Northgate Chiropractic

Our Patient's Speak - Jesika =)

2012-02-03T14:16:00.000-08:00

"This guy is a miracle worker. I came in after messing up my neck in a fall to the top of my head while snowboarding. He got me back on the mountain, not only without pain and with full range of motion back, but I had more energy and I was breathing better than I had in years. I'm hooked!!"

~Jessica 1/31/12

Smile Now =)

2011-12-21T16:40:00.000-08:00

Some of our favorite patients: existing and new =)

2011-12-21T10:18:00.000-08:00

Feeling bent like a candy cane this holiday season?

Come on in!

We can help!

We will be open regular hours including all day Friday and Saturday morning.

:)

Pregnant and Missing an "Adjustment" in Your Life?

2011-12-07T15:04:00.000-08:00

Hello all!

So it seems this holiday season has been the time for families and even more exciting: NEW ADDITIONS to families! We have seen many new little ones pop up this season and it reminded me that Chiropractic care can help move along all processes of pregnancy!

I have been researching the benefits and have found a plethora of useful info.

Here are just a few of the them:

There are millions of hormonal and chemical changes that occur in the body; especially when pregnant. This is often one of the most vital times of both the mother and infant.

Regular chiropractic care during pregnancy has been proven to be an effective means of maintaining the normal physiolofical functions of the mother as well as the baby. The pregnancy can become much more comfortable before, during, and after delivery.

Chiropractic techniques stimulate the nervous system and enables proper functioning of organs, thus supporting needs of the baby throughout the terms.

For The Expectant Mother:

Removes ligament tension and reduces torsion to the uterus.
Creates a state of balance in pelvic bony structures, muscles & ligaments.
Allows a safer, easier birth for the mother by decreasing the potential for intervention.

For Infants

Allows for better baby development by removing interference to mother’s nerve system
Offers baby more room to develop without restrictions to it’s forming skeletal structures such as the cranium and spine.
Provides the baby with the best possible position for birth.

It's amazing the benefits I would have never thought were possible for our patients who are expecting. I am glad we are able to help them all and congrats Stephanie! =)

Week One; On the verge of something great...

2011-11-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

Hello Seattle!

My name is Kira Inglis and I am the new receptionist at Northgate Chiropractic. This is my first week and WOW, what a whirlwind of information it has been. And not the kind that goes in one ear and out the other.

I am discovering new things about body functions, symptoms of potentially life-threatening diseases, as well as proper ways to take care of myself and well-being. And not through articles and heresay: it’s through a legitimate Doc. It’s actually very relieving to talk on- on-one with an actual professional and see what I can do to help myself.

I am not going to lie- I had no idea what chiropractic could do for me or for anyone. You drive by so many businesses and see all sorts of practices and signs for local chiropractors but who actually knows what they do?

You will never know until you go. Period.

The shocking thing is that chiropractic help can start as early 3 months old! But on average, people don’t realize the benefits until it’s too late. Ugh. (I’m 24 and already cracking my back!).

But I’m not a preacher (not ever will be!) and I know some things are better learned through experience. So I encourage you to look into it.

QUICK FACTS:
Big Reasons to see a Chiropractor:

Car accidents
Sports injuries
Any back pain!
Banana peel you slipped on
Bad mattress/pillow arrangement
Headaches
Numbness/Pins & Needles!
Any form of insurance that already covers it =) (might as well get your back checked right?)

And as the first week of my new job ends I would have to say that I have learned a lot more than any of my college courses have taught me in 7 days. Haha. Or maybe because I actually understand and see the worth in what I am learning about (relieving pain VS rocks for jocks…..)

Well that’s all for today. I hope everybody had a great Wednesday!

-Kira

"Our Patients Speak"

2011-11-02T14:26:00.000-07:00

I had totally unexpected back pain on a Monday morning after an intense workout one weekend that had me stuck in bed and unable to go to work. After two quick visits with Dr. Steve I was back at work and by the end of the week I was totally functional again. What I so appreciated was Dr. Steve’s empathy and genuine concern for my quick recovery, so much so that he extended hours once to ensure I was taken care of and didn't have to miss more work.

Thank thank thank you to Dr. Steve

~Britta
10/29/11

“Our Patients” Speak - Nick S.

2011-01-07T11:02:00.002-08:00

“Our Patients” Speak

So I went and saw Dr. Stephen Lachuta after I had a accident with a Elk. Not only did he make me feel better with my back, he helped with my migraines and made the 6'4" a little taller.

He is one of the most amazing Chiropractors in Seattle.

Nick S.
12/29/2010
(Via Yelp)

"Our Patients" Speak - Jen W.

2011-01-07T11:02:00.001-08:00

“Our Patients” Speak

After having two babies 15 months apart, I started having severe back pain. Lugging them both around, along with the diaper bag and infant carrier finally took a good toll on my back. I was in constant pain and I was having a hard time getting down to play with my boys. At one point, I even got stuck on the floor. My back was so torqued that I couldn't get up!

I made an appointment with Dr. Steve. At this point, the pain was nauseating and was really distracting me from work, sleep, all that necessary stuff! My mobility was minimal and even driving was difficult because of the stiffness.

I noticed a difference after my first visit. He made an adjustment and I could literally feel the pain release from my spine. After a just a few visits, I was feeling good again.

I highly recommend this guy! He knows what he's doing, your pain and issues are important to him and he's just a nice guy. Thanks, Dr. Steve!

Jen W.
1/3/2001
(Via Yelp)

Best Holiday Card of 2011!!!!

2011-01-03T10:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Dr. Steve,

Without you I would not be able to do my job and would be in pain all the time.

All the best,
~R.P.

Phase 1 of the remodel COMPLETE

2010-12-20T14:32:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, we recently got new carpet in the office in an effort to modernize and improve the overall experience at Northgate Chiropractic. Soon we will be completing phase 2 which is a complete repainting of the office which hope to do shortly after xmas. Phase 3 - once the office has been repainted then we will be bringing some fantastic paintings by an amazing local artist. At which time we will be holding an open house / artist reception.

So look forward to some AWESOME new changes at Northgate Chiropractic.
Happy holidays!!!
~Dr. Steve Lachuta

Our Patients Speak

2010-12-20T13:38:00.001-08:00

12/17/2010
I am generally terrified of Chiropractors. I usually opt for Massage therapy or acupuncture. My past experience with a very aggressive chiropractor in Bellevue made me scared of them all, until I went to Dr. Steve.

His gentle and methodical approach to getting my back and neck into shape has really made a difference in my daily life. I am not fearful that he will be too aggressive with my treatment, and cause any new problems.

I was in a recent accident breaking my jaw in two places, and also had an old back injury that was never quite treated causing my back to become quite stiff and painful at times.

After 2 weeks of treatments, I've already noticed an increase in flexibility and ease of movement. In the morning my back is not as stiff as it once was. I will continue to see him, until I'm back in shape with my back and neck.

His modest office is conveniently located in Northgate with free parking just a few steps from his door.

I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Steve to anyone needing chiropractic work.
Andie

Our Patients Speak

2010-11-15T11:07:00.000-08:00

11/7/2010
5 star rating

Wow!!! I had my first adjustment here yesterday and that adjustment inspired me to write my first review on Yelp. As a victim of three rear-ended accidents since 2005 (ahhh..luck), I felt at my worst after the last accident, I went to see four other chiropractors before I found Dr. Steve. Dr. Steve is the best! (coming from someone who learned this the hard way.) I tried it all, physical therapy, massage therapy, and even other chiropractors (atlas adjustment and etc.) I am not a good writer. However, I can tell you that Dr. Steve knows what he is doing. That being said, some of the other chiropractors that I had seen before know what they are doing too but rarely did they spend time trying to fix you up in one visit like Dr. Steve. He's kind of amazing really!!! I haven't felt this good in a while. Now I totally understand other reviewers on Yelp and why they gave Dr. Steve such good reviews.

Thanks to Dr. Steve and other reviewers, you guys changed my life. I am now in a much better shape and from just one visit (AMAzIng!!!!)

Jenny T. (via YELP)
Seattle, WA

“Our Patients Speak”

2010-10-16T10:36:00.001-07:00

“Our Patients Speak”

I went to Dr. Steve through a friends recommendation shortly after being involved in a heinous bike accident. When I came to him, I was in constant debilitating pain, I could barely move, and I wasn't sleeping or getting much rest otherwise. I felt immediate relief after my first visit, and credit the care I received at Northgate Chiropractic with my impressively fast healing. I've found Dr. Steve to be present, thorough and effective every time, and he is hands down the best of the 4 Chiropractors I have seen in my life. He's also a pretty fun guy to talk to and has an exceptionally reasonable cash rate plan for po folk like me who don't have insurance.

One star reserved for the 2 hours of bus commuting required for me to see him - but he's been way worth it.

Courtnee P.
9/28/2010

Office News

2010-09-29T16:06:00.000-07:00

Please join me in welcoming Serrana Melgar to Northgate Chiropractic as our new Office Assistant. Serrana brings with her years of experience in office administration in the alternative medicine field, as well as a belief in including chiropractic care as part of living a healthy lifestyle. We are fortunate that she is also able to share her bilingual skills in Spanish/English to help serve our patients. She looks forward to the opportunity to serve you so please do not hesitate to give us a call!

"Our Patients Speak"

2010-07-21T10:32:00.001-07:00

I first came to Northgate Chiropractic on May 18th, 2010. I was having lower back pain that was making me feel about 60 years older than I am. It was a slow build up of sharper and shaper pains. Lifting and bending at work was nearly impossible. I had to lean on the help of others more and more for about the last two months.

My friends recommended I try chiropractic, this was my very first time seeing a chiropractor. I’d heard of and met Dr. Steve prior to my visit through my friends Mallory and Ryan. Dr. Steve was very easy to talk to and my usual anxiety in being in a new situation was very minimal.

My life since chiropractic care has been great!!! I can touch my toes again! I can bend and not be in pain. I don’t feel like a porcelain doll or an 80 year old woman. I began to see results right away with chiropractic. I feel like myself again and not like I’m getting too old too fast.

The staff is wonderful and personable. It would be great if it was like that everywhere.
Dr. Steve is wonderful. I praise him to friends and family on a regular basis.

Katrina K.
06/15/2010

Once You Go...

2010-06-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

...You always have to go. This is one of the many roadblocks and complaints that I hear when I talk to people about chiropractors. But I approach it in many different ways. There have been many times that I have been injured in my life, some injuries have been worse than others, but I have always relied on my chiropractor to get me back to pre-injury status. So then Dr. Lachuta, why did you continue to go? Well the answer is very simple. I continued to receive regular chiropractic adjustments approximately 1-2 times per week. I have pain occasionally, but I want my nervous system to be at its optimum ability. Yes, Chiropractic does help people with neck, back pain and headaches. Dorland’s dictionary describes health as “optimum physical mental and spiritual well-being and not merely the absence of disease of infirmity.” Just being out of pain does not make you healthy. 100% function in your nervous system going to your entire body and everything it controls. I have heard many times that “In a recent physical, he was given a clean bill of health by his Doctor.” Then how did he just over night have a heart attack and die. Was it in that last step that he got a “heart condition?”

Your current or lack of health is the accumulation of how good or bad you have lived your life. As my father always says” if I would of known that I was going to live this long I would of taken a lot better care of my self.” Health comes from within and requires optimum expression of the entire nervous system. I have often asked this person what type of work they did. One person said that he was a mechanic and worked on Ford cars. I asked him how often he tuned up his own car. He stated, “Well, every 3,000 miles.” I said, “Well, Bill, why would you take less care of your own body?” He said, “I completely under stand.”

Another patient was a grade school teacher; I asked her how often should a student study for a test? She said, “Well, consistently and on a regular basis for all the quizzes and exams.” I asked her how one of her students would do on the final exam if she/he only studied the night before the test? She said that the student would fail the test. I then asked her how I was going to fix all the car payments, mortgages and daily stresses in her life by one adjustment? The teacher realized that health is something that you cannot get over night. You must continually keep yourself healthy on a daily basis: by eating the proper foods, regular exercise, getting enough sleep, mediating, stress management and getting chiropractic adjustments. Just imagine not tuning up your car until 40,000 miles, eating junk food all your life or never exercising until the age of forty, but then trying to get healthy over night. Yes, it is true that once you go to a chiropractor, you always should go. It is a major part of you and your family’s health that needs to be maintained on a regular basis.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Add Years to Your :Life and Life to Your Years

2010-06-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

I have always said that you should begin chiropractic adjustments at birth and continue throughout your entire life. Richard is Eighty-Two years old and continues to receive his chiropractic adjustments. Just as everyone in your family should receive adjustments, you should also bring in your grandparents. With medication use on the rise with the elderly, it is especially important that these people receive adjustments. The average grandma and grandpa are on approximately seven to eight different medications, each one to treat the side effect of the other.

Chiropractic is the essential ingredient to a healthier, more productive and longer life. Research shows that the smallest amount of pressure on a nerve from a subluxation will take away the functions of any organ, tissue or blood vessel that it controls. Chiropractic care should be on a maintenance visit level for their entire life. Colonel Sanders received his adjustments every week for the last Sixty-Five years of his life (He lived into his mid 90’s). Here are what some of the studies have showed how chiropractic care added years to our grandparent lives and life to their years.

A detailed analysis of a database collected during a three-year randomized study of senior citizens over 75 years of age and chiropractic care revealed that they received the following: better overall health, used fewer prescription drugs, and spent fewer days in hospitals and nursing homes than elderly non-chiropractic patients. The chiropractic patients were also more likely to exercise vigorously and more likely to be mobile in the community.

Eighty-seven percent of the chiropractic patients described their health status as good to excellent, compared to only sixty seven percent of the non-chiropractic patients.

Furthermore, the chiropractic patients spent fifteen percent less time in nursing homes and twenty one percent less time in hospitals than the non-chiropractic patients.

A retrospective assessment of 2,818 respondents in 156 chiropractic practices found a strong connection between persons receiving Chiropractic Care and self- reported improvement in health, wellness, and quality of life.

Ninety-five percent of the respondents reported their chiropractic expectations had been met, and ninety nine percent wished to continue care.

Now matter how much arthritis, degeneration you have, chiropractic is the only profession that will detect and correct interference in your nervous system. A healthy nervous system is the key to a longer and healthier life. It is my wish that through chiropractic care you will be able to unlock your fountain of youth.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

"Our Patients Speak"

2010-05-31T15:23:00.000-07:00

"Being pregnant with my first child my midwives told me to find a good Chiropractor. I instantly thought of Dr. Steve.

Today was my first visit, the office is remarkably comfortable and calming. Dr. Steve patiently explained the process to me and made both my husband and I feel very comfortable.

After todays adjustment I am feeling alot more comfortable and I look forward to my next visit."

"I went in today really feeling nauseous (I'm four months pregnant) and a little stressed from traffic. I immediately felt calmer walking in the door. The office is an oasis. Both Dr. Steve and the fantastically friendly receptionist were smiling and really kind.
Walking out I was smiling and feeling alot better. The office was full of happy clients, which says something by itself!
This is an awesome place to go, I wont trust anyone else with my spine but Dr. Steve and I will be recommending him to friends and family, as well as all the women (families) at my birth center."

~Tristen W.

"I lived in the seattle area for a while and finally found a chiropractor thru word of mouth...

DR. STEVE to the rescue! He got me fixed up and back on my feet in no time. I never made any appts and he was happy to fit me in whenever i needed an adjustment. It was nice not having to wait when i was in pain. I also had tummy issues which he was able to correct as well - which made a huge difference in my life. Me and my husband moved over to the tricities and i have yet to find a chiropractor that i feel comfortable with as i did with dr. steve or who asks if i have any other discomforts going on.

Thank you !!!!!"

~Hannah W.

"Dr. Steve is in!
He is in every way wonderful! He really cares. He listens to you. He is without a doubt the best in his profession.
I went to see him today for a horrible headache I had for the last couple of days. He made room for me all the while not making me feel like an inconvenience to his schedule. But then it wasn't a surprise, he has always done what he can to get you in.
After he adjusted me almost instantly I felt relief. Mind you the entire headache wasn't gone but WOW, what a difference! And a bonus, all of a sudden my sinus' were clear, that wasn't part of the treatment plan (i didn't mention it to him, I didn't think that it was a Chiropractic thing) but I'll take the bonus! Oh and by the way, the entire headache was gone by the time i got home (about a 30 minute drive) and was finally able to get on with life, instead laying in bed, in the dark.
That was only one of the fabulous treatments I have received from Dr. Steve, and I have never been disappointed. I have always walked out there better then i came it, much better.
I have so much confidence in Dr. Steve that my daughter, and husband sees him. I also took my mom to see him when her hip was giving her problems last summer when she came into town for a visit.
Well I could go on, I just can't express enough how much Dr. Steve has helped me. I hope you give him a try, I have no doubt you will be surprise what he can do for you."

~Tracey J.

Sugar-Free And Spice... And Everything Nice

2010-05-26T11:15:00.000-07:00

Sugar-Free and Spice and everything nice that’s what little boys and girls are made of. This saying sounds a little bit off, but it is very true in today’s world. When I review an average kids’ diet in my office, it’s terrible. The average kid eats fruit rollups, 1-2 Mountain Dews a day and has a sugar cereal/pop tart for breakfast. Did you know that one can of Mountain Dew (or any other cola) has 17 teaspoons of sugar in it? You wonder why kids are so hyper today. They are consuming massive amounts of sugar on a daily basis. I cannot imagine what all that sugar will do for the up-down insulin levels through all the growing years. Research has shown that sugar will weaken the immune system, which means the kids will get sick more often.

Have you ever looked at the ingredients on a box of cereal? Usually the most popular cereals have either the first and or second ingredient as sugar. Ethan’s cereal isn’t called Buzz Blasts or Lucky Charms; it is a high fiber and protein combination. Little does Buckaroo know that I just empty the Buzz Blast Cereal out and put the “healthy” cereal (from the Health food section at Kroger’s) in the box. Only when he is older, will he figure this out. By that time it will be such a part of his healthy lifestyle that it really won’t matter to him.

Do this sugar test: give your child what he normally eats that has sugar in it and watch what happens. Within 20 minutes, his/her energy will increase and a mood change will occur. Also in the mid afternoon, they will become very sleepy and crave something with sugar in it.

I have a story to tell that will hit home with a lot of you. Several months ago, we received a call from Ethan’s teacher, saying that he had been misbehaving in school. After talking with her, I asked her what he had been eating. She stated that it had been one of his classmates birthday and the parents brought in some cake. I informed her that Ethan is not allowed to eat sugar because it makes him extremely hyper and very aggressive. My wife proceeded to bring healthy snacks and high protein bars for him to eat on those “celebration” days. It has been about 4 months now and we haven’t had a complaint since. But what about juice? Ethan only drinks Northland 100% Juice or something that we have juiced ourselves. Most juices are made of sugar. My best advice is to look on the ingredients and make sure that if you do feed them something that contains sugar, that it’s at least the 3rd or 4th ingredient. Ethan knows that when he eats sugar, it is not healthy or good for him. If he eats sugar, it changes and alters his personality (aggressive, emotional and doesn’t listen), sleeping patterns and digestive habits. We decided that our household would be a sugar free zone. It has made a big difference on his disposition and the family atmosphere.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(209) 367-2224.

A Chiropractor To Keep The Headaches Away? Yes!

2010-05-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

This picture sounds all too familiar: Mom is upstairs because she has a migraine headache. Her door is closed, the lights are off and we have to be “really quiet.” Hopefully the shot (Immetrex) worked and she’ll be “all better” in the morning. I also here people say, “I just get a couple of ‘normal’ headaches a week.”

No headache is “normal;” rather it is a symptom of some underlying problem. Occasionally, this problem is easy to trace, such as alcohol or allergies. However, headaches are usually a warning sign of a more serious health condition. Each day, 5-10 million adults in the United States use an over-the-counter medication in hopes that it will cure their headache. Some get temporary relief…some do not. While pain killers like aspirin can cover up symptoms by blocking the pain, but they don’t tackle the real problem. If you have tried to “cure” your headaches with painkillers, you know how fruitless that approach is in the long run. The headaches keep coming back, and drugs alleviate the pain, for now, without doing anything to correct the underlying problem. Any pain, including headaches, is your body’s way of warning you that something needs immediate attention.

A Chiropractor will examine your spine and nervous system and ask questions to find out the cause of your headache. There are over 200 different types of headaches. Stress headaches are most common in ages 30-39 with 47% of females suffering from these. By finding out why you are getting headaches, your chiropractor can help correct or eliminate the causes.

Have you ever had just one of those days? Were your neck was so tight it was difficult to move and you could not turn your head and look to back out the car? These dull steady headaches from tight muscles in the neck, back and head are usually the result of stress. These steady muscle contractions use up oxygen and irritate the muscles causing pain. Most types of headaches, including migraine, respond very well to chiropractic care. A research study revealed in the Chiropractic Journal that 74.6% of patients with recurring headaches, including migraines, were either cured or experienced reduced headache symptoms after receiving chiropractic adjustments. The reason is simple: the chiropractor locates and, if possible, corrects the cause of the headache.

What causes headaches? Most headaches result from spinal subluxations; in other words, malfunctioning vertebrate. These subluxations cause irritation of the delicate nerves and arteries that supply the head and face area, causing pain. Subluxations are caused from traumas (automobile accidents; slips and falls); stress (family, work or emotional); or chemicals (alcohol, drugs and NutraSweet). The chiropractor’s “adjustment” keeps the body free of nerve interference and allows normal flow. This allows the body to use its own inherent healing ability to maintain an optimum state of health.

You and your family have nothing to lose except for the possibility health and happiness.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Be Safe When You Lift

2010-05-17T14:40:00.000-07:00

You can take lifting in stride if you know how to protect your back. Lifting right involves a few simple steps. Above all, remember to rely on your strong legs, not your back. You can adapt safe lifting principles when you’re faced with a difficult lift - like a heavy or awkward load.

LIFTING & MOVING ON THE RUN
• Take Lifting in Stride
• Learn All the Right Moves
• READY, SET, GO Approach

LIFTING RIGHT
• READY - Learn the Steps
• SET-Do a Deep Squat
• GO - Bend you knees. Test the weight. Get a grip on it. “Hug” the load. Align your spine. Lift with your legs.

LIFTING DIFFICULT LOADS
• READY - Size Up the Load
• SET - Do a Pelvic Tilt - stand or sit and tighten your stomach muscles. Curl your buttocks forward, holding for a count of 5.
• GO - Lifting Odd Shapes - Test the load. Get as close to the load’s center of gravity as you can. Follow the steps.
• GO - Lifting Heavy Weights - Test the load. Get help if too heavy to handle alone. Use verbal signals.

LIFTING IN AWKWARD PLACES
• READY - Survey the Space
• SET - Do a Backbend - Stand and place your palms on our low back. Lean your upper body back, without overarching our neck, hold for a count of 5; repeat 3 times.
• GO - Lifting from High Places - Push up to test the weight, then grip the load securely. Slide the load to the edge and down to waist level. Readjust your grip so our hands are underneath the load, then put the load down.
• GO - . . .and Low Places - Kneel on one knee. Support the load on one knee to reduce the stress on your back. Stand backup, lifting with your legs.
• GO - Lifting Within Confined Spaces - Kneel on one knee and face the load. If you must kneel on both knees, be sure you don’t twist your back as you turn. Crawl, don’t stoop, to move. Wearing kneepads makes this easier to do. Slide the load, whenever possible, to lessen the weight on your back.

MOVE RIGHT
• READY - Think It Through
• SET - Do a side bend - Stand or sit with your hands clasped overhead. Lean to one side, stretching as far as you can. Feel a slight pull from your shoulder to your waist. Hold for a count of 5; repeat 3 times on each side.
• GO - Hold loads close. Balance your back. Pivot, don’t twist. Step, don’t reach. Bend your knees.

BUILDING A LOAD
• READY - Know the Right Strategy
• SET - Do arm circles - stand or sit with your arms straight out from your sides. Slowly move your arms in circles, gradually increasing the size of the circles. Continue for 30 seconds. Rest, then repeat 3 times.
• GO - Lift the load, readjust your grip. Use your legs, readjust your grip. Set the load down.

PUSHING & PULLING
• READY – Plot Your Move
• SET – Do a wall slide. Stand with your back against a wall and your feet apart. Slide into a half-sitting position. Hold for a count of 10, then slide back up. Repeat 3 times.
• GO – Push it. Place your hands on the load and bend your elbows. Bend your knees, putting one foot forward. Push off with your back leg and take short, steady steps.
• GO – When you must pull, get a firm grip on the load, bending your elbows slightly. Bend your knees, putting one foot back for balance. Push off with your forward leg, taking short, steady steps.

