later, on our follow-up visit, their energy was the best it had been in a year. Also, the patient dropped 10 pounds after following a protocol I specifically designed for the patient. Unknown to me, the patient and their child had developed a chronic cough and asthma since moving into the new home. The patient remarked that the children’s cough went away the first night the diffuser was used. Two days later, the patient was feeling so good they forgot to turn the diffusers on in their house, and the coughing came back. The next day the patient turned the diffuser back on, and the cough went away again. I find that the use of essential oils is critical in helping disinfect the air in a moldy home.

It’s quite simple to help someone struggling with a fungal issue, as impossible as it may seem. Being a second-generation Applied Kinesiologist, I have seen people reach full recovery for 30+ years. Every patient gets a tailored plan of supplements and dietary instructions, as no one person is the same.

Improvements happen quite rapidly and usually occur in 2-4 weeks so you can go back to living your best life. It is essential to be careful; one isn’t being exposed to the molds and to do one’s best to avoid and eradicate the mold in your environment. These sources can include one’s spouse, their home, place of work, or any other place they spend much time.

CHECKING FOR MOLD IN YOUR HOME

In most cases, the mold is not visible and almost impossible to identify. Sometimes you can see the mold growing, and severe remediation is needed. Most times, these issues in one’s home are very treatable. An ERMI test can be used to determine if your house is at toxic levels. For people who I suspect mold in their home, I have them bring in air samples so we can assess it. There are also some laboratory tests where patients can send air samples to see how much mold is present. Not everyone responds the same to mold, some people who live in a moldy house may feel great while someone else may feel awful with low levels. Sometimes it is essential to run lab tests to determine the source of the exposure.

REASONS YOU MAY HAVE MOLD

– You can see it.
– You have had water leaks.
– You can smell a musty smell that will not go away
– You feel better when you are away.

We all feel better when leaving for a vacation! When some patients are away from their moldy homes, their symptoms start to go away because they are not being exposed to the toxin. Little do they know they still have a severe fungal infection growing inside that needs to be treated. Once the disease process starts, it is already increasing and often won’t go away on its own. If you’re exposed to mold you can have symptoms that you cannot figure out why you feel so lousy all the time.

HOW TO FIX A MOLDY HOUSE

Time to get to work! You must clean it properly. In most cases, I suggest hiring a professional as the patient should avoid exposure.
– If you must, I recommend to wear serious protection and start to wipe the mold off with a mix of water, tea tree, and cedarwood oils which have anti-fungal properties. One can also do a combination of water with borax.
– Rent an Ozonator. Ozone gas can kill mold that it can reach. If the mold is too deep, you might be out of luck.
– Turn on the Ozonator for 8-12 hours. Come back and turn it off and open all the windows and doors to help ventilate the house.
– Repeat 2-3 times. Let the house air out.
– Essential oil diffusers in their bedroom and any rooms, we identified as moldy.

Not all moldy houses can be treated. Sometimes a change in location is necessary for the resolution of the infection.

In mild cases, one’s bed and pillows/bedding need to be checked and changed if necessary. A mattress can quickly gain 7 pounds from mold growth in the first year of use, and it can be multiplied in a moldy house. I recommend patients to clean their carpets with a steam cleaner and deeply clean clothes and linens. I almost always recommend the patient get new pillows when mold and fungus toxicity is present.

HOW TO TREAT A FUNGAL INFECTION

After treating the exposure of mold, other things need to be done. In addition to making sure one’s furniture, clothing, pillows, etc. aren’t moldy, it is crucial you and your significant other need to be treated also. Leaving or fixing your environment doesn’t get rid of the mold growing inside you. If your loved ones are not experiencing symptoms, it is still essential to be evaluated and treated as they can be carriers of mold. A french kiss can transfer up to eight million types of bacteria. Your nuclear family needs to be also treated, so you don’t pass microbes back and forth. This can also apply to pets that we love who lick us.

Moldy houses can cause fungal and candida overgrowth in the body, creating a plethora of health issues. Weight gain, depression, anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, and many other symptoms can all be linked to fungal overgrowth. Treating the patient doesn’t have to take long if you ensure you aren’t being exposed to more while being treated. Doing one and not the other won’t achieve optimal results.

Living in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Seattle, Olympia, Portland, the Pacific Northwest, or anywhere on the planet doesn’t mean you have to suffer from fungal infection symptoms. You can live healthy and symptom-free if careful. That means being vigilant in one’s home. If a leak ever occurs, stopping it immediately and treating it as if a mold issue has occurred is vital. Don’t assume it is nothing; use all protective measures possible. There is no reason one cannot get rid of mold or fungal issues living in the beautiful PNW.

Dr. Bland

-Dr. Ryan Bland is a second-generation Chiropractor and Applied Kinesiologist practicing in Tacoma / Seattle WA. Dr. Bland treats chronically ill patients with fatigue, intestinal issues, depression, autoimmune conditions, etc. The patients he has seen most often seen many other doctors beforehand and can be helped using the unique protocol developed by Michael Lebowitz DC. He also works with professional athletes, actors, dancers, and people from all over the world, working to optimize overall health.