THE HOMESTRETCH
When you’re heading for home at the end of your shift, your back will feel a lot better if you used the right lifting and moving techniques throughout the day. You can enjoy your free time more when you’re less tired and your body is flexible and pain free.

Tips for Summer Sports & Hydration

2010-05-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

With beautiful weather, no school, and the sun shining daily, most children have spent their summer participating in some kind of physical activity, such as a local sports league, or taking lessons in a skill such as gymnastics or golf. As a parent, your goal is to keep your child happy, healthy, and functioning on the field and off. Since injury prevention is key, follow these easy suggestions to make the most out of your summer activities… these tips apply to adults as well!

Choosing an Activity:
Determine the child's physical maturation level and match the child's size with an appropriate sport team or level.
Most competitive children's sports are organized according to chronological age rather than physical skill or maturation. Slower maturing children are often at greater risk of injury because they are competing with peers who may be larger and physically more developed.

Have an examination before play:
Have your child be examined from “Toes to Nose.”
This examination is important because it will detect imbalance, poor posture and nerve interference that once corrected will reduce chance of injury and increase performance.

Use Good Judgment about Pain:
Seek professional advice.
As children inevitably get hurt in play, it is critical that parents use good judgment in treating complaints about pain. What may act like a simple sprain may actually be a growth plate injury, which is very common in youth sports, and requires professional diagnosis and treatment.

Emphasize Water Breaks and Proper Hydration:
- Drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water per day.
- Take a water break every 15 minutes during activity, and begin the habit of having water on hand during games, bike rides, etc.
- Don’t overdo it: take the time throughout the day to hydrate. If you only drink water when you are feeling thirsty, you are already feeling the effects of dehydration.
- Don’t substitute juices or soda to prevent dehydration. Most contain sugars and caffeine that can speed up dehydration.

Plan your trip to Northgate Chiropractic today
For your FREE Consultation and Examination!

Northgate Chiropractic
Dr. Stephen Lachuta
11065 5th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98125
Phone: (206) 367-2224
Fax: (206) 260-2701
NorthgateChiropractic.net
NorthgateChiropractic@gmail.com

Please reference:
Summer Sports Offer
when scheduling your appointment!

The Most Important Piece of Golf Equipment is Your Spine!

2010-04-09T15:13:00.000-07:00

Professional golf instructors estimate that 80-100% of golfers' swing problems begin from faulty posture. Therefore, having a Chiropractor evaluate your posture should be the first and most important step toward building an optimal golf swing. Most postural faults are caused by muscle and connective tissue imbalances that pull a golfers body out of alignment, or a misalignment in spinal bones. The result of an unbalanced or asymmetrical standing posture will always be unbalanced and decreased performance. If the golf instructors are correct, a poor posture, when addressing the ball, will result in a poor and/or inconsistent golf swing. Moreover, sooner or later, golfing with a poor posture and swing motion will cause injuries. Research states that 80% of the population has lower back pain.

An onlooker may assume that the never-ending quest to put the little white ball into the cup calls upon little of the athleticism required by other warm-weather sports such as tennis or cycling. Not true. Many avid golfers contort their bodies into oddly twisted postures, generating a great deal of torque-the twisting force that opens a bottle cap-on the back. Couple this motion with a bent-over stance, repeat 90 to 120 times over three or four hours, add the fatigue that comes with several miles of walking, and you've got a good workout-and a recipe for potential lower back trouble.

As America's love affair with the game continues to grow and are playing in a big tournament, chiropractors advocate taking a proactive approach that will prepare your body for many years of pain-free play. "Most golfers go until they are in pain, then look for immediate relief. Northgate Chiropractic advocates a different approach-by helping patients look at what they can do right now to reduce the likelihood of future injury.” We want people to be able to play without pain and have the greatest potential for a lifetime.

If you take this approach, you're in good company. As a chiropractor I have found the direct connection between the spine and performance. Nerves control every muscle in your spine. A pinched nerve will decrease performance. Stan Sheppard states, “The difference between winning and losing could be just one stroke.” Many professional golfers such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson rely on chiropractors to increase their performance. To find out if chiropractic could increase your performance in golf please call our office to schedule an appointment at (206) 367-2224.

"Our Patients Speak"

2010-03-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

"O.K. I didn't believe in a back cracker, but after a very sore back and all the discomfort that comes with it I was referred to Dr. Steve by a coworker. He saw me on a Saturday, and an hour later I was feeling darned good, not 100% but he told me that due to my injury it would take a few sessions and at the price he charges that is more than O.K.
Here is a word to the wise... If your back hurts or you have headaches or anything that may be fixed by a chiropractor then go see one, and if you want the best then here he is Dr. Steve."

~Cole Y.

"I really did not believe in Chiropractors until I met Dr. Steve.

I threw my back out recently and was in pain just trying to walk. I really thought nothing could fix me. But I saw Dr. Steve and not only did he instantly cure my back problems I was able to go back to work and dance all night.

He truly is a miracle worker."

~Debora S.

Does Ibuprofen Help or Hurt During Exercise?

2010-03-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

Phys Ed: Does Ibuprofen Help or Hurt During Exercise?
By Gretchen Reynolds

Several years ago, David Nieman set out to study racers at the Western States Endurance Run, a 100-mile test of human stamina held annually in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. The race directors had asked Nieman, a well-regarded physiologist and director of the Human Performance Laboratory at the North Carolina Research Campus, to look at the stresses that the race places on the bodies of participants. Nieman and the race authorities had anticipated that the rigorous distance and altitude would affect runners’ immune systems and muscles, and they did. But one of Nieman’s other findings surprised everyone.

After looking at racers’ blood work, he determined that some of the ultramarathoners were supplying their own physiological stress, in tablet form. Those runners who’d popped over-the-counter ibuprofen pills before and during the race displayed significantly more inflammation and other markers of high immune system response afterward than the runners who hadn’t taken anti-inflammatories. The ibuprofen users also showed signs of mild kidney impairment and, both before and after the race, of low-level endotoxemia, a condition in which bacteria leak from the colon into the bloodstream.

These findings were “disturbing,” Nieman says, especially since “this wasn’t a minority of the racers.” Seven out of ten of the runners were using ibuprofen before and, in most cases, at regular intervals throughout the race, he says. “There was widespread use and very little understanding of the consequences.”

Athletes at all levels and in a wide variety of sports swear by their painkillers. A study published earlier this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that, at the 2008 Ironman Triathlon in Brazil, almost 60 percent of the racers reported using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (or NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen) at some point in the three months before the event, with almost half downing pills during the race itself. In another study, about 13 percent of participants in a 2002 marathon in New Zealand had popped NSAIDs before the race. A study of professional Italian soccer players found that 86 percent used anti-inflammatories during the 2002-2003 season.

A wider-ranging look at all of the legal substances prescribed to players during the 2002 and 2006 Men’s World Cup tournaments worldwide found that more than half of these elite players were taking NSAIDS at least once during the tournament, with more than 10 percent using them before every match.

“For a lot of athletes, taking painkillers has become a ritual,” says Stuart Warden, an assistant professor and director of physical therapy research at Indiana University, who has extensively studied the physiological impacts of the drugs.

“They put on their uniform” or pull on their running shoes and pop a few Advil. “It’s like candy” or Vitamin I, as some athletes refer to ibuprofen.

Why are so many active people swallowing so many painkillers?

One of the most common reasons cited by the triathletes in Brazil was “pain prevention.” Similarly, when the Western States runners were polled, most told the researchers that “they thought ibuprofen would get them through the pain and discomfort of the race,” Nieman says, “and would prevent soreness afterward.” But the latest research into the physiological effects of ibuprofen and other NSAIDs suggests that the drugs in fact, have the opposite effect. In a number of studies conducted both in the field and in human performance laboratories in recent years, NSAIDs did not lessen people’s perception of pain during activity or decrease muscle soreness later. “We had researchers at water stops” during the Western States event, Nieman says, asking the racers how the hours of exertion felt to them. “There was no difference between the runners using ibuprofen and those who weren’t. So the painkillers were not useful for reducing pain” during the long race, he says, and afterward, the runners using ibuprofen reported having legs that were just as sore as those who hadn’t used the drugs.

Moreover, Warden and other researchers have found that, in laboratory experiments on animal tissues, NSAIDs actually slowed the healing of injured muscles, tendons, ligament, and bones. “NSAIDs work by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins,” substances that are involved in pain and also in the creation of collagen, Warden says. Collagen is the building block of most tissues. So fewer prostaglandins mean less collagen, “which inhibits the healing of tissue and bone injuries,” Warden says, including the micro-tears and other trauma to muscles and tissues that can occur after any strenuous workout or race.

The painkillers also blunt the body’s response to exercise at a deeper level. Normally, the stresses of exercise activate a particular molecular pathway that increases collagen, and leads, eventually, to creating denser bones and stronger tissues. If “you’re taking ibuprofen before every workout, you lessen this training response,” Warden says. Your bones don’t thicken and your tissues don’t strengthen as they should. They may be less able to withstand the next workout. In essence, the pills athletes take to reduce the chances that they’ll feel sore may increase the odds that they’ll wind up injured — and sore.

All of which has researchers concerned. Warden wrote in an editorial this year on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine that “there is no indication or rationale for the current prophylactic use of NSAIDs by athletes, and such ritual use represents misuse.”

When, then, are ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory painkillers justified? “When you have inflammation and pain from an acute injury,” Warden says. “In that situation, NSAIDs are very effective.” But to take them “before every workout or match is a mistake.”

I Have A Congenital What?

2010-03-16T15:11:00.000-07:00

I have a Congenital what? You have been told through an X-ray that you have a congenital defect in your spine. This is something that is abnormal or defected. Through my research and experience over the last ten years approximately 12% of the population have a congenital defect in their spine. These defects are usually inherited from the parents and grandparents or sometimes occur through a childhood trauma. There are three types of defects that I commonly see in my office.

The first one is called a Congenital Fusion. What that means is your body chose to fuse or glue several bones together. This is very similar to a rusted hinge on a door. The door may still open to some degree, but forcing the joint to move would be painful.

The second type is called a Spondylisthesis. In this defect not all the parts of the vertebra are connected properly. This type of fracture is highly unstable and requires continual maintenance and strength and stability in the spine.

The third type of defect involves having additional or extra vertebra in the spine. Sometimes in life we are given gifts. This gift is not usually good, because this extra bone or vertebra results in instability and weakness. This is very similar to having five wheels on a car, it would be great, if you were only driving your car on a straight road, but not if you where required to lift, stand or bend excess amounts of weight or long periods of time.

So, Dr. Lachuta, if I have this defect what should I do about it? It is my recommendation that chiropractic adjustments will keep the one above and below the defect area moving and free of nerve pressure. The nervous system controls and coordinates every function of the human body. 90% of the nervous system controls functions and only 10% controls. Interference or pressure on the nervous system will decrease the ability of the nerves, glands, organs and tissues to work properly. The majority of patients with these defects do not have pain either. Regularly monitoring of the vertebra thru exams and technology to insure that the bone maintains it’s health and strength. Proper diet, exercise and stretching will also keep the congenital defect and the spine healthier, flexible and stronger.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Early Spring = Early Allergy Symptoms

2010-03-09T17:13:00.000-08:00

A healthy immune system means high resistance to disease and infection, an enhanced ability to deal with environmental stresses, and greater health and well-being. The immune system is one of the most complicated, sensitive, and mysterious systems in the body. It is influenced by our neurological and hormonal systems, by our diet, and even by emotional and mental stress. Science's understanding of it is in its infancy, yet many believe it holds the ultimate key to life and health.

Thus we can see that if the immune system were to malfunction we could be in very serious trouble. The most common disorder of the immune system is one that is a lot less frightening: the allergy.

Substances that cause an allergic reaction are called allergens. An allergic reaction (sensitivity) occurs when the immune system overreacts to an allergen and produces too many neutralizing chemicals (especially histamines) to counteract it. Some examples of allergens are dust; pollen; medicines; dog or cat dander; dairy; soaps; detergents and other kitchen chemicals; and even foods like strawberries or chocolate (heaven forbid!).

A common example of an allergy is hayfever. Although most people who breathe ragweed pollen aren't bothered by the microscopic bits of plants that constitute pollen, some have an immune system that overreacts to it. The runny eyes, irritated mucus membranes, redness, pounding in the head, fullness in the sinuses - are produced by the neutralizing chemicals.

The cause of allergies and immune system disease has not been conclusively determined. However, there are those who attribute the proliferation of allergies and other immune system diseases to the mass vaccination campaigns of the past few decades.

Medicine has no cure for allergies, only treatment. According to Robert Mendelsohn, M.D “You can depend on most doctors to largely ignore the cause and instead rush madly to treatment.” Unfortunately, the treatment is often worse than the disease, especially since the relatively safe folk-measures of yesteryear have been replaced by the sophisticated, dangerous drugs of modern medicine.

Overreaction to allergens causes the body to release the chemical histamine (as well as other chemicals) that cause inflammation
and other symptoms. Antihistamines are often prescribed to counter these effects. In most cases the antihistamines dry up the nasal passages and decrease the discomfort from itching, but do not correct the immune system overreaction.

Antihistamines, steroid hormones, and long-term desensitization all carry significant negative side effects.

Regarding allergy shots (desensitization), Dr. Mendelsohn states, "Although millions of patients have received the shots over the past 60 years, there are no, good, long-term studies to determine possible neurologic or other consequences of this treatment." Also mentioned was "a striking incidence of positive 'rheumatoid factors' in allergic children receiving shots.” Clinical studies have shown that breast fed babies have fewer allergy problems than formula-fed babies. Although chiropractic is not a treatment for diseases, allergies included, it does, by permitting the nervous system to function with less stress, permit the immune system to function more effectively - and this is something all allergy sufferers need.

Many studies have revealed the effect of a healthy nervous system on immune system health. Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York's Preventive Medicine Institute and professor of medicine at New York University, measured the immune systems of people under chiropractic care as compared to those in the general population and those with cancer and other serious diseases.

His study found that chiropractic patients have a 200% greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic care. Allergies can make people's lives miserable. The standard medical approach may give short-term relief but is controversial and dangerous, and its long-term effects are untested. Common sense tells us to explore the safest, most natural means of dealing with problems before resorting to more extreme measures. A two-fold approach to allergies is often recommended: first, the avoidance of those substances that cause severe reactions and, second, correction of the basic cause - a malfunctioning immune system.

As one authority states, “A healthy body is capable of neutralizing these toxic substances and a body which has malfunctioning defense mechanisms cannot. The emphasis on allergies must be on building a healthy body, not on trying to use evasive tactics by eliminating all the allergens."

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

"I don't believe in chiropractic"

2010-02-20T10:50:00.000-08:00

Chiropractic is different.

This difference, because it avoids drugs and surgery, has delighted millions for over a century. And like anything different it has produced misunderstandings and a few skeptics.

While chiropractic is different, it certainly isn't something that you have to "believe in" for it to work.

Instead, chiropractic results are produced by adhering to scientifically confirmed facts:

The nervous system controls every cell of your body. Nerve impulses flow from the brain, down the spinal cord, and to every organ and tissue. Impulses sent back to the brain confirm that the body is working as it should.

The moving bones of the spine can interfere with this exchange by irritating adjacent nerves. Ill health can result from distorted or compromised nervous system control of the body. Chiropractic care helps restore the integrity of the nervous system by reducing interferences caused by the spine.

Still skeptic???
Call (206) 367-2224 and we will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Are you hearing that natural cures don't work?

2009-11-18T10:12:00.000-08:00

Recent, well-funded, and very prominent research is making headlines this month about the validity of natural cures; specifically, claiming that their benefit is mainly attributed to a placebo effect. For anyone who has developed a preference for natural cures and homeopathic remedies, this is a frustrating announcement. While the placebo effect may play a role in many cases, there is significant evidence, both subjective and objective, of the positive effects of natural cures. Some food for thought is below, highlighting just how interesting the possibilities of natural cures are. According to this article pulled from Reuters, 70% of current cancer drugs and treatments are natural products or derived from natural products. If we had the funding and the laws to develop research on natural cures and the ability to patent research and results, who knows what could be found or created? (sustainably, of course.)

In Amazon, a frustrated search for cancer cures
Reuters

By Stuart Grudgings Stuart Grudgings – Tue Nov 17, 2:11 pm ET

SAO SEBASTIAO DE CUIEIRAS, Brazil (Reuters) – The task of harvesting the secrets of Brazil's vast Amazon rain forest that could help in the battle against cancer largely falls to Osmar Barbosa Ferreira and a big pair of clippers.

In jungle so dense it all but blocks out the sun, the lithe 46-year-old shimmies up a thin tree helped by a harness, a strap between his feet, and the expertise gained from a lifetime laboring in the forest.

A few well-placed snips later, branches cascade to a small band of researchers and a doctor who faithfully make a long monthly trip to the Cuieiras river in Amazonas state in the belief that the forest's staggeringly rich plant life can unlock new treatments for cancer.

They may be right.

About 70 percent of current cancer drugs are either natural products or derived from natural compounds, and the world's largest rain forest is a great cauldron of biodiversity that has already produced medicine for diseases such as malaria.

But finding the right material is no easy task in a forest that can have up to 400 species of trees and many more plants in a 2.5-acre (1-hectare) area, and in a country where suspicion of outside involvement in the Amazon runs strong.

"If we had very clear rules, we could attract scientists from all over the world," said the doctor, Drauzio Varella, with a mix of enthusiasm and frustration. "We could transform a big part of the Amazon into an enormous laboratory."

As it stands, though, foreigners are barred from helping oncologist Varella and the researchers from Sao Paulo's Paulista University, who are among a tiny handful of Brazilian groups licensed to study samples from the Amazon.

Varella, 66, believes his high profile has helped. He is a well-known writer and television personality who shot to fame in 1999 with a book and subsequent hit movie based on his work as a doctor in a brutal Sao Paulo prison called Carandiru.

But a move by his team in the 1990s to partner with the U.S. National Cancer Institute produced a storm of accusations of "bio-piracy" and for years it has been blocked from the international cooperation and funding that could increase the chances of finding the Holy Grail of a cancer cure.

Their work has also been regularly delayed by bureaucratic demands, once stopping their collections for two years.

In more than a decade of searching, the group has brought back 2,200 samples from this tributary of the mighty, tea-dark Rio Negro (Black River) to its laboratory in Sao Paulo, of which about 70 have shown some effect against tumors. Just those samples have given the team enough analysis work for 20 years, said Varella, a lanky marathon runner whose younger brother died of cancer.

"If we can find 70, imagine what a big university with international resources could do -- they could screen for an absurd amount of diseases," said Varella, who still spends part of his time treating prisoners in Sao Paulo.

"As well as the impact this could have on human health, it could bring resources for preservation and to improve the quality of life of people who live here."

Ironically, it was a foreigner who inspired Varella to begin his search. Robert Gallo, a U.S. researcher and leading AIDS expert who co-discovered the HIV virus, asked Varella during a trip to the Amazon in the early 1990s if anyone was researching the medical potential of the forest.

JIGSAW PUZZLE

Among the natural products being used to fight cancer today is Taxol, a chemotherapy drug that comes from the bark of the Pacific yew tree.

David Newman, head of the Natural Products Branch of the U.S. National Cancer Institute, said several promising cancer drugs derived from natural sources as varied as a deep-water sponges and microbes are currently going through clinical trials. Often the natural compounds are tweaked or mimicked to better fight cancer cells.

"It's a detective story and a jigsaw puzzle, but you don't know how many pieces there are or what the picture looks like," he said. "In one teaspoon of soil from the Amazon, you find over a thousand microbes that have never been isolated."

Out of an estimated 80,000 species of flower-bearing plants in the Amazon, only about a fifth have been identified.

Newman said progress in Brazil has been greatly hampered by the inability of companies to patent a natural product under legislation passed in the 1990s, leaving no incentive to invest in research.

He cited the example of a Brazilian viper snake whose venom proved vital to the development of blood pressure drug captopril in the 1970s, a find that might not have happened under today's laws.

Further analysis of the promising compounds found by Varella's team has been held up while the university waits for access to a nuclear-magnetic resonance machine that can isolate the active elements.

"We're still a long way from discovering an actual medicine that could cure a type of cancer but we have strong signs that some plants have substances that inhibit the growth of tumors," said Mateus Paciencia, a bearded 34-year-old botanist.

Their main hope is that growing concern over the environment and increasing government efforts to slow the destruction of the Amazon by ranchers and loggers will turn the tide in favor of sustainable forest industries, of which they say their work is a prime example.

"There is nothing more sustainable than this," said Paciencia. "We take a kilogram worth of samples from a tree that weighs a ton and get an extract that lasts 10 years."

As he hung from a tree trunk, Ferreira said his relationship with the forest had been transformed by his job. He used to cut down trees with a chainsaw and sell the lumber in the city of Manaus, about 80 km (50 miles) down river from the research site.

"I think we'll find a medicine, and it won't take too long," he said. "If I deforest, I'm killing not just one plant but destroying a lot of other plants as well. So the job we're doing here is much better."

Why is my child sick all the time?

2009-11-17T16:54:00.000-08:00

Many parents wonder why their children seem to be sick all the time. After all, the last place you want your child is to be at the doctor’s office or at home sick. Are there ways to improve our children’s health? Or are we helpless?
Decisions we make as parents can make a difference in the health of our children. From before birth until adulthood, parents make the decisions that influence their children’s lives. Mothers choose what their diet and exercise will be during pregnancy. Parents make birth plans and decide who will be their child’s doctor.
After a child is born, one of the main decisions made is whether or not to breastfeed. Many factors play a part in our final decision and often parents write down the advantages and disadvantages of breast milk versus formula. One question that may get asked is how will it affect my child’s health? Breast milk contains many substances, which have bactericidal and antiviral properties. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies are breastfed for at least the first year of life. Research indicates that breastfeeding decreases certain infectious illnesses, ear infections and diarrhea, and may provide protection against allergic diseases, SIDS, and diabetes. As our children grow up their nutritional needs change.
One of the factors that continue to impact our children’s health is their diet. Not only should children have a balanced diet but also we should look at the individual items they eat and drink. Most people have seen milk commercials promoting its benefits. Is milk really that good for you? Robert Cohen, author of “Milk: The Deadly Poison” says milk is responsible for allergies, colic, colitis, earaches, colds, and congestion in young children. Milk contains growth hormones, fat, cholesterol, allergenic proteins, blood, pus, antibiotics, bacteria, and viruses. Research also indicates that the protein found in milk destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas causing diabetes. After knowing this, can we ignore the importance of a dairy rich diet, when we have the knowledge that it can affect our health in many ways other than nutritional value?
What else affects a child’s health? We know that diet and exercise are important as well as proper rest. Another factor that often is ignored is a properly functioning nervous system. Our children have checkups for their teeth, eyes, ears, nose throat, but how do you check the nervous system?
The nervous system is the master controller of the body. Current research states that the nervous system is directly connected to and controls the immune system. If there is an interference with nerve function, this leads to an interference with the body’s ability to properly function. Part of this function is its ability to heal itself. Chiropractors detect and correct interference (subluxations) in the spine. A typical medical birth can cause a subluxation in the baby. Dr. Guntman found that about 80 percent of all children are subluxated during birth. When forceps are used as much as 90-110 pounds per square inch of pressure is applied to the baby’s neck. Also, the home is where the normal slips and falls of childhood occur. On the average before the age of seven, your child will fall about 2500 times and before the age of three will have 3 major falls from a crib, changing table or down steps. All of which can cause subluxations. Which in effect can decrease the proper function of the nervous and immune systems. A study was done which supported the belief that chiropractic care boosted the immune system. One hundred and seven chiropractic patients were evaluated and found to have a 200% greater immune-competence than people who had no chiropractic care. Studies have also been done showing the differences between children who have only had traditional medical care and children who have had regular chiropractic care. The children under chiropractic care had been sick less often and less severely compared to those who had no chiropractic care.
As parents we may also wonder if our children are sicker because there are more chances for our children to get sick. Health experts are indicating that drug resistant diseases have been on the rise. Experts in the New England Journal of Medicine indicate that the overuse of antibiotics is causing the increase of these diseases. The World Health Organization indicated that the unnecessary use of antibiotics has created a breed of “superbacteria” which are resistant to standard drugs and which can weaken the immune system. The abuse of antibiotics has been a factor in worldwide epidemics such as Ebola and Aids. Antibiotics are often prescribed for ear infections, sore throats and other health problems even though they are unnecessary and ineffective in treating the problem. It is has been shown that these health problems go away in the same amount of time with or without antibiotics.
As parents, it is up to us to educate ourselves and determine what is best for our children. It is our choices that affect our children’s health and well being. When we ask ourselves questions like “why are our kids so sick?” then it is our responsibility to investigate and find out how we can improve their lives. No one else is going to care more about our children than us.

Moms Speak Out

“My child has been adjusted since birth. Getting sick hasn’t been a household thought.”
T.S.

“As a child, our family always got adjusted. Sickness hardly ever occurred and only lasted a day or two.”
D.F.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Check your Fever Facts!

2009-11-10T17:04:00.001-08:00

Fever is one of the most common reasons that parents seek medical attention for their children. Parental concerns arise in part because of the belief that fever is a disease rather than a symptom or sign of illness. Twenty years ago, Barton Schmitt, MD, found that parents had numerous misconceptions about fever. These unrealistic concerns were termed "fever phobia."
In a recent study from the Department of Pediatrics out of John Hopkins’ Bay New Medical Center, a total of 340 caregivers were interviewed. Fifty-six percent of caregivers were very worried about the potential harm of fever in their children, 44% considered a temperature of 102 degrees F to be a "high" fever, and 7% thought that a temperature could rise to 110 degrees F if left untreated. Ninety-one percent of caregivers believed that a fever could cause harmful effects; 21% listed brain damage, and 14% listed death. Strikingly, 52% of caregivers said that they would check their child's temperature once an hour when their child had a fever, 25% gave antipyretics for temperatures less than 100 degrees F, and 85% would awaken their child to give antipyretics. Fourteen percent of caregivers gave acetaminophen, and 44% gave ibuprofen at too frequent dosing intervals.
In a study looking at how 161 pediatricians treat children's fevers, researchers found that half tell parents to give both ibuprofen and acetaminophen in alternating doses. According to Dr. Clara E. Mayoral and her colleagues at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, New York, this strategy could put children at greater risk from the drugs' side effects, which include liver damage. “Parents need to understand that fever is not necessarily a bad thing,” Dr. Mayoral said. “It’s the body’s response to infection. Treating the fever does not treat the underlying cause.” Their report is published in the May issue of Pediatrics. Of the 73% of caregivers who said that they sponged their child to treat a fever, 24% sponged at temperatures less than 100 degrees F; 18% used alcohol. Forty-six percent of caregivers listed doctors as their primary resource for information about fever. Caregivers who stated that they were very worried about fever were more likely in the past to have had a child who was evaluated for a fever, to have had blood work performed on their child during a febrile illness, and to have perceived their doctors to be very worried about fever. Compared with 20 years ago, more caregivers listed seizure as a potential harm of fever, woke their children and checked temperatures more often during febrile illnesses, and gave antipyretics or initiated sponging more frequently for possible normal temperatures. Fever phobia persists.
Tylenol is not in our house. The body heals itself with no interference, and the increased temperature is a process to destroy the bacteria. Chiropractic care allows the immune system to function at 100% thus allowing the body’s defense to work properly. Reducing the fever with drugs allows the bacteria to continue to grow. As I tell each patient, it is your call and decision, just make sure chiropractic care is a part of that decision.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Thinking outside the box

2009-11-06T15:10:00.000-08:00

New gene therapy halts 2 boys' rare brain disease---and how did they do it? With the HIV virus. No joke--an inactivated virus is introduced for the restorative genes to hitch a ride into the body on, essentially. Pretty neat. What do you think about harnessing the power of a deadly virus for good? How does this fit with your concept of wellness and the body's inherent ability to heal? Read the article below.

New gene therapy halts 2 boys' rare brain disease
AP

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard, Ap Medical Writer – Thu Nov 5, 5:12 pm ET

WASHINGTON – French scientists mixed gene therapy and bone marrow transplants in two boys to seemingly halt a brain disease that can kill by adolescence. The surprise ingredient: They disabled the HIV virus so it couldn't cause AIDS, and then used it to carry in the healthy new gene.

The experiment marks the first time researchers have tried that long-contemplated step in people — and the first effective gene therapy against a severe brain disease, said lead researcher Dr. Patrick Aubourg of the University Paris-Descartes.

Although it's a small, first-step study, it has "exciting implications" for other blood and immune disorders that had been feared beyond gene therapy's reach, said Dr. Kenneth Cornetta, president of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy.

"This study shows the power of combining gene therapy and cell therapy," added Cornetta, whose own lab at Indiana University has long researched how to safely develop gene delivery using lentiviruses, HIV's family.

The research was published in Friday's edition of the journal Science.

In 20 years of gene therapy research, there have been few home runs and some headline-making setbacks — including a risk of leukemia caused by otherwise successful gene therapy for another rare disorder, "bubble boy disease." That's a risk that specialists hope a lentivirus-based gene therapy will eliminate.

Best known from the movie "Lorenzo's Oil", adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD, is a rare genetic disease that, in its most devastating form, destroys the coating of nerve fibers in boys' brains. Without that coating, called myelin, the neurological system breaks down. The disease typically strikes between the ages of four and 10, leading to blindness, deafness, dementia and loss of muscle control, and killing them within a few years.

Bone marrow transplants can halt ALD by letting new myelin-forming stem cells take root. But it's difficult to find a matching marrow donor, and the transplant itself is very risky.

So what if stem cells from the boys' own bone marrow could be genetically corrected, eliminating the ALD mutation? To do that, Aubourg's team had to overcome a technical hurdle: Gene therapy works when scientists harness deliver a healthy new gene by attaching to a virus that can harmlessly infect cells. But none of today's so-called gene therapy "vectors" could penetrate enough of the stem cells needed for an ALD treatment to work.

Unlike most viruses, HIV can penetrate stem cells, and it sticks permanently. So Aubourg's team removed the genetic parts of HIV that make it dangerous, leaving basically a scaffolding to carry the new therapeutic gene.

Then they culled stem cells from two 7-year-old boys in the early stages of ALD, and mixed in the healthy gene. The boys underwent bone marrow-destroying chemotherapy and then had their genetically corrected stem cells reinserted.

Two years later, the boys have shown no sign of worsening brain damage and are functioning well with 15 percent of their blood cells producing the healthy protein, said Aubourg, who plans to test the experimental procedure in more patients. An advocacy group, the Stop ALD Foundation, is working to raise money for a similar U.S. study.

___

On the Net:

Science Web site: http://www.sciencemag.org

Our Patients Speak

2009-11-04T16:52:00.001-08:00

“Our Patients Speak”

I first visited Dr. Lachuta in April of 2008 after I read an ad for Northgate Chiropractic in the Seattle Times. I had severe lower back pains day and night, and I’d taken codeine pills prescribed by my Medicare doctor for at least 9 years or more.

For the past 10 years, my normal activities were interrupted daily by pain while I worked or relaxed with friends. When I read Dr. Lachuta’s ad in the paper, it moved me to make an appointment. I had tried acupuncture, chiropractic, and medical doctors in the past, but none of the various care worked. The codeine pills resulted in constipation, and only worked for a limited, and were no help really.

Only Dr. Lachuta’s single treatment removed the lower back pain, and I have never had these pains to this day. If I believed in God I could say Dr. Lachuta’s treatments were God-given.

I began to see results from chiropractic care after my first session. It has changed my life to not have lower back pain, and can only be described as miraculous due to the adjustments. I swear to anyone who has lower back pain to see Dr. Lachuta. I have found my God in Dr. Lachuta and I spread my relief to all others; for curative powers, GO TO DR. LACHUTA.

~Florence Gross, 90, MSW (Masters of Social Work- from University of Toronto, ranking amongst top social work in the world).
10/03/2009

HELP BLISS SOAPS!

2009-10-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

Our friends, Bliss Soaps on Capitol Hill, have fallen victim to a fraud scheme that has unfortunatly in this tough economy left them unsure of their ability to maintain operating expenses! Help a neighbor out---take advantage of the amazing deal they are offering to boost their immediate sales and a make a turn around that will allow them to keep their doors open! Read below for the full story, and visit the shop at

http://www.blisssoap.com/

or

619 Broadway E
Seattle, WA 98102-5025
(206) 322-7627

10/29/2009

Dear Valued BLISS Soaps Customer;

BLISS Soaps has unfortunately fallen victim to a fraudulent business deal. Many local customers may recall a large soap, lotion, facemask and eye cream order that we were working on as they came to visit the store. The order was made, delivered and distributed to the Cruise-line executives ahead of schedule. Emperors Essentials, the company that commissioned BLISS Soaps to fulfill this contract fraudulently reversed ALL of the payments that were made to us. After researching the company, we discovered that the couple who own Emperors Essentials; Robert Friend, Jr., and Shao Mei Wang operate 4 charities in Gig Harbor, Washington. 1) National Association of Disabled Police Officers. 2) American Veterans Coalition. 3) (Childrens) Cancer Assistance Network. 4) Disabled Firefighters Foundation. All 4 charities are fictitious and an estimated $5,000,000.00 was raised for the charities and around 2 cents per dollar was used as assistance. If you hear of these in the future, DO NOT DONATE.

The devastating to BLISS Soaps came at such a time that we may not recover the funds in time to maintain operations.

In an effort to make this a win-win situation for both of us, we are offering this 4 day only Internet, call-in and walk-in special in an attempt to earn pre holiday revenue.

All orders over $50.00 will be doubled and the next 5 future orders over $50.00 will be given a $15.00 credit.

All orders received in the next 4 days will be filed and a VERY special future offer will be offered to you in our Dec E-mail.

ALL orders place in the next 4 days EVEN orders under $50.00 will be given the Special December offer.

To call in your orders, please call 1-206-322-SOAP 7 days 4-10 Pacific Time
Internet orders, please only order ½ of what you would like as we will simply double the order received.

Thank, you for your past and continued patronage and hope to hear from you soon.
Phil & Chuck
BLISS Soaps

Is chiropractic not covered in your employer-sponsored health plan??

2009-10-21T14:26:00.000-07:00

Is chiropractic care not covered by your employer sponsored health plan? Do yourself and your coworkers a favor by starting an initiative to get coverage included on your plan, or a plan that includes chiropractic! Now don't start an uprising, but make an educated pitch to your superiors about why such a change is necessary, or even desired.

-Cost-effective health care keeps workers well and at work!
-Cost-effective health care OPTIONS keep your company from shelling out the major bucks by covering the smaller costs upfront to keep you healthy!

Its a win/win! Use a study like this to support your argument:

Study Finds the Availability of Chiropractic Care Improves the Value of Health Benefits Plans

* Press Release
* Source: Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP)
* On 3:30 pm EDT, Tuesday October 20, 2009

CARMICHAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A report, prepared by a global leader for trusted human resources and related financial advice, products and services, finds that the addition of chiropractic care for the treatment of low back and neck pain will likely increase value-for-dollar in US employer-sponsored health benefit plans. Authored by Niteesh Choudhry, MD, PhD, and Arnold Milstein, MD, the report can be fully downloaded at: Full Report.

Executive Summary:

Low back and neck pain are extremely common conditions that consume large amounts of health care resources. Chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation and mobilization, are used by almost half of US patients with persistent back-pain seeking out this modality of treatment.

The peer-reviewed scientific literature evaluating the effectiveness of US chiropractic treatment for patients with back and neck pain suggests that these treatments are at least as effective as other widely used treatments. However, US cost-effectiveness studies have methodological limitations.

High quality randomized cost-effectiveness studies have to date only been performed in the EU. To model the EU study findings for US populations, researchers applied US insurer-payable unit price data from a large database of employer-sponsored health plans. The findings rest on the assumption that the relative difference in the cost-effectiveness of low back and neck pain treatment with and without chiropractic services are similar in the US and the EU.

The results of the researchers’ analysis are as follows:

* Effectiveness: Chiropractic care is more effective than other modalities for treating low back and neck pain.
* Total cost of care per year:

-For low back pain, chiropractic physician care increases total annual per patient spending by $75 compared to medical physician care.

-For neck pain, chiropractic physician care reduces total annual per patient spending by $302 compared to medical physician care.

Cost-effectiveness: When considering effectiveness and cost together, chiropractic physician care for low back and neck pain is highly cost-effective, represents a good value in comparison to medical physician care and to widely accepted cost-effectiveness thresholds.

These findings, in combination with existing US studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, suggest that chiropractic care for the treatment of low back and neck pain is likely to achieve equal or better health outcomes at a cost that compares very favorable to most therapies that are routinely covered in US health benefits plans. As a result, the addition of chiropractic coverage for the treatment of low back and neck pain at prices typically payable in US employer-sponsored health benefit plans will likely increase value-for-dollar by improving clinical outcomes and either reducing total spending (neck pain) or increasing total spending (low back pain) by a smaller percentage than clinical outcomes improve.

Accordingly, this report was commissioned by the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (www.f4cp.com) to summarize the existing economic studies of chiropractic care published in peer-reviewed scientific literature, and to use the most robust of these studies to estimate the cost-effectiveness of providing chiropractic insurance coverage in the US.

Gerard Clum, DC, spokesperson for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress and president of Life Chiropractic College West, says, “While some studies reflect cost efficiencies and others clinical efficiencies, these findings strongly support both for chiropractic care of neck pain and low back pain.”

About F4CP

A not-for-profit organization, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) embraces a singular mission to promote positive press for the profession in national, regional and local media. Through effective and ongoing initiatives, the Foundation’s goal is to raise awareness to the many benefits provided by doctors of chiropractic. The F4CP relies upon strategic marketing campaigns that span prominent spokespersons, monthly press releases, public service announcements, and advertisements in high-profile media outlets. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit us on the web at www.foundation4cp.com or call 866-901-f4cp.

Contact:

For Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP):
Stephen Mittler, 201-641-1911 x35
smittler@cpronline.com

Swine Flu--Why Shouldn't You Vaccinate?

2009-10-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

Why Shouldn’t I Vaccinate?
Flu vaccines are created to target the specific strains of flu determined by the government to be a prevalent health concern for the season. Not all strains are included in the vaccination, and you are not protected from exposure to a different strain than what you are vaccinated for. This is why there is a separate vaccine for H1N1 this year, because it came on the radar too late to be included as a strain in 2009 seasonal flu vaccination. But, getting vaccinated does not guarantee you will not get sick from any strain.
If you are concerned over the “Swine Flu” hype, educate yourself. The hype is due to the lack of immunity to this new strain; more people will likely catch the flu this season than average. But, swine flu is still just a seasonal flu with seasonal flu symptoms and should not be considered drastically more dangerous that “regular flu,” depending on who you are. These target groups are described by the CDC as people who are more likely to catch the disease: pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. If you fall in one of these groups, protecting yourself against the flu may be more of a challenge this year than last. But before you decide to vaccinate, consider the following.
According to the CDC, the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines being approved by the FDA will be manufactured in several formulations. Multi-dose vials will contain thimerosal as a preservative. Multi-dose vials of seasonal influenza vaccine will also contain thimerosal to prevent potential contamination after the vial is opened. Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that was used for decades in the U.S. in vials containing more than one dose to prevent the contaminating growth of microorganisms. Concern and outrage in the 1990’s over the effects of thimerosal on general health and the speculation in it’s contribution to autism led the CDC and FDA to continually evaluate new scientific information about the safety of vaccines. However, according to the CDC website, “People have a right to expect the vaccines they receive are safe and effective. The CDC and FDA also hold vaccines to the highest standards of safety. Since 2001, no new vaccine licensed by FDA for use in children has contained thimerosal as a preservative, and all vaccines routinely recommended by CDC for children under six years of age have been thimerosal-free…” Except for the influenza and H1N1 vaccines, the website admits.
Why Should I Vaccinate?
To be fair, vaccinations can be a calculated risk. If you care for others or are a healthcare provider, you are a “gateway” to spreading seasonal flu. Or, if you fall into one of the categories most likely to be at risk of coming down with the flu, and also are at risk of developing more health-threatening side-effects or complications, you may want to discuss vaccination with your doctor.
This article serves to aid awareness about the use of vaccines. Research is the best way to keep yourself informed! Visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention online to learn more about season flu and H1N1, and read their detailed Q&A about vaccinations. Make a good choice for yourself! http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Write Us a Review!

2009-10-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends and Patients,

If you've appreciated our service, do us a favor by helping us pass the word along! Write us a review on Yelp so others may find us for care, too!

-Go to www.yelp.com/seattle
-Type "Northgate Chiropractic" into the Search tab
-Click on Northgate Chiropractic
-Click on "Write a Review"
-Please create a profile (if you do not have one)

Thanks for your continued support!!
Northgate Chiropractic

A Statistic You Can Understand

2009-10-02T14:55:00.000-07:00

Well, we harp constantly about the dangers of prescription drug overdose. We cite news articles, reference scientific research, and throw all kinds of numerical statistics around. But what do those numbers really mean? Do we actually have an understanding of what X number of deaths, Y amount of cost, or Z cases of side-effects actually mean relative to our place in healthy (or sickly) society?

But finally, new research has put the dangers of prescription drug use in terms we can understand...and hopefully at a level that will enlighten the public of a need for change.

Everyone knows that automobile accidents are the number one cause of death in the United States. Now, drug-related deaths have usurped that title in a number of states. While automobile accidents remain the number one killer in the United States, drug-related deaths are the leading cause of death in 16 states and counting, as of 2006, up from 8 states in 2003.

While this is devastating, there may be a silver lining. Hopefully the appropriate attention will now be garnered on the dangers of prescription drug use, and a stronger message will be sent to the public. Read the article below, from the Seattle Times local news, for more information.

Drugs causing more deaths than cars in Washington

In 16 states and counting, drugs now kill more people than auto accidents do, the government said Wednesday.

By MIKE STOBBE

AP Medical Writer
ATLANTA —

In 16 states and counting, drugs now kill more people than auto accidents do, the government said Wednesday.

Experts said the startling shift reflects two opposite trends: Driving is becoming safer, and the legal and illegal use of powerful prescription painkillers is on the rise.

For decades, traffic accidents have been the biggest cause of injury-related death in the U.S., and they are still No. 1. But drug overdoses are pulling ahead in one state after another.

"People see a car accident as something that might happen to them," said Margaret Warner, an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But as for death from a drug overdose, "maybe they see it as something that's not going happen to them."

The drug-related death rate roughly doubled from the late 1990s to 2006, according to the most recent CDC data.

The number of states in which drug-related deaths have overtaken traffic fatalities has gone from eight in 2003 to 12 in 2005, and 16 in 2006. They are: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

It's not clear why those states have seen such a shift, but experts said certain drugs may be more of a problem in some states than in others.

While cocaine and heroin continue to be significant killers, most of the increase is attributed to prescription opiates such as the painkillers methadone, Oxycontin and Vicodin.

From 1999 to 2006, death rates for such medications climbed for every age group. Deaths from methadone alone increased sevenfold, according to the CDC.

It's not all black market stuff, either.

About half of the opiate medication deaths in King County, Wash., which includes Seattle, involved people who got their drugs through legal prescriptions, said Caleb Banta-Green, a University of Washington research scientist.

"There has been a dramatic change in how doctors prescribe opiates," Banta-Green said.

advertising

In the 1990s, he said, doctors began recognizing that chronic pain was undertreated. The prescribing of painkillers escalated after that. Today, about one in five U.S. adults and one in 10 adolescents are prescribed an opiate each year, he said.

"The pendulum swung in the other direction," he said.

Using death certificate data, CDC researchers counted more than 45,000 U.S. deaths nationwide from traffic accidents in 2006, and about 39,000 from drug-induced causes.

About 90 percent of those drug fatalities are sudden deaths from overdoses, but the count includes people who died from organ damage from long-term drug use or abuse.

In Massachusetts, there were more than 1,000 drug-related deaths in 2006, double the number of traffic deaths, according to the CDC. Michigan had about 500 more drug deaths than vehicle fatalities, and New York had 350 more.

Nationally, the death rate from traffic accidents fell by about 6.5 percent from 1999 through 2006 - from 15.3 deaths per 100,000 people to 14.3 per 100,000, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The decline in road fatalities is "considered one of the great public health triumphs" of the past few decades, the CDC's Warner said.

--

On the Net:

CDC report: http://www.cdc.gov/NCHS

Fall Seasonal Aches & Pains

2009-09-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

With Summer winding down and Fall around the corner, many of us are rushing to complete annual fall chores in preparation for the winter rainy season. Raking leaves, clearing brush, unclogging gutters, repairing leaks and gaps in housing foundation, and adding a protectant coating to your deck are all common and necessary activities that can leave even the most fit participants sore and tense, and sometimes worse. Follow the suggestions below from the CDC and Yahoo HealthDay to prevent injuries do to falls and general strain!

In 2008 in the United States, about 617,000 people suffered injuries caused by rakes, other outdoor garden supplies and ladders, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission noted.

So to help avoid becoming one of those statistics, the AAOS offers the following autumn chore safety tips:

* Warm up for at least 10 minutes with some stretching and light exercise before beginning work in the yard.
* Use a rake that's comfortable for your height and strength. You can prevent blisters by wearing gloves or using a rake with a padded handle.
* Make sure that hats or scarves don't block your vision, and watch out for large rocks, low branches, tree stumps or uneven surfaces.
* Vary your movements and alternate your leg and arm positions often. When picking up leaves, bend at the knees, not at the waist.
* Wear shoes or boots with slip-resistant soles.
* Don't overfill leaf bags, especially if the leaves are wet. You should be able to carry bags comfortably.
* Don't throw leaves over your shoulder or to the side. That kind of twisting motion places undue stress on your back.
* Inspect ladders for loose screws, hinges or rungs, and make sure it is free of mud, dirt or liquids.
* Make sure all ladder legs rest on a firm, level surface. Don't use ladders on uneven ground or soft, muddy earth.
* Always face a ladder when climbing and descending.
* Confirm that the ladder is fully open and locked before you climb it.
* Angle ladders about 75 degrees from the ground.
* Don't sit or stand on the top of the ladder or on its pail shelf.
* Use the right ladder for the job. Step stools or utility ladders are good for working at low or medium heights, while extension ladders should be used outdoors to reach high places.

And remember, even the general strain caused by these activities can cause adverse reactions to your body! See your chiropractor after strenuous activity to ensure that your alignment is adequate as your fatigued muscles heal!

Our Patients Speak

2009-09-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

September 23, 2009

Dear Dr. Lachuta.

I am writing to tell you how much you have helped me since I first started seeing you for chiropractic treatments. Beginning with my first appointment, I have experienced much improvement in my physical condition.

In addition to the improvements in my spinal alignment, which I expected, I have brought some things to your attention which you treated with fine results. For example, one time I mentioned to you that I had been experiencing some spasms in my left arm. What you did that day resulted in no more spasms in that arm.

I also told you about my toes seeming to be "curling" and possibly becoming "hammer toes." You have been treating that, as well as other conditions. My toes, too, are much more straight.

In general, I know that the professional skill and expertise you have and have been using with me have benefited my body health very significantly. I thank you very much for all you have done and I look forward to seeing you to maintain the good results and to correct any future problems which may occur. Thank you again.

Very truly yours,

Mary Anna Mohrman

(reprinted with permission)

Controversial Vaccines: To Flu Shot or Not?

2009-09-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

Vaccination is a very controversial and emotional issue today. It is not a chiropractic issue, nor has it ever been. It is a freedom of choice issue. You as the parent have the ultimate responsibility for your child’s health and well-being, and you, not your doctor, state, or federal health officials, will live with and be responsible for the consequences of your decision. Vaccines are portrayed as being indispensable and somehow better at disease protection than our innate biological defenses and nutritional resources have accomplished for thousands of years.
The Anthon reports that medical experts with financial ties to the vaccine manufacturers heavily influence the government’s decisions endangering the health of innocent children to enhance profit. In the U.S. alone, they estimated that over $1 billion is generated each year from profits.

“Although I administered them myself during my early years of practice, I have become a steadfast opponent of mass inoculations because of the myriad hazards they present.”
Robert Mendelson, M.D.

“Immunizations promote certain types of chronic diseases. And far from providing a genuine immunity, the vaccines are actually a form of immunosuppression…I could no longer bring myself to give the injections to children even when the parents wished me to.”
Richard Moskowitz, M.D.
“Isn’t it ironic that we require or recommend immunizations in order to start school only to, in some cases, compromise some of the children by the very method we are using to supposedly protect them.”
Mark Thoman, M.D.

Not only are vaccinations not able to completely prevent us from contracting a certain disease, but they also have many ingredients that have known reactions in the body. These ingredients include: Ethel Glycol (antifreeze), formaldehyde (preserving-bodies), acetone (finger nail polish remover), aluminum phosphate (carcinogens), mercury (cancer causing agent), phenol (carbon acid – disinfectant), and Thimerosal (carcinogen). On average before the age of six, your child will have been vaccinated 34 times. Many childhood diseases have declined steadily due to the increases in technology, such as improved sanitation, nutrition and health care, but not because of vaccines. In a whooping cough outbreak in Cincinnati in 1993, 80% of those under the age of five who got whooping cough had been fully vaccinated. Every year 8 cases of Polio occur as a result of the vaccine. There has not been a naturally occurring case of Polio since 1979. Vaccination promises protection against a select number of chronic diseases that, for some mysterious reason, our own immune system and natural health resources cannot deal with effectively on their own. The common side effects that have been documented after vaccinations include chronic
immunological and neurological disorders such as autism, hyperactivity, attention deficit disorders, dyslexia, allergies, cancer and other conditions. These diseases barely existed 30 years ago before mass vaccination programs.
Reactions to vaccinations can consist of persistent screaming, a high-pitched unusual cry, a state of unresponsiveness, fever with or without seizures or convulsions, excessive drowsiness, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, nausea or apparent dizziness. If any of these symptoms occur any time, you should contact your physician, but this is especially important after a recent vaccination. It is estimated that physicians report less than 10% of vaccine damage and 97.5% vaccine related deaths go unreported. The U.S. pays more than $11 million each year in settlements and paid a total of $750 million in damages presently.
CHIROPRACTIC IS THE #1 SOURCE FOR A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING NERVOUS AND IMMUNE SYSTEM
Chiropractic is a natural, simpler and holistic way of improving your child’s immune system. Chiropractors look directly for a SUBLUXATION; this is a misalignment of a bone that is putting pressure on a nerve creating an interference or dysfunction in a body. There are three ways that a child or an adult gets a subluxation: Trauma – birth process (Dr. Towbin states that 80% of all children are subluxated at Birth), slips, or falls, stress – emotional, family dynamics, chemicals or drugs – antibiotics, vaccination, sugar, NutraSweet, 2nd hand smoke, and pollution. Chiropractors are the only health care professionals who can detect and correct your child’s subluxation. Chiropractors look for the cause of your son/daughter’s weakened immune and nervous system. In a recent study, children under chiropractic care can get sick less often and less severely, and they will rarely miss days from school. Recent studies show that they have fewer emotional and learning disabilities and other neurological problems connected with childhood. Chiropractic Kids also have less need for antibiotics, less occurrence of ear infections, tonsillitis and the immune system strength is doubled.
It is clear that American health care consumers are not going to win the right to make informed, independent health care decisions, including vaccination decisions, for themselves and their children unless they actively push for a change in state mandatory vaccination laws and support large scale reform of the mass vaccination system.

MOMS SPEAK OUT

“I feel the body’s own immune system is far better than injecting an unnatural substance. Most common childhood diseases are not life threatening. Once the child has the disease he/she is immune for life.”
S.G.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Bed Wetter?

2009-09-14T17:51:00.001-07:00

Wet linens and a child both physically and emotionally uncomfortable – this is the picture of bed-wetting to millions of children. Nocturnal enuresis, simply stated, is bed-wetting past the usual time a child is potty trained. It is estimated that one out of five children wets regularly. This means that 20% of 5-8 year olds wet their bed. Imagine what this does to a child’s self esteem. Incidentally, the oldest patient that I have ever seen with bed-wetting was a 15 year-old high school student. Over a time period, various reasons have been proposed as a cause of bed-wetting – is it psychological, habitual, behavioral, trauma, etc.? Many methods have been used to treat this affliction. Alarm systems in the bed, hypnosis, psychotherapy, electric shock, drugs, waking the child, etc. However, none of these have had much effect.
Bed-wetting occurs when there is improper function of the valves (sphincters), which control the flow of urine to the bladder. One of these sphincters is under voluntary control, which means you go whenever you want. The other is on autopilot, or is automatic, in other words, the child has no voluntary control over this particular valve. The function of these two is controlled by the child’s nervous system, which keeps both in check and balance.
Beware of ads suggesting that it is okay that children wet the bed, because now there are school age diapers available. These ads seem to suggest that some children’s bladders have not developed properly, so a diaper is the answer. Nonsense! This is called marketing.
Early in my practice, I found (as have most chiropractors who deal with kids) that children who are bed-wetters have responded very well to chiropractic care. The reason is actually quite simple.
One mom said, “My ten-year-old son was fearful of sleeping over his friends house because of his bed-wetting. After six weeks of adjustments, the sheets were dry and my son was able to sleep over without being afraid of wetting the bed.”
Chiropractic deals with removing any interference of the normal functions in the nervous system. Applying this concept to a child with bed-wetting problems can have amazing results.
Remember, 10% of your nervous system controls pain and 90% controls functions like breathing, eating and eliminating wastes. When the spine becomes misaligned, or subluxated, the nervous system becomes short-circuited and does not function properly.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

The hits keep coming...

2009-09-09T14:45:00.000-07:00

Conveniently the same week we began to build our case against ibuprofen and other NSAIDS, the American Chiropractic Association monthly News magazine decided in their new issue to target that other common medicine cabinet companion to ibuprofen--acetaminophen--in an article provokingly titled "Poison in the Medicine Cabinet". Dr. William Morgan makes the case against acetaminophen based largely on objective and statistical grounds....can't argue with the facts! Read on to learn more and discover if you too are guilty of unintentional overdosing like so many Americans.

Overdosing on acetaminophen leads to serious health complications. In fact, it is the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S. and Great Britain, with 50% of all acute liver failure in the U.S. attributed to acetaminophen. Even adhering to the proper dosage recommendations listed on the bottle has been linked to causing liver damage, liver failure, and deaths. Some numbers attributed to acetaminophen consumption per year:
56,000 = liver injuries requiring emergency treatment
26,000 = hospitalizations
458 = deaths

The problem is, acetaminophen is such a popularly used drug that unintentionial overdosing is easier than it seems. Acetaminophen tops the ingredient list for the household staple Tylenol, but it also appears in small amounts in dozens of common over the counter products, including head and backache pills, cold and flu remedies, and sore-throat medications. Now imagine when you are sick--can you see yourself taking a Tylenol or two for a fever? Something to soothe the cough? A decongestant for the sinuses? How about one of those flu pills to curb any symptoms? Without a thought, a patient can easily overdose. Account for the added risk of fasting, alcohol consumption or genetic predisposition to liver disease, and it becomes easy to destroy your own liver.

In response to developing awareness of the potential damage caused by this potent drug, the FDA in 2002 recommended stronger warning labels for acetaminophen products. (This is probably when awareness of acetaminophen usage guidelines appeared on your radar.) In 2009, the FDA made a second recommendation, that the standard dosage be lowered.

On paper, chiropractic care for pain management may seem at a heightened cost compared to "usual and customary care", or, use of acetaminophen, ibruprofen, and other analgesics or NSAIDS. But when you look at the long term cost, both financial and in personal health, of caring for liver dysfunction or failure, transplant or even death, then chiropractic care becomes the much more valuable option.

Some exceptional risk factors for Acetaminophen poisoning are:
-Fasting (either intentionally or in response to illness or pain)
-Dieting
-Alcohol Consumption
-Mixing Medications
-AIDS
-Liver Disease
-Malnutrition
-Anorexia
-Kidney Disease

According the Morgan, "Make no mistake about it: This medication can be dangerous, and the consequences for its adverse effects are grave. Surprising is the fact that we really do not have a firm grasp of how acetaminophen works or what the appropriate dose is...Chiropractic, as a profession, remains committed to wellness and avoiding the unnecessary use of medications. It is our responsibility to share this information with both our patients and their medical providers. Acetaminophen should be used sparingly, if at all."

You can read the full article "Poison in the Medicine Cabinet" by William Morgan, DC, at The American Chiropractic Association online at http://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=3549

Now what do we always tell you about IBUPROFEN!?

2009-09-04T15:26:00.000-07:00

Finally! Some evidence from the exercise physiology community to support what we've been telling you all along about popping painkillers! It may seem harmless to take a couple ibuprofen daily, but what are you really taking it for? Is it really helping what you think it will? Does it prevent your pain throughout the day? How do you know? Take a look at this article from the New York Times Online Health page from September 1, 2009. As you read, think about how the physiological principles of ibuprofen use documented apply to YOUR use of painkillers in prevention of daily perceived back pain.

Phys Ed: Does Ibuprofen Help or Hurt During Exercise?

By Gretchen Reynolds

Several years ago, David Nieman set out to study racers at the Western States Endurance Run, a 100-mile test of human stamina held annually in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. The race directors had asked Nieman, a well-regarded physiologist and director of the Human Performance Laboratory at the North Carolina Research Campus, to look at the stresses that the race places on the bodies of participants. Nieman and the race authorities had anticipated that the rigorous distance and altitude would affect runners’ immune systems and muscles, and they did. But one of Nieman’s other findings surprised everyone.

After looking at racers’ blood work, he determined that some of the ultramarathoners were supplying their own physiological stress, in tablet form. Those runners who’d popped over-the-counter ibuprofen pills before and during the race displayed significantly more inflammation and other markers of high immune system response afterward than the runners who hadn’t taken anti-inflammatories. The ibuprofen users also showed signs of mild kidney impairment and, both before and after the race, of low-level endotoxemia, a condition in which bacteria leak from the colon into the bloodstream.
These findings were “disturbing,” Nieman says, especially since “this wasn’t a minority of the racers.” Seven out of ten of the runners were using ibuprofen before and, in most cases, at regular intervals throughout the race, he says. “There was widespread use and very little understanding of the consequences.”
Athletes at all levels and in a wide variety of sports swear by their painkillers. A study published earlier this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that, at the 2008 Ironman Triathlon in Brazil, almost 60 percent of the racers reported using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (or NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen) at some point in the three months before the event, with almost half downing pills during the race itself. In another study, about 13 percent of participants in a 2002 marathon in New Zealand had popped NSAIDs before the race. A study of professional Italian soccer players found that 86 percent used anti-inflammatories during the 2002-2003 season.
A wider-ranging look at all of the legal substances prescribed to players during the 2002 and 2006 Men’s World Cup tournaments worldwide found that more than half of these elite players were taking NSAIDS at least once during the tournament, with more than 10 percent using them before every match.
“For a lot of athletes, taking painkillers has become a ritual,” says Stuart Warden, an assistant professor and director of physical therapy research at Indiana University, who has extensively studied the physiological impacts of the drugs. “They put on their uniform” or pull on their running shoes and pop a few Advil. “It’s like candy” or Vitamin I, as some athletes refer to ibuprofen.
Why are so many active people swallowing so many painkillers?
One of the most common reasons cited by the triathletes in Brazil was “pain prevention.” Similarly, when the Western States runners were polled, most told the researchers that “they thought ibuprofen would get them through the pain and discomfort of the race,” Nieman says, “and would prevent soreness afterward.” But the latest research into the physiological effects of ibuprofen and other NSAIDs suggests that the drugs in fact, have the opposite effect. In a number of studies conducted both in the field and in human performance laboratories in recent years, NSAIDs did not lessen people’s perception of pain during activity or decrease muscle soreness later. “We had researchers at water stops” during the Western States event, Nieman says, asking the racers how the hours of exertion felt to them. “There was no difference between the runners using ibuprofen and those who weren’t. So the painkillers were not useful for reducing pain” during the long race, he says, and afterward, the runners using ibuprofen reported having legs that were just as sore as those who hadn’t used the drugs.
Moreover, Warden and other researchers have found that, in laboratory experiments on animal tissues, NSAIDs actually slowed the healing of injured muscles, tendons, ligament, and bones. “NSAIDs work by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins,” substances that are involved in pain and also in the creation of collagen, Warden says. Collagen is the building block of most tissues. So fewer prostaglandins mean less collagen, “which inhibits the healing of tissue and bone injuries,” Warden says, including the micro-tears and other trauma to muscles and tissues that can occur after any strenuous workout or race.
The painkillers also blunt the body’s response to exercise at a deeper level. Normally, the stresses of exercise activate a particular molecular pathway that increases collagen, and leads, eventually, to creating denser bones and stronger tissues. If “you’re taking ibuprofen before every workout, you lessen this training response,” Warden says. Your bones don’t thicken and your tissues don’t strengthen as they should. They may be less able to withstand the next workout. In essence, the pills athletes take to reduce the chances that they’ll feel sore may increase the odds that they’ll wind up injured — and sore.
All of which has researchers concerned. Warden wrote in an editorial this year on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine that “there is no indication or rationale for the current prophylactic use of NSAIDs by athletes, and such ritual use represents misuse.”
When, then, are ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory painkillers justified? “When you have inflammation and pain from an acute injury,” Warden says. “In that situation, NSAIDs are very effective.” But to take them “before every workout or match is a mistake.”

Growing Pains

2009-09-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

How many of you have experienced the heartbreak of having your little one cry at bedtime with what seems to be indescribable pains in her/his legs?

You have probably tried all the standard parent remedies: wet towels, walking, reading to your child, cuddling, massaging the legs, all to no avail. The pain still persists. Eventually, your child finally falls asleep out of sheer fatigue and you simply dread this same event occurring tomorrow. Your heartstrings and nerves have had it! Finally, out of pure frustration, you seek professional help only to be told that “it’s simply growing pains” and that your child will eventually “grow out of it.” You can’t wait.

Worried parents often hear such comments. You have probably been told that your child’s legs hurt because the bones, ligaments, muscles, etc., are growing and therefore “stretching,” so it is perfectly normal that they should hurt. This has traditionally been explained away as a normal part of childhood. Does this sound all too familiar?

Many concerned parents believe this theory, for on the surface it seems sound. When you really think about it, however, those explanations simply do not make any sense. After all, when did it ever hurt to grow? And why only the legs? Don’t the arms, the nose, the fingers and other body parts also grow? Why don’t they hurt?
The vast majority of children with “growing pains” are in the very active, physical years. The sudden bumps, jolts, and stresses of vigorous play often produce vertebral subluxations (misalignments) of some of the spinal bones. These vertebral subluxations affect the way nerves control the function of your child’s legs and knees. In adults, this is called sciatica: pain in the leg.

Many parents are surprised to learn that most of the problems I see in adults can be traced to some childhood incident, which caused a vertebral subluxation. Consider this: those of you who are bothered by low back and/or leg pain today (as adults), most likely also experienced “growing pains” when you were little. You may not realize that having your subluxations corrected when you were a child, may very well have eliminated the difficulties you are experiencing now!

If your child is experiencing pain in the legs, or “restless legs,” a visit to a chiropractor with pediatric experience should be a priority.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Stress...what does it mean for us?

2009-08-25T17:09:00.000-07:00

Stress is the rate of wear and tear on the body as a result of anxiety, worry or exhaustion from a difficult or challenging situation. If the source of the stress isn't found and corrected, it may irritate or damage a person's nervous system, which leads to a wide variety of health problems.
How many people actually understand the origins of stress? And, how many actually understand its influence on their daily lives? Very few people actually understand the destruction that is taking place, not only in their lives, but also to their body.
Dr. Mason in his book The Guide to Stress Reduction states, “Stress is directly or indirectly related to 80-90% of all diseases.” High blood pressure affects at least 15% of the adult population in the U.S. and results in 6,000 deaths per year. It is rarely caused by any single condition, but can be related to emotional and physical factors, such as stress. Hans Selye, leading researcher of the effects of stress upon the body, documented the three stages a person goes through in response to stress:
1. Alarm -- where the body's fight or flight mechanisms are activated;
2. Resistance -- where the body adapts to stress or successfully fights it, returning the body to normal;
3. Exhaustion -- due to prolonged stress, low resistance or malfunction.
These cause the body to secrete adrenal hormones, causing the body to lose its ability to digest. Circulation to the heart is decreased, the body's immune defenses are reduced, and the amount of oxygen carried to cells is limited. The body begins showing signs of dysfunction and is more susceptible to infections and disease, which causes wear and tear on the body. Many people aren't aware of stress until they are confronted with the pains of the symptoms: headaches, fatigue, pain and tension in the neck, shoulders and low back, irritability, allergies, sinus, digestive and sleeping problems.
According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2000 Omnibus "Sleep in America" poll, 67% of adults get fewer than the recommended eight hours of sleep a night; 43% report the lack of sleep interferes with daily activities.
On-the-job stress accounts for some of this worker exhaustion. According to a survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, 46% report their jobs are stressful at least some of the time. Two out of five say that they are always or often stressed by work.
Stress is a part of your life, which cannot be avoided despite the common misconception that it can. All we can do is minimize its implications by knowing how to manage the effects our jobs, money, relationships, children -- and even foods and drugs -- have on our lives. Exercise, meditation and eating properly will also help you manage and deal with stress more efficiently.
Chiropractic adjustments correct the subluxations caused by an overload of stress, which alter posture and the shape of the spine and disrupt the normal function of the body. Correcting subluxations, or misalignments, reduces tension and eliminates the source of stress not only in the spine but also throughout the body and nervous system.
Stress is a good thing and we all need it to survive, but you’re body’s inability to deal with it is what makes it bad. Regular chiropractic adjustments will allow your body to deal with every day stress more efficiently.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Thoughts to Digest...

2009-08-24T14:51:00.001-07:00

....terrible pun.

BUT, remember how you're always hearing about chiropractic philosophy stemming from belief in the body's inherent capabilities of self-healing? Here's more proof that you body actually carries these powers!

New research suggests that our most famous long-time labeled "vestigial organ," the appendix, may in fact serve a very vital function. This function? It has been recently suggested that "the appendix still served as a vital safehouse where good bacteria could lie in wait until they were needed to repopulate the gut after a nasty case of diarrhea. Past studies had also found the appendix can help make, direct and train white blood cells." If this is the case, the appendix, long deemed functionless by past and modern medicine, actually carries a hefty healing and repair responsibility. Who would have thought!

Read up!

The Appendix: Useful and in Fact Promising
LiveScience.com

Charles Q. Choi
Special to LiveScience
livescience.com – Mon Aug 24, 10:30 am ET

The body's appendix has long been thought of as nothing more than a worthless evolutionary artifact, good for nothing save a potentially lethal case of inflammation.

Now researchers suggest the appendix is a lot more than a useless remnant. Not only was it recently proposed to actually possess a critical function, but scientists now find it appears in nature a lot more often than before thought. And it's possible some of this organ's ancient uses could be recruited by physicians to help the human body fight disease more effectively.

In a way, the idea that the appendix is an organ whose time has passed has itself become a concept whose time is over.

"Maybe it's time to correct the textbooks," said researcher William Parker, an immunologist at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. "Many biology texts today still refer to the appendix as a 'vestigial organ.'"

Slimy sac

The vermiform appendix is a slimy dead-end sac that hangs between the small and large intestines. No less than Charles Darwin first suggested that the appendix was a vestigial organ from an ancestor that ate leaves, theorizing that it was the evolutionary remains of a larger structure, called a cecum, which once was used by now-extinct predecessors for digesting food.

"Everybody likely knows at least one person who had to get their appendix taken out - slightly more than 1 in 20 people do - and they see there are no ill effects, and this suggests that you don't need it," Parker said.

However, Parker and his colleagues recently suggested that the appendix still served as a vital safehouse where good bacteria could lie in wait until they were needed to repopulate the gut after a nasty case of diarrhea. Past studies had also found the appendix can help make, direct and train white blood cells.

Now, in the first investigation of the appendix over the ages, Parker explained they discovered that it has been around much longer than anyone had suspected, hinting that it plays a critical function.

"The appendix has been around for at least 80 million years, much longer than we would estimate if Darwin's ideas about the appendix were correct," Parker said.

Moreover, the appendix appears in nature much more often than previously acknowledged. It has evolved at least twice, once among Australian marsupials such as the wombat and another time among rats, lemmings, meadow voles, Cape dune mole-rats and other rodents, as well as humans and certain primates.

"When species are divided into groups called 'families,' we find that more than 70 percent of all primate and rodent groups contain species with an appendix," Parker said.

Several living species, including several lemurs, certain rodents and the scaly-tailed flying squirrel, still have an appendix attached to a large cecum, which is used in digestion. Darwin had thought appendices appeared in only a small handful of animals.

"We're not saying that Darwin's idea of evolution is wrong - that would be absurd, as we're using his ideas on evolution to do this work," Parker told LiveScience. "It's just that Darwin simply didn't have the information we have now."

He added, "If Darwin had been aware of the species that have an appendix attached to a large cecum, and if he had known about the widespread nature of the appendix, he probably would not have thought of the appendix as a vestige of evolution."

What causes appendicitis?

Darwin was also not aware that appendicitis, or a potentially deadly inflammation of the appendix, is not due to a faulty appendix, but rather to cultural changes associated with industrialized society and improved sanitation, Parker said.

"Those changes left our immune systems with too little work and too much time their hands - a recipe for trouble," he said. "Darwin had no way of knowing that the function of the appendix could be rendered obsolete by cultural changes that included widespread use of sewer systems and clean drinking water."

Now that scientists are uncovering the normal function of the appendix, Parker notes a critical question to ask is whether anything can be done to prevent appendicitis. He suggests it might be possible to devise ways to incite our immune systems today in much the same manner that they were challenged back in the Stone Age.

"If modern medicine could figure out a way to do that, we would see far fewer cases of allergies, autoimmune disease, and appendicitis," Parker said.

The scientists detailed their findings online August 12 in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology.

Food for Thought

2009-08-21T17:27:00.000-07:00

An interesting article pulled off the New York Times Website today... think what you will about the reliability and validity of the test, or the comparison of rat results to humans and so forth... but its still an interesting (and maybe not shocking) concept.

The New York Times--Health
August 13, 2009, 1:00 pm
Fatty Foods Affect Memory and Exercise
By Tara Parker-Pope

Eating fatty food appears to take an almost immediate toll on both short-term memory and exercise performance, according to new research on rats and people.

Other studies have suggested that long-term consumption of a high-fat diet is associated with weight gain, heart disease and declines in cognitive function. But the new research shows how indulging in fatty foods over the course of a few days can affect the brain and body long before the extra pounds show up.

To determine the effect of a fatty diet on memory and muscle performance, researchers studied 32 rats that were fed low-fat rat chow and trained for two months to complete a challenging maze. The maze included eight different paths that ended with a treat of sweetened condensed milk. The goal was for the rat to find each treat without doubling back into a corridor where it had already been. The maze was wiped down with alcohol, so the rat had to rely on memory rather than sense of smell.

All of the rats studied had mastered the maze, finding at least six or seven of the eight treats before making a mistake. Some rats even found all eight on the first try.

Then half the rats were switched to high-fat rat chow (comprised of 55 percent fat), while the remaining rats stayed on their regular chow (which had 7.5 percent fat). After four days, the rats eating the fatty chow began to falter on the maze test — all of them did worse than when they were on their regular chow. On average, the rats on the fatty diet found only five treats before making a mistake. The rats who stayed with their regular food continued the same high level of performance on the maze, finding six or more treats before making a mistake.

Half of the rats had also been trained to run on a treadmill. After only a few days on the high-fat diet, the rats performed 30 percent worse on the treadmill. After five days of testing, the treadmill performance of the rats eating fatty foods had declined by half. The study results appear in The Faseb Journal, which is the journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.

“We expected to see changes, but maybe not so dramatic and not in such a short space of time,’’ said Andrew Murray, the study’s lead author and a lecturer in physiology at Cambridge University in Britain. “It was really striking how quickly these effects happened.’’

Although the human data aren’t yet published, the researchers have also performed similar studies of high-fat diets in healthy young men who then performed exercise and cognitive tests. Dr. Murray said he is still reviewing the data, but the short-term effect of a fatty diet on humans appears to be similar to that found in the rat studies.

It’s not clear why fatty foods would cause a short-term decline in cognitive function. One theory is that a high-fat diet can trigger insulin resistance, which means the body becomes less efficient at using the glucose, or blood sugar, so important to brain function.

Fatty foods appear to have a short-term effect on exercise performance because the body reacts to high fat content in the blood by releasing certain proteins that essentially make the metabolism less efficient. “It’s thought to be a protective mechanism to get rid of excess fat,’’ Dr. Murray said. “But it was making muscles less efficient at using oxygen and fuel to make the energy needed to run.’’

The findings are particularly relevant to people who may not worry about binging on fatty foods because they exercise regularly.

“Exercise is a good way of burning it off, because you’re burning the calories off,’’ Dr. Murray said. “But in terms of actually trying to put in a good time if you’re running, it will limit your performance.’’

Relieve Sinus Pressure with Chiropractic Care

2009-08-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

For all of my life I have lived in Central Canada. Mold, Pollen and Ragweed are abundant everywhere. I have found that Winnipeg is the greatest place that you can live if you want sinusitis. In the Winnipeg region, one out of every two people has sinus problems on a regular basis. So why is it that the other person doesn’t have sinuses. Well, in my opinion, it comes down to several very important areas. The first is the bodies ability to process and eliminate pollutants and irritants in our environment, second is the foods you eat and most importantly the health of the nervous and immune system. Current research states that the immune system is controlled and regulated by the nervous system. The nervous system is the master controller of the body and all functions are controlled by the nervous system. Your sinuses are controlled by the nerves that supply them. If the nerve that supplies the sinuses (there are 8 of them) is pinched or irritated, then the sinuses will not eliminate mucus and irritants properly. This will cause mucus buildup and constant inflammation and blockage.
I have also found that diet has a huge impact on the health of your sinuses. The average American diet is very high in dairy products with minimal amounts of water. But are dairy products good for my bones? Minimal amounts of dairy are okay, but soy products have a greater nutritive value than dairy with no added chemicals. Today’s dairy products have high amounts of antibiotics, steroids and growth hormones that farmers use to continually keep the cows producing large amounts of milk and reduce infection. When they give the cow these chemicals, it is passed on in the milk. That is why we are told not to take drugs when we are pregnant or breast-feeding.
So what does chiropractic care have to do with my sinuses? Chiropractic care restores the body’s natural ability to eliminate and expel these irritants without drugs or medication. This is done by a chiropractic adjustment. In a research study, significant relief of symptoms was achieved after the adjustment was performed.
Here is what several patients had to say about their health.
“I was also diagnosed with chronic sinusitis, and you can imagine what that was doing to my ears. After two weeks, my nose was almost completely clear, and no more caked, green nose. Mom is happy and I’m a better boy. We have also avoided allergy testing completely! Allergy testing would have been very painful to mom and me with a more than $400 bill just to see what I’m allergic to.”
Another patient of the office stated “I have taken sinus medication for years with minimal relief, but after consistent adjustments, my sinuses are 95% better with no medications or side effects. The side effects from the medications were a mile long. I would recommend chiropractic to everyone in the Seattle.”

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Your Chiropractic Future

2009-08-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

The Following except is taken from Gerard Clum, D.C., President of Life Chiropractic College West and is published at http://www.lifewest.edu/myfuture.html. Take a moment to read his comments on the need for your voice in the push for chiropractic care to be a focal point in the current healthcare reform.

My Future-Your Future-The Nation’s Future

Colleagues,

Over the past few months we have all heard and read a great deal about national health reform. We have all felt a bit frustrated in trying to enter the debate or to respond to proposals because so little detail has been available. At this point in the game, that is changing by the hour and it is time to enter the fray!

It appears that there are two windows of opportunity between now and the end of the year for health care reform legislation to be brought forward in Congress. The first is as a part of the budget process at the end of the summer and the second is as a part of Medicare-related tidying up at the end of the year. Either way, the time to get involved is now.

President Obama got elected in large part due to the Internet and social networking opportunities. In the discussion of health care reform it is easy to throw up your hands, assume the big players of pharma, medicine and hospitals will have their way, and the opportunity for input by the average citizen-consumer or citizen-provider will be lost in the shuffle.

Mr. Obama tells us it isn’t going to be that way and that each and every one of us has the opportunity for input, the opportunity to be heard. We can choose to defer to those who will speak up, or we can speak up. I am asking you, pleading with you and begging you to speak up.

Let’s use the tools that got the president elected to speak to him and our elected officials and their staff members who will be penning the language that will shape the future of health care in America. Lest you think that nothing is happening, consider that on June 18, Senator Hatch offered an amendment to Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee of the Senate to include chiropractors in community health centers. At the same time in the House Armed Services Committee language was put forward that expands chiropractic services for the military. Both measures were accepted and are moving forward as part of larger legislative packages.
Getting Involved--The ABC’s

First and foremost, YOU need to write a letter to Mr. Obama, your representative and your senators.

What to say: Make it short and sweet. More than one page is wasted. Let them know that inclusion of chiropractic services as an essential service on a direct access basis in health reform will increase efficiency, lower cost and increase safety in health care—especially for neuromusculoskeletal problems. This will be accomplished because chiropractic care is high-touch, low-tech, offers an option to medication and the related side effects and offers higher levels of patient satisfaction than other forms of care.

How to send it: The best mode of transmission is by fax to their Washington offices, next is by U.S. post to their local offices, next is by e-mail.
Note: Legislators are not 20-somethings; they appreciate e-mail but they understand a stack of mail better. Mail sent by U.S. Post to Washington, D.C. is redirected to a security clearance center and is delayed by weeks. Don’t send mail to their Washington, D.C. addresses

Where to send it: For the local address of your member of the House of Representatives visit www.house.gov; for your Senators visit www.senate.gov; for the President, address your letter as follows:

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

Before you send it: Use your spellchecker, make sure it is less than one page, leave your life’s story out of it, politely tell them what you want and say thank you!
Second step

We all need to think strategically. We all need to leverage our relationships to impact this situation. Stop for a moment and think about the spheres of influence in your life—your family, your church, your neighborhood, your civic organizations, your classmates, your friends, your Facebook and Twitter contacts. One of the goals for you will be to bring the urgency of this message to all of them.

After you have identified all the sub-worlds within your world, think about how you can best contact them and enlist them in this effort. Some will be people you need to speak to and then follow up with an e-mail or a tweet, others will be Internet-oriented contacts you can address electronically. Consider customizing your contact in a way that will maximize their response.

Send them a copy of the letters you sent to your Representative, Senators and the President. Encourage them to do the same. Send them the URL for this page www.lifewest.edu/myfuture.html and encourage them to get involved. Their involvement can be for all sorts of reasons, to protect their own access to chiropractic care, to protect your access to chiropractic care, to protect your career, to ensure fairness and freedom of choice in health care, to make you happy, or to get you to stop e-mailing them about whether they have followed through as you requested. Then keep following through with them and ask them to confirm that they have written their elected officials as well.
Third step

Lend your support to centralized efforts in the profession to bring our message to our elected officials. Visit the ICA’s website at www.chiropractic.org or go directly to www.adjustthevote.org/cdd/subscribe Visit the ACA’s website at www.acatoday.org or go directly to www.chirovoice.org and sign up to be a part of their efforts.

Background and Briefing Materials:

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC), the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA) and the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) have all agreed upon a “white paper” to address government on a unified basis with respect to health care reform. A copy of this 28 page report can be accessed at: www.lifewest.edu/myfuture/summitreport.html

President Obama recently addressed the annual meeting of the American Medical Association on health care reform. A copy of his remarks can be found at www.lifewest.edu/myfuture/ObamaAMA.html

A Recent Time/CNN article on health care reform identified 5 key roadblocks to the achievement of health care reform. A copy of the Time article can be accessed at:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1902708,00.html

The New Yorker Magazine recently ran an article that Mr. Obama cited as detailing “the problem” and “what we need to fix in health care”. A copy of that article can be found at:
www.lifewest.edu/myfuture/newyorker.html

“On the Plains of Hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions who, at the Door of victory, sat down to wait, and waiting—died.”

Gerard Clum, D.C.
President
Life Chiropractic College West
25001 Industrial Blvd
Hayward, CA 94545
gclum@lifewest.edu
(510) 780-4500 ext. 4550

Dr. Stephen Lachuta is a graduate of Life Chiropractic College West. For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Feeling the Effects of your Summer Sports Activity??

2009-08-10T10:18:00.000-07:00

The MOST IMPORTANT piece of golf equipment is YOUR SPINE!

Professional golf instructors estimate that 80-100% of golfers' swing problems begin from faulty posture. Therefore, having a Chiropractor evaluate your posture should be the first and most important step toward building an optimal golf swing. Most postural faults are caused by muscle and connective tissue imbalances that pull a golfers body out of alignment, or a misalignment in spinal bones. The result of an unbalanced or asymmetrical standing posture will always be unbalanced and decreased performance. If the golf instructors are correct, a poor posture, when addressing the ball, will result in a poor and/or inconsistent golf swing. Moreover, sooner or later, golfing with a poor posture and swing motion will cause injuries. Research states that 80% of the population has lower back pain.

An onlooker may assume that the never-ending quest to put the little white ball into the cup calls upon little of the athleticism required by other warm-weather sports such as tennis or cycling. Not true. Many avid golfers contort their bodies into oddly twisted postures, generating a great deal of torque-the twisting force that opens a bottle cap-on the back. Couple this motion with a bent-over stance, repeat 90 to 120 times over three or four hours, add the fatigue that comes with several miles of walking, and you've got a good workout-and a recipe for potential lower back trouble.

As America's love affair with the game continues to grow and are playing in a big tournament, chiropractors advocate taking a proactive approach that will prepare your body for many years of pain-free play. "Most golfers go until they are in pain, then look for immediate relief. Northgate Chiropractic advocates a different approach-by helping patients look at what they can do right now to reduce the likelihood of future injury.” We want people to be able to play without pain and have the greatest potential for a lifetime.

If you take this approach, you're in good company. As a chiropractor I have found the direct connection between the spine and performance. Nerves control every muscle in your spine. A pinched nerve will decrease performance. Stan Sheppard states, “The difference between winning and losing could be just one stroke.” Many professional golfers such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson rely on chiropractors to increase their performance. To find out if chiropractic could increase your performance in golf please call our office to schedule an appointment at (206) 367-2224.

Here Comes Allergy Season!!

2009-08-07T16:48:00.001-07:00

Has the quick shift in weather got your allergies acting up early?

A healthy immune system means high resistance to disease and infection, an enhanced ability to deal with environmental stresses, and greater health and well-being. The immune system is one of the most complicated, sensitive, and mysterious systems in the body. It is influenced by our neurological and hormonal systems, by our diet, and even by emotional and mental stress. Science's understanding of it is in its infancy, yet many believe it holds the ultimate key to life and health.

Thus we can see that if the immune system were to malfunction we could be in very serious trouble. The most common disorder of the immune system is one that is a lot less frightening: the allergy.

Substances that cause an allergic reaction are called allergens. An allergic reaction (sensitivity) occurs when the immune system overreacts to an allergen and produces too many neutralizing chemicals (especially histamines) to counteract it. Some examples of allergens are dust; pollen; medicines; dog or cat dander; dairy; soaps; detergents and other kitchen chemicals; and even foods like strawberries or chocolate (heaven forbid!).
A common example of an allergy is hayfever. Although most people who breathe ragweed pollen aren't bothered by the microscopic bits of plants that constitute pollen, some have an immune system that overreacts to it. The runny eyes, irritated mucus membranes, redness, pounding in the head, fullness in the sinuses - are produced by the neutralizing chemicals.

The cause of allergies and immune system disease has not been conclusively determined. However, there are those who attribute the proliferation of allergies and other immune system diseases to the mass vaccination campaigns of the past few decades.

Medicine has no cure for allergies, only treatment. According to Robert Mendelsohn, M.D “You can depend on most doctors to largely ignore the cause and instead rush madly to treatment.” Unfortunately, the treatment is often worse than the disease, especially since the relatively safe folk-measures of yesteryear have been replaced by the sophisticated, dangerous drugs of modern medicine.

Overreaction to allergens causes the body to release the chemical histamine (as well as other chemicals) that cause inflammation
and other symptoms. Antihistamines are often prescribed to counter these effects. In most cases the antihistamines dry up the nasal passages and decrease the discomfort from itching, but do not correct the immune system overreaction.

Antihistamines, steroid hormones, and long-term desensitization all carry significant negative side effects.

Regarding allergy shots (desensitization), Dr. Mendelsohn states, "Although millions of patients have received the shots over the past 60 years, there are no, good, long-term studies to determine possible neurologic or other consequences of this treatment." Also mentioned was "a striking incidence of positive 'rheumatoid factors' in allergic children receiving shots.” Clinical studies have shown that breast fed babies have fewer allergy problems than formula-fed babies. Although chiropractic is not a treatment for diseases, allergies included, it does, by permitting the nervous system to function with less stress, permit the immune system to function more effectively - and this is something all allergy sufferers need.

Many studies have revealed the effect of a healthy nervous system on immune system health. Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York's Preventive Medicine Institute and professor of medicine at New York University, measured the immune systems of people under chiropractic care as compared to those in the general population and those with cancer and other serious diseases.

His study found that chiropractic patients have a 200% greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic care. Allergies can make people's lives miserable. The standard medical approach may give short-term relief but is controversial and dangerous, and its long-term effects are untested. Common sense tells us to explore the safest, most natural means of dealing with problems before resorting to more extreme measures. A two-fold approach to allergies is often recommended: first, the avoidance of those substances that cause severe reactions and, second, correction of the basic cause - a malfunctioning immune system.

As one authority states, “A healthy body is capable of neutralizing these toxic substances and a body which has malfunctioning defense mechanisms cannot. The emphasis on allergies must be on building a healthy body, not on trying to use evasive tactics by eliminating all the allergens."

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Facebook!

2009-08-05T17:10:00.001-07:00

Northgate Chiropractic on Facebook

Eat.Taste.Heal-An Ayurvedic Cookbook for Modern Living

2009-08-05T16:39:00.000-07:00

Check out our new favorite read:

Eat Taste Heal-An Ayurvedic Cookbook for Modern Living

The website describes the book as follows:

Eat • Taste • Heal: An Ayurvedic [Guidebook and]Cookbook for Modern Living provides modern applications of Ayurveda, humankind’s most ancient system of healthy living. A complete guidebook and cookbook in one, Eat • Taste • Heal offers every reader an individualized blueprint for achieving vibrant health. Fulfilling the adage, “Let Food Be Thy Medicine,” Eat • Taste • Heal offers recipes that are inviting to both the kitchen novice and master chef.

..The authors are a unique trio: physician, patient, and chef. Dr. Thomas Yarema M.D., director of Kerala Ayurveda, [created an integrative dietary program] rooted in common sense.] Daniel Rhoda, [an Ayurvedic practitioner] who found healing through Ayurveda, demystifies the ancient science that helped restore his health. Chef Johnny Brannigan, an internationally trained Ayurvedic chef, has created more than 150 recipes to empower individual healing through the exploration of taste.

Eat • Taste • Heal is the recipient of 7 National Awards.

A personal favorite of Dr. Stephen Lachuta, Eat, Taste, Heal has been one book he's found on ayurvedic health and diet that actually makes sense for both those familiar and unfamiliar with Ayurvedic Medicine. And the recipes are good too!

Visit the Eat, Taste, Heal website at:
http://www.eattasteheal.com/index.html
to learn more not only about the cookbook (guidebook), but to explore and learn about Ayurveda, digestion and toxin accumulation, determine your Dosha, discover which foods will balance your dosha, and some good detox tips.

This book comes with a great recommendation from Northgate Chiropractic!

8 Simple Steps to a Better Nights Sleep!

2009-08-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

8 Simple Steps to a Better Nights Sleep!

Ten to fifteen percent of Americans suffer from chronic insomnia. Do You? Most of us experience an occasional sleepless night, but prolonged bouts of insomnia can lead to decreased mental function, frazzled nerves, and lowered immunity. The good news is that you don’t have to pop a pill of count sheep: Just follow these simple, natural steps to get more Z’s.

- Exercise Regularly, but don’t exercise within six hours of your bedtime. Physical activity speeds up your heart rate and metabolism, making it difficult to wind down at night. Try to schedule your workouts in the morning, so you can benefit from that extra energy during the day.
- Avoid caffeine after noon. Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate. Some people clear caffeine from their bodies slowly (you know who you are). These people should avoid caffeine completely.
- Avoid alcohol. Many people find that alcohol helps them relax at night. Although it may help induce sleep initially, alcohol disrupts your normal sleep patterns, leaving you groggy and tired in the morning.
- Keep regular sleeping hours. Your body likes routine and will respond better to a consistent bedtime.
- Don’t work on the computer or watch television for at least one hour before going to bed. These activities stimulate your mind at a time when you should be preparing for rest.
- Avoid eating large, late evening meals. Do eat a light snack a couple hours before retiring to avoid low blood sugar levels in the middle of the night, which can wake you up.
- Decrease light in your bedroom. A dark environment is necessary for the production of melatonin, a hormone that encourages a healthy sleep cycle.
- Try yoga or meditation to clear your mind and help prepare your body for sleep. Like regular sleeping hours, a steady practice will yield the greatest benefits.

In addition, if your insomnia is caused or made worse by aches and pains at night, it may be time for a new mattress and/or pillow—and a visit to your doctor of chiropractic. Your sleeping surface should support the entire body—including the spine, neck, head, and limbs—evenly, with no gaps. For recommendations tailored to your specific needs, talk to your doctor of chiropractic. Chiropractic can also help promote better sleep by correcting imbalances and tension in the body, so that you can relax completely.

*Fun Fact*
The bullfrog is the only animal that never sleeps!

Posture!

2009-08-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

Mirror, mirror on the wall…who has the best posture of them all? Every day when we look at ourselves in the mirror, we look at our posture. Our posture, whether good or bad, is the window to our health. As part of my daily life, I enjoy looking at people’s posture. Depending on his/her posture, I am enlightened to the health of the patient.
Historically, poor posture has been associated with a variety of health-related conditions. Research shows the relation to posture and general health (1).
Another researched study also suggested that poor posture was associated with many pathological processes and that good posture could prevent disease processes (2).
As part of the current technology, our office uses a posture analysis (called Toes 2 Nose), which uses a digital camera to take a “snapshot” of your posture. Major spinal deviations in your posture are then identified, and the proper corrective exercise program is given to the patient to correct his/her imbalances. Better posture means better health, less fatigue, and builds resistance to infection (3).
The research shows that proper posture decreases the susceptible athlete to injury (4-8), while improving performance. The ability to maintain proper muscle tone requires a nervous system free of interference. Restoration of tone is dependent upon correction of vertebral subluxations. The beauty of this machine is that it incorporates modern technology with two basic principles:
1. The body is self healing and self-regulating;
2. The nervous system is the master controller of the body.
Incomplete as this summary may be, it strongly suggests that aberrant posture may adversely affect health-related quality of life (9).
Better posture is for everyone. It will allow you to live your life to the fullest, and open the window to your health.

References
1. Jenness ME: “The role of thermography and postural movement in structural diagnosis.” In: Goldstein M (ed): “The Research Status of Spinal Manipulative Therapy.” DHEW Publication No. (NIH) 76-998. 1975.
2. Kuhns JG: “Diseases of posture.” Clin Orthop 1962;25:64.
3. Garner JR: “Posture and fatigue.” International Journal of Medicine and Surgery 1932 (Jan);45:27.
4. Watson AWS: “Sports injuries related to flexibility, posture, acceleration, clinical defects, and previous injury, in high-level players of body contact sports.” Int J Sports Med 2001;22:222.
5. Shambaugh JP, Lein A, Herbert JH: “Structural measures as predictors of sports injury in basketball players.” Med Sci Sports Exercise 1991;23:522.
6. Powers CM, Maffucci R, Hampton S: “Rearfoot posture in subjects with patello-femoral pain.” J Orth Phys Ther 1995;22:155.
7. Watson AWS: “Sports injuries in footballers related to defects in posture and body mechanics.” J Sports Phys Med Fitness 1995;35:289.
8. Cowan DN, Jones BH, Frykman PN: “Lower limb morphology and risk overuse of injury among male infantry trainees.” Am J Sports Med 1996;24:945.
9. Chiropractic Journal. June 2001.
10. Gray’s Anatomy. P.54.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

WE HAVE AIR CONDITIONING!!!!

2009-07-28T17:15:00.000-07:00

In the midst of this uncharacteristic Seattle heat wave, beat the heat and stabilize your body by making sure you are keeping cool! Severe heat may cause illness or even death. When temperatures rise to extreme highs, reduce risks by taking the following precautions. Follow these tips adapted from the Washington State Department of Health:

Reduce the risk of heat stroke and heat exhaustion:
• Stay indoors and in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible unless you're sure your body has a high tolerance for heat.
• Drink plenty of fluids but avoid beverages that contain alcohol, caffeine or a lot of sugar.
• Eat more frequently but make sure meals are balanced and light.
• Never leave any person or pet in a parked vehicle.
• Avoid dressing babies in heavy clothing or wrapping them in warm blankets.
• Check frequently on people who are elderly, ill or may need help. If you might need help, arrange to have family, friends or neighbors check in with you at least twice a day throughout warm weather periods.
• Make sure pets have plenty of water.
• If you take prescription diuretics, antihistamines, mood-altering or antispasmodic drugs, check with a doctor about the effects of sun and heat exposure.
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun. Awnings or louvers can reduce the heat entering a house by as much as 80 percent.

If you go outside:
• Plan strenuous outdoor activities for early or late in the day when temperatures are cooler; then gradually build up tolerance for warmer conditions.
• Take frequent breaks when working outdoors.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sun block and light-colored, loose-fitting clothes when outdoors.
• At first signs of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps), move to a cooler location, rest for a few minutes and slowly drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention immediately if you do not feel better.
• Avoid sunburn: it slows the skin's ability to cool itself. Use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes. A cool shower immediately after coming in from hot temperatures can result in hypothermia, particularly for elderly or very young people.

Be creative! Apart from these important suggestions, there are any number of ways to keep cool. At night, open doors and windows to draw cool air in. Use strategically placed box fans to pull cool air in or draw hot air out. Jump into Lake Washington, pick up a kiddie-pool at Target, keep a spray bottle on hand to mist yourself, or rinse off in a cool shower. Keep well hydrated by drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water a day. If you don’t have air conditioning, run your furnace fan to help distribute air throughout the house. If you have a window unit, don’t overload it by using it to cool the whole house. Choose one room to close off and cool down from the rest of your house as a “personal cooling center.” If you have trouble falling asleep at night, slip an ice pack underneath your pillow to cool your head down.

And remember, WE HAVE AIR CONDITIONING!!! Here at Northgate Chiropractic 
Keep your appointment with us as a way to cool down!

Add Years to Your Life and Life to Your Years!!!

2009-07-24T16:07:00.001-07:00

I have always said that you should begin chiropractic adjustments at birth and continue throughout your entire life. Richard is Eighty-Two years old and continues to receive his chiropractic adjustments. Just as everyone in your family should receive adjustments, you should also bring in your grandparents. With medication use on the rise with the elderly, it is especially important that these people receive adjustments. The average grandma and grandpa are on approximately seven to eight different medications, each one to treat the side effect of the other.
Chiropractic is the essential ingredient to a healthier, more productive and longer life. Research shows that the smallest amount of pressure on a nerve from a subluxation will take away the functions of any organ, tissue or blood vessel that it controls. Chiropractic care should be on a maintenance visit level for their entire life. Colonel Sanders received his adjustments every week for the last Sixty-Five years of his life (He lived into his mid 90’s). Here are what some of the studies have showed how chiropractic care added years to our grandparent lives and life to their years.
A detailed analysis of a database collected during a three-year randomized study of senior citizens over 75 years of age and chiropractic care revealed that they received the following: better overall health, used fewer prescription drugs, and spent fewer days in hospitals and nursing homes than elderly non-chiropractic patients. The chiropractic patients were also more likely to exercise vigorously and more likely to be mobile in the community.
Eighty-seven percent of the chiropractic patients described their health status as good to excellent, compared to only sixty seven percent of the non-chiropractic patients.
Furthermore, the chiropractic patients spent fifteen percent less time in nursing homes and twenty one percent less time in hospitals than the non-chiropractic patients.
A retrospective assessment of 2,818 respondents in 156 chiropractic practices found a strong connection between persons receiving Chiropractic Care and self- reported improvement in health, wellness, and quality of life.
Ninety-five percent of the respondents reported their chiropractic expectations had been met, and ninety nine percent wished to continue care.
Now matter how much arthritis, degeneration you have, chiropractic is the only profession that will detect and correct interference in your nervous system. A healthy nervous system is the key to a longer and healthier life. It is my wish that through chiropractic care you will be able to unlock your fountain of youth.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Give Your Diet A Kick Start!

2009-07-22T10:55:00.000-07:00

Feeling sluggish? Well, you already know that regular visits with the chiropractor can boost your immune system, speed up your metabolism, regulate hormone balance, and overall improve your general health. But why not aid those changes on your own with a better diet of foods that boost your metabolism and provide your body with more energy?

The foods that you eat are made up of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. These components provide the energy your body needs to build and maintain itselt, and your metabolism is the process by which these food components are broken down and converted into energy. The right foods provide your body with the right nutrition, and contribute to a faster process of metabolism.

The best foods to eat to boost your metabolism are vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, fish, healthy fats, and whole grains. Some ideal examples of these foods are as follows:
Vegetables--spinach, broccoli, carrots, asparagus, cabbage, beets, beans, and dark leafy vegetables such as kale.
Fruits--anything fresh; blueberries, melons, apples, citrus fruits, and tomatoes
Lean Protein--skinless poultry, eggs
Fish--omega 3 fatty acids; contained in fish or capsule form, and burns up to 400 calories a day
Healthy Fats--Nuts, peanut better
Whole Grains--brown rice, cereal, barley, oats
Anything with B vitamins, magnesium, and fiber are also good metabolism boosters.

There are several other good nutrition habits to live by now that we are choosing the right foods. Portion control is still important. Eat several small, healthy meals and snacks throughout the day to keep your metabolism continuously running, and your body continuously supplied with energy. Know the caloric content of the foods you eat. The Nutrition Facts Label will tell you the number of calories in a single serving. There are negative calorie foods that burn more calorie during digestion that the foods themselves contain! For most people, a healthy number of calories per day is between 2,200 and 2,800 depending on their sex and size. Dieting by reducing your caloric intake beneath 1,000 calories can be dangerous to your health and should not be done unless under instruction and supervision of a professional.

Supplement your diet with other good habits as well, such as drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day, and exercising at least 3 times per week. Using free weights can help stimulate your metabolism by building muscle tone. Add these metabolism boosting tips to your schedule of regular visits to the chiropractor, and you should be feeling more energy in no time!

Backpack Tips for Back-to-School!!

2009-07-21T16:43:00.000-07:00

Northgate Chiropractic Offers
Backpack Tips for Back to School

As you prepare your child to do their best each year, make
sure they don’t become “overloaded”! Studies show that overloaded backpacks are the cause of shoulder and low back pain and poor posture in children, and that heavy backpacks may be a serious threat to spinal development. Follow these tips to help your child carry their load back to school with the most efficiency and the least pain possible!

Choose the Right Backpack:
Choosing a backpack is like choosing shoes—assure a good fit, select heavily padded shoulder straps that fit snugly but not too tight, and ideally, one that has a waist strap. Avoid packs with a single strap.

Don’t Overload:
If the child has to learn forward to support the bag, it’s too heavy! This stress on the spine can lead to a lifetime of back problems. Some weight guidelines are as follows.
Elementary School—Maximum 10% of body weight (50 lb. child = 5 lb. backpack maximum)
Pre-teens and Teens—Maximum 15-20% of total body weight.

Load, Lift, and Carry Properly:
-- Load heavier items close to the body to allow legs to support the weight
-- Face backpack, bend at the knees, lift with the legs, and apply shoulder straps one at a time
-- Use both shoulder straps (one over each shoulder) to keep weight evenly distributed close to the body. Use the waist strap to distribute some weight off the shoulders and onto the hips.

Have Your Child’s Spine Checked:
The consequences of carrying a heavy backpack incorrectly can last with a child their entire life. If you’re wondering about the effect of a backpack on your child’s spine already, or if you want to help avoid future problems, call our office to schedule a free consultation and examination. Bring your child’s backpack for a complimentary backpack fitting and backpack safety lesson!

Plan your trip to Northgate Chiropractic today
For your FREE Consultation and Examination,
With Complimentary Backpack Fitting!

Summer Sports Tips & Hydration!!

2009-07-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

Northgate Chiropractic Offers
Tips for Summer Sports & Hydration

With beautiful weather, no school, and the sun shining daily, most children spend their summers participating in some kind of physical activity, such as a local sports league, or taking lessons in a skill such as gymnastics or golf. As a parent, your goal is to keep your child happy, healthy, and functioning on the field. Since injury prevention is key, follow these easy suggestions to make the most out of your summer activities…and remember these tips apply to adults as well!

Choosing an Activity:
Determine the child's physical maturation level and match the child's size with an appropriate sport team or level.
Most competitive children's sports are organized according to chronological age rather than physical skill or maturation. Slower maturing children are often at greater risk of injury because they are competing with peers who may be larger and physically more developed.

Have an examination before play:
Have your child be examined from “Toes to Nose.”
This examination is important because it will detect imbalance, poor posture and nerve interference that once corrected will reduce chance of injury and increase performance.

Use Good Judgment about Pain:
Seek professional advice.
As children inevitably get hurt in play, it is critical that parents use good judgment in treating complaints about pain. What may act like a simple sprain may actually be a growth plate injury, which is very common in youth sports, and requires professional diagnosis and treatment.

Emphasize Water Breaks and Proper Hydration:
- Drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water per day.
- Take a water break every 15 minutes during activity, and begin the habit of having water on hand during games, bike rides, etc.
- Don’t overdo it: take the time throughout the day to hydrate. If you only drink water when you are feeling thirsty, you are already feeling the effects of dehydration.
- Don’t substitute juices or soda to prevent dehydration. Most contain sugars and caffeine that can speed up dehydration.

Plan your trip to Northgate Chiropractic today
For your FREE Consultation and Examination!

Don't let travel pain ruin your vacation!!!

2009-07-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

Northgate Chiropractic Offers
Tips for Pain-Free Travel

Nearly 80% of Americans will suffer from back pain at one time or another…Don’t let your vacation be the culprit! While relaxation is usually the goal of summer travel, there are a number of activities that can cause significant discomfort or injury to your back. Follow these easy suggestions to stay pain-free on your next trip.

While in the Car:
~ Stretch. Before long periods of sitting, it’s a good idea to stretch to improve circulation and make positioning yourself easier and more comfortable.
~ Support your spine. While many vehicles provide lumber (lower back) and neck support, you may not “fit the mold” exactly. Bring small pillows for extra support.
~ Shift positions and stretch often. Muscles are much less likely to lock up and cause discomfort. Stop the car to fully stretch whenever muscles feel exceptionally tight or fatigued.

On the Plane:
~ Exercise before you board. Even simply walking along the terminal prior to boarding will keep muscles from becoming stiff or tense early into the flight.
~ Use pillows to support the natural curvature of your spine.
~ Vary positions, move, and stretch. Though you don’t have the luxury of getting out of the plane to relieve your aching back, standing up in your seat to stretch or walking the aisles as needed can prevent strain. Although space is notoriously tight, easy stretches such as lifting your arms overhead or bending forward to touch your toes can do the trick.

Handling Luggage:
Over 50,000 luggage-related injuries are reported yearly by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Many of these may have been preventable by following these guidelines:
~ Check bags. The American Chiropractic Association suggests checking all bags that weigh more than 5-10% of your total body weight. Lifting heavy carry-on items above your head can be an invitation to injury.
~ Lift smart. When lifting an item, stand close, bending from the knees (not the waist), and lift by engaging your leg muscles. Avoid twisting your body as you lift or carry heavy luggage.
~ Shift shoulders often when carrying a bag with a shoulder strap.
~ Know your strength. Don’t be afraid to use a cart or ask for help.

Northgate Chiropractic
Dr. Stephen Lachuta
11065 5th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98125
Phone: (206) 367-2224
Fax: (206) 260-2701
NorthgateChiropractic.net
NorthgateChiropractic@gmail.com

Can Chiropractic Help Your Constipation?

2009-07-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

One of the problems that many parents deal with today with their children is constipation. It has become a problem that affects two out of every four children that come into my office. These toxins continue to stay in the body and will cause sickness and ill health. Our children today also continue to have a diet that has minimal fiber from grain and fruits and water. The health and wellness of your child comes from within their own body and not from a pill, laxative or a potion. The body’s ability to heal, regulate and eliminate is directly proportional to the function of the nervous system. I have found through my eight and a half year chiropractic experience and education that 80% of children today are subluxated during the birth process (C-section, forceps or suction). This subluxation or misalignment interferes with the child’s ability to digest and eliminate foods. Research also states that before the age of six, your child will fall 2,500 times and three will be directly on their head (off the crib, bed or down the steps). The nervous system is the master controller of the body. There isn’t a single organ, or tissue gland that is not controlled by your child’s nervous system. Research states that it only takes the pressure of a dime to take away 60% of function in the nerve. When your child’s nervous system is off or imbalanced his/her body will not eliminate wastes properly.
A parent reported that after years of going the bathroom only one to two times per week, her daughter had regular daily bowel moments after chiropractic adjustments. She also stated her daughter hasn’t been sick for a year and her skin looks dramatically healthier. Another mom said her son has always had problems going to the bathroom. After adjustments he has more energy, no upset stomach and goes the bathroom every day.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Balancing Hormones Naturally!

2009-07-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

Headache, backache, abdominal bloating, cramping, fatigue and mood swings are just some of the symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). No one's completely certain what causes premenstrual syndrome (PMS), but there's no denying the pain and distress millions of women suffer 7-10 days before menstruation every month.
Most women suffer some symptoms of PMS during their childbearing years, but between 10-20% experience severe or disabling symptoms. Drugs and psychotherapy have proven ineffective or undesirable treatment options, with many patients reporting unpleasant side effects and only minimal relief of symptoms. Previous research has suggested the potential benefit of chiropractic care (see "Chiropractic for PMS" in the August 1999 issue of To Your Health), and a recent study provides further evidence of this association. The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported that in a nine-month clinical trial involving 25 women with diagnosed PMS, 16 patients received active chiropractic treatment (spinal adjustments and soft-tissue therapy) 2-3 times in the week before menses for at least three menstrual cycles. The remaining nine patients received a placebo in the form of chiropractic "adjustments," using an instrument set for minimum force, such that patients did not effectively receive treatment. The two groups eventually changed over, so that both groups received treatment and placebo during the study period. In both groups, results showed that PMS symptom scores decreased after chiropractic adjustments, with a significant decrease in scores for the active treatment phase compared to the non-treatment (placebo) phase.
In another study from The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics involving 84 subjects (54 with diagnosed PMS and 30 without) evaluated the potential for chiropractic to help relieve PMS symptoms. Complete chiropractic examinations revealed that the PMS group was more likely to show signs of spinal problems (i.e., spinal tenderness, muscle weakness, neck disability, etc.) than the non-PMS group. In another study involving dysmenorrhea, the results were fewer episodes of pain with decreased intensity.
The studies suggest that chiropractic care to correct these spinal problems may be an effective way to reduce some of the symptoms of PMS and Dysmenorrhea. If you're still searching for relief from the pain and frustration of premenstrual syndrome, make an appointment at Northgate Chiropractic by calling (206) 367-2224. A complete spinal examination could be an important step toward finding a solution for PMS.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

ADD--What Every Parent Should Know!

2009-07-13T11:28:00.000-07:00

Did you know that one of the greatest minds of our time could not talk before the age of four and could not read before the age of seven? I am referring to Albert Einstein. It is also known that his teacher said he was mentally slow, unsociable, adrift in his foolish dreams and had severe temper tantrums. He was expelled and refused admittance to the Polytech Institute. In today’s world, he would be on Ritalin.
Ritalin is a very dangerous and highly addictive drug. Under Federal Law, Ritalin is classified as a schedule II controlled substance, the same rating given to cocaine, opium and morphine. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and include depression, fatigue, paranoia, increased dreaming, irritability, bedwetting, and even suicide.
The United States has the highest use of Ritalin consuming 95% of the total amount of Ritalin used in the world. This is in a country where only five percent of the total population is living Ritalin free. If ADD is so prevalent, then how and why are we taking all of it? In some elementary and middle schools, as many as six percent of all students take Ritalin or other psychiatric drugs, according to the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
The side effects of Ritalin are numerous and severe. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the side effects include stunting of growth, depression, insomnia, nervousness, skin rash, anorexia, nausea, psychosis, dizziness, headaches, abdominal pain, blood pressure and pulse changes, and Tourette’s Syndrome (a permanent and irreversible condition characterized by body tics, spasms, screaming obscenities, and barking sounds).
The researchers also reviewed 8 years of injury data on more than 61,000 children ages 3 to 17 and found that those with ADD/ADHD were nearly 80% more likely to be involved in a serious accident resulting in hospitalization for trauma.
According to a Canadian report, Ritalin is responsible for more street crime than any other drug. Kids are selling their Ritalin to other kids. A USA Today report indicated that some kids crush Ritalin into a powder and snort it like cocaine, while others cook it and inject it into their bloodstream.
A well-known criminal attorney, Melvin Nash, from Marietta Georgia, indicated that approximately 60% of the people he defends from everything from DUI to armed robbery have been on Ritalin at some point in their life.
So what are the ADD criteria? Here are a few: often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly, often talks excessively, is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor", often has difficulty awaiting turn, often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat. In order to be classified as ADD, you must have the majority of these characteristics. To tell you the truth, I still possess the majority of these traits. I asked a teenage ADD patient in my office what he thought about school. He said he was bored and didn’t feel challenged. What an answer. How far will we go to control, mold, and conform our children to make them “normal?” Are we turning our geniuses of tomorrow into drug addicts today?

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206)367-2224.

Looking To Better Your Game on the Green?

2009-07-10T15:04:00.000-07:00

The most important piece of golf equipment is your spine!

Professional golf instructors estimate that 80-100% of golfers' swing problems begin from faulty posture. Therefore, having a Chiropractor evaluate your posture should be the first and most important step toward building an optimal golf swing. Most postural faults are caused by muscle and connective tissue imbalances that pull a golfers body out of alignment, or a misalignment in spinal bones. The result of an unbalanced or asymmetrical standing posture will always be unbalanced and decreased performance. If the golf instructors are correct, a poor posture, when addressing the ball, will result in a poor and/or inconsistent golf swing. Moreover, sooner or later, golfing with a poor posture and swing motion will cause injuries. Research states that 80% of the population has lower back pain.

An onlooker may assume that the never-ending quest to put the little white ball into the cup calls upon little of the athleticism required by other warm-weather sports such as tennis or cycling. Not true. Many avid golfers contort their bodies into oddly twisted postures, generating a great deal of torque-the twisting force that opens a bottle cap-on the back. Couple this motion with a bent-over stance, repeat 90 to 120 times over three or four hours, add the fatigue that comes with several miles of walking, and you've got a good workout-and a recipe for potential lower back trouble.

As America's love affair with the game continues to grow and are playing in a big tournament, chiropractors advocate taking a proactive approach that will prepare your body for many years of pain-free play. "Most golfers go until they are in pain, then look for immediate relief. Northgate Chiropractic advocates a different approach-by helping patients look at what they can do right now to reduce the likelihood of future injury.” We want people to be able to play without pain and have the greatest potential for a lifetime.

If you take this approach, you're in good company. As a chiropractor I have found the direct connection between the spine and performance. Nerves control every muscle in your spine. A pinched nerve will decrease performance. Stan Sheppard states, “The difference between winning and losing could be just one stroke.” Many professional golfers such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson rely on chiropractors to increase their performance. To find out if chiropractic could increase your performance in golf please call our office to schedule an appointment at (206) 367-2224.

MAKE THE MOST OF A LONG, HEALTHY LIFE!

2009-07-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

I have always said that you should begin chiropractic adjustments at birth and continue throughout your entire life. Richard is Eighty-Two years old and continues to receive his chiropractic adjustments. Just as everyone in your family should receive adjustments, you should also bring in your grandparents. With medication use on the rise with the elderly, it is especially important that these people receive adjustments. The average grandma and grandpa are on approximately seven to eight different medications, each one to treat the side effect of the other.
Chiropractic is the essential ingredient to a healthier, more productive and longer life. Research shows that the smallest amount of pressure on a nerve from a subluxation will take away the functions of any organ, tissue or blood vessel that it controls. Chiropractic care should be on a maintenance visit level for their entire life. Colonel Sanders received his adjustments every week for the last Sixty-Five years of his life (He lived into his mid 90’s). Here are what some of the studies have showed how chiropractic care added years to our grandparent lives and life to their years.
A detailed analysis of a database collected during a three-year randomized study of senior citizens over 75 years of age and chiropractic care revealed that they received the following: better overall health, used fewer prescription drugs, and spent fewer days in hospitals and nursing homes than elderly non-chiropractic patients. The chiropractic patients were also more likely to exercise vigorously and more likely to be mobile in the community.
Eighty-seven percent of the chiropractic patients described their health status as good to excellent, compared to only sixty seven percent of the non-chiropractic patients.
Furthermore, the chiropractic patients spent fifteen percent less time in nursing homes and twenty one percent less time in hospitals than the non-chiropractic patients.
A retrospective assessment of 2,818 respondents in 156 chiropractic practices found a strong connection between persons receiving Chiropractic Care and self- reported improvement in health, wellness, and quality of life.
Ninety-five percent of the respondents reported their chiropractic expectations had been met, and ninety nine percent wished to continue care.
Now matter how much arthritis, degeneration you have, chiropractic is the only profession that will detect and correct interference in your nervous system. A healthy nervous system is the key to a longer and healthier life. It is my wish that through chiropractic care you will be able to unlock your fountain of youth.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Regaining your spinal curve!

2009-07-07T16:16:00.000-07:00

Loss of neck and low back curves force the weight of the head and mid-back forward causing headaches, neck, mid-back and low back pain. This dynamic shift causes the disc tissue to lose water and wear away while surrounding bones take on a degenerative or arthritis condition. Also, a reversed neck curve increases the spinal cord vulnerability to traumas, stress, poor posture and accidents.

After eleven years in practice, I have seen over 80% of patients have this type of reversed or reduced neck and low back curves. Research shows that a normal lordotic curve is ten times stronger than a poor curve. Proper structure equals improved function. There are four phases of spinal degeneration or arthritis.

How did I lose my curve? The causes of a decreased curve are traumas or accidents, poor posture, and bad habits. I have spent many hours of research to invest in the technology and equipment to monitor and increase the cervical and lumbar curves. The curve master chair was invented in 1994 to specifically increase the natural curves of the spine. The research showed in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics: Vol. 17, No. 7, September 1994, that a transformation of the curves took place with the use of the cervical decompression traction treatment.

Neurologists suggest that the structure of the spine can be directly related to overall function. Interference in the nervous system are caused by abnormal function of the spine, and poor body mechanics (posture). Gray’s Anatomy states that the nervous system controls all functions of the body. In order to improve your curve and overall health, it is recommended that you use the curve master traction unit to improve the neck and low back curves. Through this dynamic action it reinforces, the natural C lordotic curve creating improved spinal mechanics, decreased pain, joint nutrition, flexibility better posture and the likelihood of reduced adjustments. I look forward to improving your spinal curve.

Northgate Chiropractic Brochure Information

2009-07-06T15:27:00.001-07:00

Welcome to
Northgate Chiropractic!

Congratulations on taking the first steps to leading a healthier and fuller life!
At Northgate Chiropractic, we help people feel better so they can do the things they want to do. The body can be injured in many ways, and our goal here is to help you get on the road to recovery naturally. Whether you have been injured in an auto accident, on the job, or are dealing with a chronic health problem, your body has the capability to make amazing restorative changes when given the chance to through chiropractic care. Our duty at Northgate Chiropractic is to help your body achieve those levels of health so you can get out and enjoy your life to the fullest!

We specialize in…

~ Personal Injury
~ Auto Injury
~ Workers Comp
~ Athletes & Performers
~ Senior Health
~ Chronic Health
Problems

What We Offer

At Northgate Chiropractic, you will receive a comprehensive consultation and spinal examination relevant to both your overall spinal wellness as well as your specific complaint. A custom care plan will be designed by you and Dr. Lachuta to best resolve your issues.

Did you know?
Doctors of chiropractic undergo extensive training to help their patients in many ways - not just back pain. Chiropractic care can address many cases:

ADD, Asthma, allergies, depression, constipation and GI conditions, nutrition, migraines & headaches, stress,
hormone balance/PMS/menopause, newborn babies, adolescents, seniors, posture/ergonomics, and immune system response.
Meet Dr. Lachuta
Dr. Stephen Lachuta, Chiropractic Physician at Northgate Chiropractic, completed a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Life Chiropractic College West in Hayward, CA. He is proficient in many techniques, including diversified, activator, gonstead, toggle, and extremity adjusting. Dr. Lachuta has seen success treating a wide range of patients, from newborns and seniors to professional athletes and performers. His commitment to you includes not only excellent chiropractic care, but assistance with other aspects of health as well, including nutrition, exercise, and the psychology of getting and staying healthy.
“My goal is to help people lead healthier lives and feel better so they can do the things they want to do, and do what they are passionate about. My duty is to help your body achieve those levels of health so you can get out and enjoy life to its fullest. The most dangerous words are ‘It will go away on its' own.’”
In health and happiness,
Dr. Stephen Lachuta

What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic addresses the dysfunction created by the dis-relationship between the nervous system, spinal column, muscles, bones, organs, and mental well-being. Chiropractors use adjustments to correct these dysfunctions. Chiropractic philosophy focuses on the health of the body as opposed to disease, and corrects causes instead of simply treating symptoms. The chiropractic approach is natural and drug-free.

What Can a Doctor of Chiropractic Do?
~ Perform spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function and alleviate the stress on your system.
~ Provide nutritional advice
~ Offer advice on posture, ergonomics (work postures), exercises and relaxation techniques.

Clinic Information
We accept most medical insurances, work comp, and auto accident cases. We will call for benefits upon your arrival. Cash plans available.
We are ALWAYS accepting new patients.
WALK INS WELCOME

Office Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
10:00-Noon & 2:30-6:00

Tuesday
3:00-6:00

Saturday
9:00-Noon

Contact Us:
Phone (206) 367-2224

Fax (206) 260-2701

NorthgateChiropractic@gmail.com

www.NorthgateChiropractic.net

Update from our fans!

2009-07-03T14:59:00.000-07:00

"I love this office! I get great care in a lax atmosphere. This is the Chiropractic office of the future! A good time and a great adjustment/massage all at the same time. I don't even mind the trip from Renton three times a week."
-Mal, Northgate Chiropractic Fan

Check us out on facebook! Just search Northgate Chiropractic and become a fan!

Preventing Summer Sports Injuries in Your Child

2009-07-03T14:30:00.000-07:00

The role of the Chiropractor is crucial in preventing sports injuries in children. Prior to any sports involvement, the child should undergo a Pre-Participation Evaluation (PPE). The PPE consists of a routine medical history and physical examination with emphasis on a neuromusculoskeletal evaluation, all of which are helpful in determining the readiness factor of the child for the sport in question. This “Toes to Nose” examination includes a postural and chiropractic examinations. It has been my experience that discovering poor posture, muscle imbalances, and nerve interference will reduce chances for injury if corrected.
As the child begins sports participation, Dr. Lachuta can offer guidelines on exercise, conditioning and stretching techniques, nutrition and general fitness. Of course, when treatment is needed, Dr. Lachuta is fully equipped to manage non-surgical treatment of typical sports injuries. The treatment of sports injuries has been a basic approach in chiropractic since it’s beginning because your child’s nerve, muscle, bone alignment, and their performance are one in the same. Dr. Lachuta is able to recognize certain injuries because of his extensive athletic background. Dr. Lachuta will make a referral to the appropriate specialist if he is unable to help your child.
Although parents may not be able to soften the blow from an athletic injury they can minimize serious injury by taking some basic preventative measures:
1. Determine the child's physical maturation level and match the child's size with an appropriate sport. Most competitive children's sports are organized according to chronological age rather than physical skill or maturation. Slower maturing children are often at greater risk of injury because they are competing with peers who may be larger and physically more developed.
2. Have your child be examined from “Toes to Nose.” This examination is important because it will detect imbalance, poor posture and nerve interference that once corrected will reduce chance of injury and increase performance.
3. Seek professional advice. Given the fact that children will get hurt in play, it is critical that parents use good judgment in treating complaints about pain. What may act like a simple sprain may actually be a growth plate injury, which is very common in youth sports, that demands professional diagnosis on the extent of the injury and how to proceed with treatment.
4. Check to see if your child's organized athletic team has a chiropractor (skilled in the handling of sports injuries) affiliated with it. If not, ask your child’s coach how Dr. Lachuta can become your son/daughter’s team chiropractor.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Swim Season Ear Infections Affecting Your Happy Child?

2009-07-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

EAR INFECTIONS: ONE CAUSE, ONE CURE, ONE CORRECTION

The number one reason for emergency room visits was ear infections in 1998. Ear infections or otitis media is usually the 1st medical crisis that brings new patients to the M.D.’s office. In 1975 there was 9.9 Million visits to MDs and in 1997 there was 30.0 Million visits to MDs for ear infections. What is wrong with this picture?

CAUSES OF INCREASED RISKS
Children who continue to use pacifiers face a significantly greater risk of ear infections than youngsters who stop using them according to a recent study by the Finnish Researchers. Nearly 31% of children (2-3 years old) who used pacifiers experienced 3 ear infections per year compared to 13% of children who didn’t use them.
Researchers state that, “Living with two or more smokers raises a child’s risk of persistent or recurrent ear infections by at least 85% during the first 3 years of life. By age 3, 83% of children will experience at least one episode of otitis media and nearly 50% will have three or more episodes.
Remarkably, based on a study in the American Journal of Public Health, the risk of contracting otitis media nearly doubles when the child attends day care.
Regarding the role of dairy and other animal foods in the spread of drug resistant bacteria, “Antibiotics in farm animals leave behind drug resistant microbes in milk and meat: with every burger and shake, supermicrobes pour into the stomach. There they can transfer drug-resistant bacteria in the body, making you more vulnerable to previously treatable infections.”
The agency of Health Care Policy and Research concluded there was no benefit from Amoxicillin in preventing ear infections (March 1994-NEWSWEEK).
SO WHY IS IT THAT THE MD’S KEEP PRESCRIBING ANTIBIOTICS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE INEFFECTIVE OR UNSAFE?
“We have a tradition of prescribing antibiotics to anyone who looks sick.”
(NEWSWEEK March 1994)
Among the “wonder drugs,” antibiotics top the list. They ward off the assault of harmful bacteria in our bodies. But experts say we’ve come to a crisis point in the battle against bacterial infections resulting from the misuse of these drugs. Misuse breeds stronger bacteria resistance. Since bacteria and viruses are simple, primal organisms, they can adapt and become stronger.
Many ear infections today are resisting antibiotics.

CHILD’S EAR SURGERY IS NOT ALWAYS NEEDED.
 42% were appropriate
 23% were in appropriate
 35% were uncertain
CHIROPRACTIC IS THE #1 SOURCE FOR A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING NERVOUS AND IMMUNE SYSTEM

Chiropractic is a natural, simple and holistic way of improving your child’s ear infection. Chiropractors look directly for a SUBLUXATION; this is a misalignment of a bone that is putting pressure on a nerve creating an interference or dysfunction in a child’s body. There are three ways that a child or an adult gets a subluxation: Trauma – birth process (Dr. Guntman states 80% of children are subluxated at birth), slips, or falls, stress – emotional, family dynamics, chemicals and drugs – antibiotics, sugar, NutraSweet, second hand smoke, and pollution. Chiropractors are the only health care professionals who can detect and correct your child’s subluxation. Chiropractors look for the cause of your son/daughter’s ear infection. Chiropractors adjust children to reduce the pressure of these subluxations so your child can be in his/her optimum state; thus allowing the ears to work properly; his/her nervous system needs to be at 100% (It takes the pressure of a dime on a nerve to take away 60% of it’s function). Only 10% of your nervous system registers pain, the other 90% controls thinking, smelling, hearing, seeing, breathing, digesting, and eliminating movement. In a recent study, children under chiropractic care can get sick less often and less severely, and they will rarely miss days from school.
In another study comparing 200 Chiropractic kids to 200 Medical kids, the study revealed the chiropractic kids had less need for antibiotic, fewer ear infections, less allergies, tonsillitis and 2x the immune system strength.

WHAT ARE YOUR CHOICES?

CHIROPRACTIC 1ST
MEDICINE 2ND
SURGERY LAST

1. Have your child checked for subluxations to determine if there is nerve interference and what effect on his/her potential is having.
2. Combat colds – colds may trigger ear infections, so make sure that hand washing is a habit at home and at daycare.
3. “No Smoking Zone” in home.
4. Limit kid contact.
5. Eat a wide variety of foods, mostly fruits and vegetables, and minimal amounts of sugar.
6. Reduce milk/dairy and red meat consumption.

MOMS SPEAK OUT

“If your immune system is at 100%, your child will be healthy. No one or no drug can fight an infection better than your child’s own body. No interference in the nervous system means no infection.”
L.K.

“In our family, chiropractic comes 1st. Our child has been adjusted since birth. We have never had an ear infection, it’s not an issue.”
T.S.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Sugar-Free and Spice… Everything Nice

2009-06-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

Sugar-Free and Spice and everything nice that’s what little boys and girls are made of. This saying sounds a little bit off, but it is very true in today’s world. When I review an average kids’ diet in my office, it’s terrible. The average kid eats fruit rollups, 1-2 Mountain Dews a day and has a sugar cereal/pop tart for breakfast. Did you know that one can of Mountain Dew (or any other cola) has 17 teaspoons of sugar in it? You wonder why kids are so hyper today. They are consuming massive amounts of sugar on a daily basis. I cannot imagine what all that sugar will do for the up-down insulin levels through all the growing years. Research has shown that sugar will weaken the immune system, which means the kids will get sick more often.
Have you ever looked at the ingredients on a box of cereal? Usually the most popular cereals have either the first and or second ingredient as sugar. Ethan’s cereal isn’t called Buzz Blasts or Lucky Charms; it is a high fiber and protein combination. Little does Buckaroo know that I just empty the Buzz Blast Cereal out and put the “healthy” cereal (from the Health food section at Kroger’s) in the box. Only when he is older, will he figure this out. By that time it will be such a part of his healthy lifestyle that it really won’t matter to him.
Do this sugar test: give your child what he normally eats that has sugar in it and watch what happens. Within 20 minutes, his/her energy will increase and a mood change will occur. Also in the mid afternoon, they will become very sleepy and crave something with sugar in it.
I have a story to tell that will hit home with a lot of you. Several months ago, we received a call from Ethan’s teacher, saying that he had been misbehaving in school. After talking with her, I asked her what he had been eating. She stated that it had been one of his classmates birthday and the parents brought in some cake. I informed her that Ethan is not allowed to eat sugar because it makes him extremely hyper and very aggressive. My wife proceeded to bring healthy snacks and high protein bars for him to eat on those “celebration” days. It has been about 4 months now and we haven’t had a complaint since. But what about juice? Ethan only drinks Northland 100% Juice or something that we have juiced ourselves. Most juices are made of sugar. My best advice is to look on the ingredients and make sure that if you do feed them something that contains sugar, that it’s at least the 3rd or 4th ingredient. Ethan knows that when he eats sugar, it is not healthy or good for him. If he eats sugar, it changes and alters his personality (aggressive, emotional and doesn’t listen), sleeping patterns and digestive habits. We decided that our household would be a sugar free zone. It has made a big difference on his disposition and the family atmosphere.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(209) 367-2224.

Our Patients Speak-Patient Testimonial

2009-06-26T16:17:00.000-07:00

“Our Patients Speak”

I first visited Dr. Lachuta in April of 2009 hoping to improve my quality of life while living with sciatica pain. I chose Northgate Chiropractic because the prices seemed fair and affordable.

I was dealing with pain behind my shoulder, but my most serious pain was in the lower back. It was so bad at times that I was having difficulty tying my own shoe laces. A runner for many, many years, I was afraid to participate in running activities because of the pounding sensation and the force on the knees and back. I turned to chiropractic in desperation.

I had tried many other doctors, specialists, or alternative care providers in the past, going to appointments often. They were all helpful, but I did not see results right away.

My first impression of Dr. Lachuta was one of competence. He has used some new techniques I have not seen before, and I first began to see results after a few weeks. Since seeing him, the pain in my shoulder blade has gone. I am confident enough to continue running, and build up my time spent running. I am beginning to be more active and carefree again. My advice to others would be to give chiropractic a try over a period of several weeks.

~Werner Alber, 06/19/09

Summer Allergies Getting You Down??

2009-06-26T15:30:00.000-07:00

A healthy immune system means high resistance to disease and infection, an enhanced ability to deal with environmental stresses, and greater health and well-being. The immune system is one of the most complicated, sensitive, and mysterious systems in the body. It is influenced by our neurological and hormonal systems, by our diet, and even by emotional and mental stress. Science's understanding of it is in its infancy, yet many believe it holds the ultimate key to life and health.

Thus we can see that if the immune system were to malfunction we could be in very serious trouble. The most common disorder of the immune system is one that is a lot less frightening: the allergy.

Substances that cause an allergic reaction are called allergens. An allergic reaction (sensitivity) occurs when the immune system overreacts to an allergen and produces too many neutralizing chemicals (especially histamines) to counteract it. Some examples of allergens are dust; pollen; medicines; dog or cat dander; dairy; soaps; detergents and other kitchen chemicals; and even foods like strawberries or chocolate (heaven forbid!).
A common example of an allergy is hayfever. Although most people who breathe ragweed pollen aren't bothered by the microscopic bits of plants that constitute pollen, some have an immune system that overreacts to it. The runny eyes, irritated mucus membranes, redness, pounding in the head, fullness in the sinuses - are produced by the neutralizing chemicals.

The cause of allergies and immune system disease has not been conclusively determined. However, there are those who attribute the proliferation of allergies and other immune system diseases to the mass vaccination campaigns of the past few decades.

Medicine has no cure for allergies, only treatment. According to Robert Mendelsohn, M.D “You can depend on most doctors to largely ignore the cause and instead rush madly to treatment.” Unfortunately, the treatment is often worse than the disease, especially since the relatively safe folk-measures of yesteryear have been replaced by the sophisticated, dangerous drugs of modern medicine.

Overreaction to allergens causes the body to release the chemical histamine (as well as other chemicals) that cause inflammation and other symptoms. Antihistamines are often prescribed to counter these effects. In most cases the antihistamines dry up the nasal passages and decrease the discomfort from itching, but do not correct the immune system overreaction.

Antihistamines, steroid hormones, and long-term desensitization all carry significant negative side effects.

Regarding allergy shots (desensitization), Dr. Mendelsohn states, "Although millions of patients have received the shots over the past 60 years, there are no, good, long-term studies to determine possible neurologic or other consequences of this treatment." Also mentioned was "a striking incidence of positive 'rheumatoid factors' in allergic children receiving shots.” Clinical studies have shown that breast fed babies have fewer allergy problems than formula-fed babies. Although chiropractic is not a treatment for diseases, allergies included, it does, by permitting the nervous system to function with less stress, permit the immune system to function more effectively - and this is something all allergy sufferers need.

Many studies have revealed the effect of a healthy nervous system on immune system health. Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York's Preventive Medicine Institute and professor of medicine at New York University, measured the immune systems of people under chiropractic care as compared to those in the general population and those with cancer and other serious diseases.

His study found that chiropractic patients have a 200% greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic care. Allergies can make people's lives miserable. The standard medical approach may give short-term relief but is controversial and dangerous, and its long-term effects are untested. Common sense tells us to explore the safest, most natural means of dealing with problems before resorting to more extreme measures. A two-fold approach to allergies is often recommended: first, the avoidance of those substances that cause severe reactions and, second, correction of the basic cause - a malfunctioning immune system.

As one authority states, “A healthy body is capable of neutralizing these toxic substances and a body which has malfunctioning defense mechanisms cannot. The emphasis on allergies must be on building a healthy body, not on trying to use evasive tactics by eliminating all the allergens."

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Auto Accident????

2009-06-23T16:42:00.000-07:00

Crash, bang, boom…It sounds all too familiar. People are involved in all types of accidents from minor fender benders to severe spinal “whiplash” injuries. I have found, in my nine years experience in auto accidents, that whether you were involved in an accident at 10 mph or 65 mph, you can still have damage to your spine. Cars are manufactured differently than they were 40 years ago. Today, they are made out of plastics and aluminum, not steel. That 2,000-pound car that hit you from behind won’t injure your car as easily as it will damage YOU. All that force travels somewhere...and that somewhere is your delicate spine. Ouch! National statistics estimate that an average person is involved in an accident every seven years. I was involved in three within three months. That is a tremendous amount of trauma over a lifetime, multiplied with falls, stress and bad habits.
Research shows that within a two-week period, the body will form permanent scar tissue in the injured area. This scar tissue is formed as a result of muscle spasms, poor flexibility of the bones, poor blood supply in joints and nerve interference. I have found in adult X-rays, years after the accident, that the patient will have permanent arthritis and degeneration (if the misalignment is not corrected immediately).
In my experience, the major causes of severe injuries are: rear end collisions, head turned to the left or right during the time of impact, tightening up before you get hit or arthritis in your spine already (this degeneration makes your spine weak and unstable).
It is extremely important that you have your spine checked after every accident, no matter how minor it may seem. Research shows that it only takes the pressure of a dime to take away 60% of the nerves’ ability to function properly. Remember that pain is always the last symptom that will occur. Your nervous system controls every function in your body from breathing, digesting, smiling to running. In the nervous system, 90% controls function and ONLY 10% controls pain. It would be a terrible thing to have you live your life for the next 25 years with a SUBLUXATION, until one day he would develop a headache or neck pain, but lived the last 25 years with less than 100% nerve function to every part of your body. I have found that immediate attention to any injury will speed the healing process and decrease the chances of permanent injury.

I look forward to re-aligning you and your family. - Dr. Lachuta

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Depression :(

2009-04-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

Depression touches one in three Americans in their lifetime and comes at great personal and economic cost. Current treatment for this problem in America is often impersonal and focuses primarily on psychopharmacology. The impact of depression is enormous in terms of human suffering and economic costs both nationally and globally. Estimates of the yearly economic cost of depressive disorders, in the United States alone, range from 30 to 44 billion dollars (Wells, 1996). Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and World Health Organizations (WHO) have released a five-year study of the leading causes of death worldwide, which reveals that depression was the fourth leading cause of disease-burden in 1990. By 2020, it will be the single leading cause of death worldwide (Murray & Lopez, 1996). It seems that people are unable to cope with hustle and stress in every day life. Daily T.V. commercials talk about depression and the medical treatment for it, most commonly Prozac. (Prozac) Fluoxetine is now one of the top ten most prescribed drugs in the U.S. with 30 million users (Stokes & Holtz, 1997).
Research showed that rats and mice with artificially induced cancer developed an increased rate of tumor growth when they were given Prozac or other antidepressants. Prozac has been implicated in numerous suicides and acts of violence, and can cause nausea, nervousness and insomnia. So, given the facts and the side effects of the medical choice, what are my alternatives?
Nothing is easy in life, and just taking a pill will not solve problems. Health and happiness comes from within, not from an outside force, pill or potion. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a quick fix? We all know that quick fixes are NOT long-term, but the side effects of a drug can be! Getting down to basics can be part of the solution as well as part of our earthly journey. Therapy, change of diet, exercise, and chiropractic care create the foundation for change and is the “alternative” versus the quick fix. The nervous system is the connection between the brain and body. If there is any subluxation, or misalignment, your mental status, attitude and overall quality of life will be affected. In my nine years experience, I have found that people under chiropractic care lead happier, healthier and more productive lives. Certain lifestyle changes are essential: exercise (secret natural endorphins, which are 200 times more powerful than morphine with no side effects), diet changes (no refined sugars, white flour, or artificial sweeteners), and meditation, which creates focus, balance and better connection with yourself. The combination of these will make a huge impact on you and your family life.
In a recent research project, they compared chiropractic care, exercise and anti-depressants. The results showed that the group that exercised and received chiropractic adjustments had the best results with no side effects. One patient said, “After having depression for fifteen years, chiropractic care, along with exercise and the proper diet, has allowed my body to be the happiest and healthiest it’s ever been.”
By taking a pill, people want a quick fix, while the path to health a lot more of a commitment. Remember, in order to have happiness, you must be willing to change.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-224.

cold or flu?

2009-03-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

A common ritual in America is getting a flu shot “just in case” when “flu season” is immanent. How safe and effective are today’s influenza vaccines? Dr. Scheifle and researchers described the results of a study of hospital workers receiving trivalent influenza vaccine prepared for the 1988-1989 flu season. Of approximately 500 full-time workers in “high risk” areas, 288 took the vaccine. Of these, 266 returned a questionnaire regarding any symptoms experienced within 48 hours after the vaccination. 90% of the respondents reported adverse effects. 49% reported systemic adverse effects. 5% missed work as a consequence of vaccine adverse effects. This study was reported in the Canadian Medical Association Journal January 15, 1990.
Ten years later, things aren’t any better. A “CBC News” report dated January 12, 2000, states that flu vaccine is only 30-50% effective in seniors and 70-90% effective in healthy adults.
Officials in Los Angeles were baffled when a group of vaccine recipients developed influenza. “We don’t know why. Nobody knows,” said Dr. Weinstein, chief of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente’s Panorama City Hospital. “It seems to be the same strain that’s in the vaccine, so it should’ve worked,” he continued.
In Vancouver, British Columbia, during the 6:00 p.m. news hour on Friday January 7, 2000, Harvey Oberfeld noted that of 32 individuals who received the flu shot, 30 had contracted the flu. This is a failure rate of more than 90%.
Vaccines enthusiasts reached the height of their folly in 1976, when a pandemic of “killer swine flu” was predicted. America was asked to buy a “pig in a poke” and accept vaccination. The media proclaimed that failure to do so would result in an epidemic that would rival any in recorded history. The government spent millions on the vaccine. The outcome? There were deaths. There were cases of paralysis. But they were not from the dreaded “killer flu.” They resulted from the vaccine that was supposed to prevent it.
J. Anthony Morris, one-time head of influenza control in the U.S., warned his superiors in the federal government that the vaccine was dangerous and probably ineffective. When they refused to act, he went directly to the media. Morris advised the public that the vaccine was unsafe, and an epidemic was unlikely. As a result, he was fired from his position at the Food and Drug Administration. His experimental animals, representing years of research, were destroyed. His superiors blocked publication of his findings.
Other scientists and physicians were also critical of the vaccine. Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling, in a letter to the author dated May 11, 1976, indicated that he and his wife did not intend to take the vaccine because he felt there was “significant danger” associated with it.
The Lancaster, Pennsylvania Intelligencer Journal of August 14, 1976, reported on a survey of practicing physicians asked about the vaccine. 100% of the physicians surveyed said they would not administer swine flu shots to their own children. T.A. Vonder Haar, then Coordinator of Programs in Public Policy at the University of Missouri stated in a letter dated May 10, 1976, “Virus vaccines are notoriously ineffective…flu vaccines have been documented as having contained SV-40, a known carcinogen, with full FDA knowledge.”
Even the insurance industry balked at this one. They refused to indemnify vaccine makers against claims arising from the administration of swine flu vaccine C. Joseph Stetler, then president of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturer’s Association was quoted by UPI as saying, “It’s like you taking out a life insurance policy and suddenly becoming a kamikaze pilot.” The answer – the government agreed to insure the vaccine makers! What was the result of this debacle?
According to Newsweek, July 18, 1977, $135 million was appropriated by Congress to indemnify vaccine makers. However, claims totaling more than $1.3 billion were filed with the Justice Department alleging injury or death as a result of the swine flu shots. 517 Americans were struck with Guillain-Barre syndrome, and at least 23 died. And what of the killer epidemic? The total number of swine flu cases was six, and in some cases the diagnosis was questionable.
Flu shots seem to be more a product of cultural superstition than science. Think twice before rolling up your sleeve.

For additional information please contact our office at:
(206) 367-2224.

EAR INFECTIONS: ONE CAUSE, ONE CURE, ONE CORRECTION

2009-03-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

The number one reason for emergency room visits was ear infections in 1998. Ear infections or otitis media is usually the 1st medical crisis that brings new patients to the M.D.’s office. In 1975 there was 9.9 Million visits to MDs and in 1997 there was 30.0 Million visits to MDs for ear infections. What is wrong with this picture?

CAUSES OF INCREASED RISKS
Children who continue to use pacifiers face a significantly greater risk of ear infections than youngsters who stop using them according to a recent study by the Finnish Researchers. Nearly 31% of children (2-3 years old) who used pacifiers experienced 3 ear infections per year compared to 13% of children who didn’t use them.
Researchers state that, “Living with two or more smokers raises a child’s risk of persistent or recurrent ear infections by at least 85% during the first 3 years of life. By age 3, 83% of children will experience at least one episode of otitis media and nearly 50% will have three or more episodes.
Remarkably, based on a study in the American Journal of Public Health, the risk of contracting otitis media nearly doubles when the child attends day care.
Regarding the role of dairy and other animal foods in the spread of drug resistant bacteria, “Antibiotics in farm animals leave behind drug resistant microbes in milk and meat: with every burger and shake, supermicrobes pour into the stomach. There they can transfer drug-resistant bacteria in the body, making you more vulnerable to previously treatable infections.”
The agency of Health Care Policy and Research concluded there was no benefit from Amoxicillin in preventing ear infections (March 1994-NEWSWEEK).
SO WHY IS IT THAT THE MD’S KEEP PRESCRIBING ANTIBIOTICS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE INEFFECTIVE OR UNSAFE?
“We have a tradition of prescribing antibiotics to anyone who looks sick.”
(NEWSWEEK March 1994)
Among the “wonder drugs,” antibiotics top the list. They ward off the assault of harmful bacteria in our bodies. But experts say we’ve come to a crisis point in the battle against bacterial infections resulting from the misuse of these drugs. Misuse breeds stronger bacteria resistance. Since bacteria and viruses are simple, primal organisms, they can adapt and become stronger.
Many ear infections today are resisting antibiotics.

CHILD’S EAR SURGERY IS NOT ALWAYS NEEDED.
 42% were appropriate
 23% were in appropriate
 35% were uncertain
CHIROPRACTIC IS THE #1 SOURCE FOR A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING NERVOUS AND IMMUNE SYSTEM

Chiropractic is a natural, simple and holistic way of improving your child’s ear infection. Chiropractors look directly for a SUBLUXATION; this is a misalignment of a bone that is putting pressure on a nerve creating an interference or dysfunction in a child’s body. There are three ways that a child or an adult gets a subluxation: Trauma – birth process (Dr. Guntman states 80% of children are subluxated at birth), slips, or falls, stress – emotional, family dynamics, chemicals and drugs – antibiotics, sugar, NutraSweet, second hand smoke, and pollution. Chiropractors are the only health care professionals who can detect and correct your child’s subluxation. Chiropractors look for the cause of your son/daughter’s ear infection. Chiropractors adjust children to reduce the pressure of these subluxations so your child can be in his/her optimum state; thus allowing the ears to work properly; his/her nervous system needs to be at 100% (It takes the pressure of a dime on a nerve to take away 60% of it’s function). Only 10% of your nervous system registers pain, the other 90% controls thinking, smelling, hearing, seeing, breathing, digesting, and eliminating movement. In a recent study, children under chiropractic care can get sick less often and less severely, and they will rarely miss days from school.
In another study comparing 200 Chiropractic kids to 200 Medical kids, the study revealed the chiropractic kids had less need for antibiotic, fewer ear infections, less allergies, tonsillitis and 2x the immune system strength.

WHAT ARE YOUR CHOICES?

CHIROPRACTIC 1ST
MEDICINE 2ND
SURGERY LAST

1. Have your child checked for subluxations to determine if there is nerve interference and what effect on his/her potential is having.
2. Combat colds – colds may trigger ear infections, so make sure that hand washing is a habit at home and at daycare.
3. “No Smoking Zone” in home.
4. Limit kid contact.
5. Eat a wide variety of foods, mostly fruits and vegetables, and minimal amounts of sugar.
6. Reduce milk/dairy and red meat consumption.

MOMS SPEAK OUT

“If your immune system is at 100%, your child will be healthy. No one or no drug can fight an infection better than your child’s own body. No interference in the nervous system means no infection.”
L.K.

“In our family, chiropractic comes 1st. Our child has been adjusted since birth. We have never had an ear infection, it’s not an issue.”
T.S.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

UPPER CERVICAL CHIROPRACTIC

2009-03-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

We see sicknesses surrounding us everywhere, people unable to GET WELL. It seems impossible that hundreds of thousands of physicians researching through the years could have overlooked anything. They have millions of dollars at their command. They have every scientific device invented. They have been at work dissecting millions of bodies.
To imagine they could have overlooked anything important, be it material, immaterial; large or small, is preposterous. However, same sickness that existed 4,000 years ago exists today. The same symptoms that existed then are with us today. Names change. Treatments shift. So isn't it time we look for the cause of health, rather than the cause of sickness?
Every man and woman who has experienced serious illness knows the horrors of a long sickness. A sick person's only real desire is to get well and get well permanently. For you to have a longer, happier and healthier life, it is imperative that you be aware of the fact that a subluxation of the top vertebrae in the spine (called the atlas, which lies beneath the skull) is a serious condition that can easily develop conditions affecting every part of the body. The delicate "Brain Stem," just thicker than a pencil, is suspended from the brain and extends down through the tunnel formed by the C1-C2 ring-like vertebrae. When the spinal column is in proper alignment, the spinal cord (or brain stem) can pass unimpeded through these ring-like openings, but when one or both of the top two vertebra become misaligned (subluxated) the "Brain Stem" is impinged and normal nerve supply is cut off to parts of the body served by that nerve track.
Dr. B.J. Palmer’s progression led him to the conclusion that the upper cervical portion of the spine where the brain stem (medulla oblongata) is located is the control center for the entire body and pressure in this area is the cause of every disease known to man. Furthermore, he concluded that removing this pressure by means of an adjustment would correct the cause of disease and the body would heal itself. Dr. Palmer developed the technique called Toggle Recoil. This technique specifically removes the interference and allows the power that made the body to also heal the body. This force comes from “above down and inside out.”
The "Specific Chiropractor" is trained to locate and remove this subluxation (misalignment) and restores the vertebrae to its normal position. The mental impulse life force, Innate Intelligence, can now flow in its full capacity from the "Brain Stem" to the dis-eased tissue or organ; healing or repair takes place in a natural way and pain and the ravages of dis-ease disappear. "Good health is everyone's birthright, we were all born with the innate ability to be well. We merely need the means to tap into that ability. This technique fulfills that ability.
Dr. Steve

Add Years to Your Life And Life to Your Years

2009-03-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

I have always said that you should begin chiropractic adjustments at birth and continue throughout your entire life. Richard is Eighty-Two years old and continues to receive his chiropractic adjustments. Just as everyone in your family should receive adjustments, you should also bring in your grandparents. With medication use on the rise with the elderly, it is especially important that these people receive adjustments. The average grandma and grandpa are on approximately seven to eight different medications, each one to treat the side effect of the other.
Chiropractic is the essential ingredient to a healthier, more productive and longer life. Research shows that the smallest amount of pressure on a nerve from a subluxation will take away the functions of any organ, tissue or blood vessel that it controls. Chiropractic care should be on a maintenance visit level for their entire life. Colonel Sanders received his adjustments every week for the last Sixty-Five years of his life (He lived into his mid 90’s). Here are what some of the studies have showed how chiropractic care added years to our grandparent lives and life to their years.
A detailed analysis of a database collected during a three-year randomized study of senior citizens over 75 years of age and chiropractic care revealed that they received the following: better overall health, used fewer prescription drugs, and spent fewer days in hospitals and nursing homes than elderly non-chiropractic patients. The chiropractic patients were also more likely to exercise vigorously and more likely to be mobile in the community.
Eighty-seven percent of the chiropractic patients described their health status as good to excellent, compared to only sixty seven percent of the non-chiropractic patients.
Furthermore, the chiropractic patients spent fifteen percent less time in nursing homes and twenty one percent less time in hospitals than the non-chiropractic patients.
A retrospective assessment of 2,818 respondents in 156 chiropractic practices found a strong connection between persons receiving Chiropractic Care and self- reported improvement in health, wellness, and quality of life.
Ninety-five percent of the respondents reported their chiropractic expectations had been met, and ninety nine percent wished to continue care.
Now matter how much arthritis, degeneration you have, chiropractic is the only profession that will detect and correct interference in your nervous system. A healthy nervous system is the key to a longer and healthier life. It is my wish that through chiropractic care you will be able to unlock your fountain of youth.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Add Years to Your Life And Life to Your Years

2009-03-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

I have always said that you should begin chiropractic adjustments at birth and continue throughout your entire life. Richard is Eighty-Two years old and continues to receive his chiropractic adjustments. Just as everyone in your family should receive adjustments, you should also bring in your grandparents. With medication use on the rise with the elderly, it is especially important that these people receive adjustments. The average grandma and grandpa are on approximately seven to eight different medications, each one to treat the side effect of the other.
Chiropractic is the essential ingredient to a healthier, more productive and longer life. Research shows that the smallest amount of pressure on a nerve from a subluxation will take away the functions of any organ, tissue or blood vessel that it controls. Chiropractic care should be on a maintenance visit level for their entire life. Colonel Sanders received his adjustments every week for the last Sixty-Five years of his life (He lived into his mid 90’s). Here are what some of the studies have showed how chiropractic care added years to our grandparent lives and life to their years.
A detailed analysis of a database collected during a three-year randomized study of senior citizens over 75 years of age and chiropractic care revealed that they received the following: better overall health, used fewer prescription drugs, and spent fewer days in hospitals and nursing homes than elderly non-chiropractic patients. The chiropractic patients were also more likely to exercise vigorously and more likely to be mobile in the community.
Eighty-seven percent of the chiropractic patients described their health status as good to excellent, compared to only sixty seven percent of the non-chiropractic patients.
Furthermore, the chiropractic patients spent fifteen percent less time in nursing homes and twenty one percent less time in hospitals than the non-chiropractic patients.
A retrospective assessment of 2,818 respondents in 156 chiropractic practices found a strong connection between persons receiving Chiropractic Care and self- reported improvement in health, wellness, and quality of life.
Ninety-five percent of the respondents reported their chiropractic expectations had been met, and ninety nine percent wished to continue care.
Now matter how much arthritis, degeneration you have, chiropractic is the only profession that will detect and correct interference in your nervous system. A healthy nervous system is the key to a longer and healthier life. It is my wish that through chiropractic care you will be able to unlock your fountain of youth.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

A-D-J-U-S-T-M-E-N-T Spells Relief

2009-03-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

ALLER-C - 100 capsules
Description: *ALLER - C is a potent combination formula used to moderate the inflammatory response. Quercetin promotes decreased production of histamine and the 60% citrus bioflavonoid complex supports the strength of capillaries. Bromelain is most effective taken away from meals.

ALLER-C contains per capsule:
Vitamin C (pure ascorbic acid) 450mg
Quercetin dihydrate min. 90%by HPLC 250mg
Bioflavonoids 60% (Citrus) 150mg
Bromelain 2400gdu (pure uncut) 50mg
Other Ingredients:
Gelatin Capsule. May contain Ascorbyl Palmitate and/or Silica.

Stress

2009-03-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

Allergies

2009-03-11T11:17:00.000-07:00

Allergies

A healthy immune system means high resistance to disease and infection, an enhanced ability to deal with environmental stresses, and greater health and well-being. The immune system is one of the most complicated, sensitive, and mysterious systems in the body. It is influenced by our neurological and hormonal systems, by our diet, and even by emotional and mental stress. Science's understanding of it is in its infancy, yet many believe it holds the ultimate key to life and health.

Thus we can see that if the immune system were to malfunction we could be in very serious trouble. The most common disorder of the immune system is one that is a lot less frightening: the allergy.

Substances that cause an allergic reaction are called allergens. An allergic reaction (sensitivity) occurs when the immune system overreacts to an allergen and produces too many neutralizing chemicals (especially histamines) to counteract it. Some examples of allergens are dust; pollen; medicines; dog or cat dander; dairy; soaps; detergents and other kitchen chemicals; and even foods like strawberries or chocolate (heaven forbid!).
A common example of an allergy is hayfever. Although most people who breathe ragweed pollen aren't bothered by the microscopic bits of plants that constitute pollen, some have an immune system that overreacts to it. The runny eyes, irritated mucus membranes, redness, pounding in the head, fullness in the sinuses - are produced by the neutralizing chemicals.

The cause of allergies and immune system disease has not been conclusively determined. However, there are those who attribute the proliferation of allergies and other immune system diseases to the mass vaccination campaigns of the past few decades.

Medicine has no cure for allergies, only treatment. According to Robert Mendelsohn, M.D “You can depend on most doctors to largely ignore the cause and instead rush madly to treatment.” Unfortunately, the treatment is often worse than the disease, especially since the relatively safe folk-measures of yesteryear have been replaced by the sophisticated, dangerous drugs of modern medicine.

Overreaction to allergens causes the body to release the chemical histamine (as well as other chemicals) that cause inflammation
and other symptoms. Antihistamines are often prescribed to counter these effects. In most cases the antihistamines dry up the nasal passages and decrease the discomfort from itching, but do not correct the immune system overreaction.

Antihistamines, steroid hormones, and long-term desensitization all carry significant negative side effects.

Regarding allergy shots (desensitization), Dr. Mendelsohn states, "Although millions of patients have received the shots over the past 60 years, there are no, good, long-term studies to determine possible neurologic or other consequences of this treatment." Also mentioned was "a striking incidence of positive 'rheumatoid factors' in allergic children receiving shots.” Clinical studies have shown that breast fed babies have fewer allergy problems than formula-fed babies. Although chiropractic is not a treatment for diseases, allergies included, it does, by permitting the nervous system to function with less stress, permit the immune system to function more effectively - and this is something all allergy sufferers need.

Many studies have revealed the effect of a healthy nervous system on immune system health. Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York's Preventive Medicine Institute and professor of medicine at New York University, measured the immune systems of people under chiropractic care as compared to those in the general population and those with cancer and other serious diseases.

His study found that chiropractic patients have a 200% greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic care. Allergies can make people's lives miserable. The standard medical approach may give short-term relief but is controversial and dangerous, and its long-term effects are untested. Common sense tells us to explore the safest, most natural means of dealing with problems before resorting to more extreme measures. A two-fold approach to allergies is often recommended: first, the avoidance of those substances that cause severe reactions and, second, correction of the basic cause - a malfunctioning immune system.

As one authority states, “A healthy body is capable of neutralizing these toxic substances and a body which has malfunctioning defense mechanisms cannot. The emphasis on allergies must be on building a healthy body, not on trying to use evasive tactics by eliminating all the allergens."

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Sugar-Free and Spice… Everything Nice

2009-03-09T10:19:00.001-07:00

Sugar-Free and Spice and everything nice that’s what little boys and girls are made of. This saying sounds a little bit off, but it is very true in today’s world. When I review an average kids diet in my office, it’s terrible. The average kid eats fruit rollups, 1-2 Mountain Dews a day and has a sugar cereal/pop tart for breakfast. Did you know that one can of Mountain Dew (or any other cola) has 17 teaspoons of sugar in it. You wonder why kids are so hyper today. They are consuming massive amounts of sugar on a daily basis. I cannot imagine what all that sugar will do for the up-down insulin levels through all the growing years. Research has shown that sugar will weaken the immune system, which means the kids will get sick more often.
Have you ever looked at the ingredients on a box of cereal? Usually the most popular cereals have either the first and or second ingredient as sugar. Ethan’s cereal isn’t called Buzz Blasts or Lucky Charms; it is a high fiber and protein combination. Little does Buckaroo know that I just empty the Buzz Blast Cereal out and put the “healthy” cereal (from the Health food section at Kroger’s) in the box. Only when he is older, will he figure this out. By that time it will be such a part of his healthy lifestyle that it really won’t matter to him.
Do this sugar test: give your child what he normally eats that has sugar in it and watch what happens. Within 20 minutes, his/her energy will increase and a mood change will occur. Also in the mid afternoon, they will become very sleepy and crave something with sugar in it.
I have a story to tell that will hit home with a lot of you. Several months ago, we received a call from Ethan’s teacher, saying that he had been misbehaving in school. After talking with her, I asked her what he had been eating. She stated that it had been one of his classmates birthday and the parents brought in some cake. I informed her that Ethan is not allowed to eat sugar because it makes him extremely hyper and very aggressive. My wife proceeded to bring healthy snacks and high protein bars for him to eat on those “celebration” days. It has been about 4 months now and we haven’t had a complaint since. But what about juice? Ethan only drinks Northland 100% Juice or something that we have juiced ourselves. Most juices are made of sugar. My best advice is to look on the ingredients and make sure that if you do feed them something that contains sugar, that it’s at least the 3rd or 4th ingredient. Ethan knows that when he eats sugar, it is not healthy or good for him. If he eats sugar, it changes and alters his personality (aggressive, emotional and doesn’t listen), sleeping patterns and digestive habits. We decided that our household would be a sugar free zone. It has made a big difference on his disposition and the family atmosphere.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(209) 367-2224.

The most important piece of Golf equipment is your spine!

2009-03-06T15:21:00.000-08:00

When Should You Take Your Child To a Chiropractor?

2009-03-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

When Should You Take Your Child
To a Chiropractor?

Did you know that some hospitals in Australia have newborn babies checked by a chiropractor right after delivery? I feel this procedure should be routine throughout the world.
You might be surprised to learn that most adult problems chiropractors deal with actually have a start in childhood. Think about this for a moment, your child’s spine is his/her lifeline. Running through it is the spinal cord containing billions of nerves that send messages and information from the brain to every part of the body and back again.
Yes, we all have our very own internal Internet! As long as none of these messages are interrupted, your child should have the very best health possible. If, however, there is any interference with this information “highway,” these messages will not reach their designation. As a result the body starts to work improperly. Chiropractors call this malfunction a subluxation. It can be a serious threat to health. It may affect the immune system, lower body resistance, and leave your child prey to various “bugs” and infection.
Some of the examples of malfunction that I see are: asthma, bed-wetting, ADD, chronic ear infections, colic, scoliosis, “growing pains,” etc.

When should you take your child to a chiropractor?
When you want your child to have all the benefits of a conservative, natural, drugless, approach to health. A visit to a Doctor of Chiropractic should be a pleasant experience, one without painful injections and procedures but with plenty of nurturing. It is critical to have your child examined as soon as possible after birth, as the process of delivery can be very traumatic for a newborn and can create subluxations, or misalignments of the delicate spinal bones. This can interfere with your child’s “information highway” and cause a myriad of malfunctions.
When your child takes a fall, tumbles, or is involved in some trauma. Such an incident can easily create a subluxation, which can lie undetected for years, surfacing in the adult years as a major health problem.
Your baby should have six check ups at six crucial events in the first year of life.
Chiropractic is one of the safest forms of health care in the world, and the largest drugless health care profession on the globe.
When choosing a chiropractor for your child, ask if he or she has special pediatric training or certification; as in all health professions, Doctors of Chiropractic have a number of specialties within the profession. So ask!

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(209) 367-2224.

A little help with our Yelp!

2009-03-02T16:34:00.000-08:00

So many of you know about Yelp and the reviews that you can do there.
Well, for those of you who are reading this blog and have come into our office, we kindly request your great review on Yelp.
Help us let the world know about the work we do.
It only takes a moment of your time and we will be extremely grateful. ;)

To post a review:
-Go to yelp.com/Seattle
-Type "Chiropractic" in the search tab with your zip code in the "near" box
-Click on Northgate Chiropractic
-Click on "Write a Review"
-Please create profile (if you don not have one)

Thank you very much
~Dr. Steve Lachuta
Northgate Chiropractic

PS Thank you to Valentine's Men's Grooming Salon for the wonderful haircut and detailed instructions from the back of the card they gave me. ;)

Add Years to your life And life to your years

2009-02-27T10:44:00.000-08:00

I have always said that you should begin chiropractic adjustments at birth and continue throughout your entire life. Richard is Eighty-Two years old and continues to receive his chiropractic adjustments. Just as everyone in your family should receive adjustments, you should also bring in your grandparents. With medication use on the rise with the elderly, it is especially important that these people receive adjustments. The average grandma and grandpa are on approximately seven to eight different medications, each one to treat the side effect of the other.
Chiropractic is the essential ingredient to a healthier, more productive and longer life. Research shows that the smallest amount of pressure on a nerve from a subluxation will take away the functions of any organ, tissue or blood vessel that it controls. Chiropractic care should be on a maintenance visit level for their entire life. Colonel Sanders received his adjustments every week for the last Sixty-Five years of his life (He lived into his mid 90’s). Here are what some of the studies have showed how chiropractic care added years to our grandparent lives and life to their years.
A detailed analysis of a database collected during a three-year randomized study of senior citizens over 75 years of age and chiropractic care revealed that they received the following: better overall health, used fewer prescription drugs, and spent fewer days in hospitals and nursing homes than elderly non-chiropractic patients. The chiropractic patients were also more likely to exercise vigorously and more likely to be mobile in the community.
Eighty-seven percent of the chiropractic patients described their health status as good to excellent, compared to only sixty seven percent of the non-chiropractic patients.
Furthermore, the chiropractic patients spent fifteen percent less time in nursing homes and twenty one percent less time in hospitals than the non-chiropractic patients.
A retrospective assessment of 2,818 respondents in 156 chiropractic practices found a strong connection between persons receiving Chiropractic Care and self- reported improvement in health, wellness, and quality of life.
Ninety-five percent of the respondents reported their chiropractic expectations had been met, and ninety nine percent wished to continue care.
Now matter how much arthritis, degeneration you have, chiropractic is the only profession that will detect and correct interference in your nervous system. A healthy nervous system is the key to a longer and healthier life. It is my wish that through chiropractic care you will be able to unlock your fountain of youth.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

Add Years to your life And life to your years

The 3,000 Mile Tune-Up

2009-02-25T16:21:00.000-08:00

Northgate Chiropractic
11065 5th Ave NE, Suite E
Seattle, WA 98125

The 3,000 Mile Tune-Up

The question often arises over and over again…should I still continue to come for regular adjustments even if I don’t have pain? Well, I am glad you asked. I would personally agree with getting regular chiropractic adjustments because I have been receiving maintenance adjustments for ten years now. I have only had low back pain with my occasional accidents. Pain should never be the controlling factor of why you return to get adjusted. Your nervous system is made up of over seventy-five miles of nerves and the nerve impulses can be as fast as three hundred and fifty miles per hour. Only 10% of your body registers pain and 90% controls functions like breathing, digesting, thinking and eliminating. In the last moment of the pressure on a nerve will you feel the pain, but well before that pressure your bodily functions will be affected and decreased.

Would you rather just feel good and be out of pain or be healthy. The first symptom of some who is having a heart attack is death. Prior to that heart attack, that person felt good. Again I cannot stress how important it is to have your nervous system functioning at 100%. Well Dr. Steve, how often do you check your family? I check and adjust my family about 1-2 times per week. Why would I do any less for you and your
family?

Since I started driving 15 years ago, my dad always instilled in me to have my car tuned every 3,000 miles.

Why would you not want your nervous system to run at its optimum peak for the entire life? How long would your car last if you only tuned it up when the engine started smoking or the oil light came on?

When it comes to your health and nervous system, it should be your number one priority with your family. As my dad had taught me, “teeth and an engine can be replaced, but it can never be as good as the original.”

What is more expensive, Pain care or Maintenance care? Well, say that you have two flare-ups a year at 50 adjustments (times $25 co pay=$1,250) to stabilize your spine compounded with all the excruciating pain plus lost days from work or maintenance adjustments at 2 to 3 times a month at a total of $750 with your full ability expressed at all times. You make the choice. Health is your responsibility and you do have a choice to keep your family’s nervous system always operating at 100%. I hope to see you and your family for a regular tune-up.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.

In search of a natural healer???

2008-11-24T15:24:00.000-08:00

In search of a natural healer? Chiropractic is a system of natural healthcare that believes in the body's innate ability to heal itself. The nervous system - the brain, spinal cord and spinal nerves - transmits information that provides the body with the innate intelligence to keep it healthy. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free examination and consultation let me know.

: )

Catrina
(secretary)
CALL 206-367-2224 OR VISIT US ON THE WEB www.NorthgateChiropractic.net

Hip And Rip Issues...

2008-11-07T11:08:00.001-08:00

"Our Patients Speak"

“Dr. Steve fixed some hip and rib issues due to a falling injury in just three sessions. He has also helped me get relief from chronic neck issues. Excellent care.

- Moorea M, Life Coach, Musician”

www.NorthgateChiropractic.net

YOU CAN!!!

2008-11-05T14:24:00.000-08:00

You Have The Power To Lead A Healthy Life!!! Commit To Making It Happen Today!!!

~Dr. Stephen Lachuta

www.NorthgateChiropractic.net

I was not able to enjoy my life overall due to the pain...

2008-11-03T15:32:00.000-08:00

Here at Northgate Chiropractic Our Patients Speak!!!

I first came to Northgate Chiropractic sometime in August, 2007. They were referred to me by my insurance provider. I initially came because I was injured in a car accident. I was having headaches, back and neck pain and sleeplessness due to the accident. I also had trouble breathing normally. I was not able to go the stores, walk my dog or enjoy my life overall due to the pain.

I decided to try chiropractic my niece suggested it. Prior to chiropractic, I was given medication for pain and told to rest. The medication only doped me up.

Dr. Steve was into my needs and concerns about treatment. I felt very comfortable talking with him.

Since I started chiropractic care, my headaches are GONE and I have been sleeping all night. I saw changes from the very first visit. Chiropractic care has changed my life, I can move around better and get out into creation.

Dr. Lachuta talks you through every step and explains all current and potential care. My words of encouragement for others is, don't get doped up. All it does is disguise the symptoms. See a chiropractor ASAP, don't wait like I did.

~Pamela

Office Music... Ozzy Osbourne???

2008-10-31T10:45:00.000-07:00

"Our Patients Speak"

I was referred here by my old chiropractor in Renton when I moved to the big city. The first time I went here they had Ozzy Osbourne playing over the speakers and it smelled of mouthwash, which I've come to the conclusion is coming from the fog machine pond in the waiting area. ALL those things aside, Dr. Lachuta is very nice and very good at what he does. He always explains what he's doing and why and is always willing to answer any and all questions you might have. The girl at the front desk is very polite and helpful as well. A plus is that they are always willing to accommodate my crazy schedule. I will note that they were playing Tegan and Sarah when I went last night... big improvement.

-Danielle B

After a career in dance, in multiple auto accidents...

2008-10-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

At Northgate Chiropractic Our Patients Speak!!!

"How many chiropractors have I been to? After a career in dance, in multiple auto accidents, there have been a few. Some were awful, some were great, but Dr. Steve has been the best. He is thorough, confident and accommodating. I feel very cared for going to his office. He always takes the time to listen to how I am feeling and responds with appropriate treatment. Dr. Steve is fantastic and I recommend him to anyone!"

~Rachel

www.NorthgateChiropractic.net

When Should You Take Your Child To a Chiropractor?

2008-10-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

Did you know that some hospitals in Australia have newborn babies checked by a chiropractor right after delivery? I feel this procedure should be routine throughout the world.

You might be surprised to learn that most adult problems chiropractors deal with actually have a start in childhood. Think about this for a moment, your child’s spine is his/her lifeline. Running through it is the spinal cord containing billions of nerves that send messages and information from the brain to every part of the body and back again.

Yes, we all have our very own internal Internet! As long as none of these messages are interrupted, your child should have the very best health possible. If, however, there is any interference with this information “highway,” these messages will not reach their designation. As a result the body starts to work improperly. Chiropractors call this malfunction a subluxation. It can be a serious threat to health. It may affect the immune system, lower body resistance, and leave your child prey to various “bugs” and infection.

Some of the examples of malfunction that I see are: asthma, bed-wetting, ADD, chronic ear infections, colic, scoliosis, “growing pains,” etc.

When should you take your child to a chiropractor?

When you want your child to have all the benefits of a conservative, natural, drugless, approach to health. A visit to a Doctor of Chiropractic should be a pleasant experience, one without painful injections and procedures but with plenty of nurturing. It is critical to have your child examined as soon as possible after birth, as the process of delivery can be very traumatic for a newborn and can create subluxations, or misalignments of the delicate spinal bones. This can interfere with your child’s “information highway” and cause a myriad of malfunctions.

When your child takes a fall, tumbles, or is involved in some trauma. Such an incident can easily create a subluxation, which can lie undetected for years, surfacing in the adult years as a major health problem.

Your baby should have six check ups at six crucial events in the first year of life.

Chiropractic is one of the safest forms of health care in the world, and the largest drugless health care profession on the globe.

When choosing a chiropractor for your child, ask if he or she has special pediatric training or certification; as in all health professions, Doctors of Chiropractic have a number of specialties within the profession. So ask!

For additional information on how Chiropractic can benefit a love one, please call Northgate Chiropractic at(209) 367-2224 or visit us on the web!

www.NorthgateChiropractic.net

A-D-J-U-S-T-M-E-N-T Spells Relief

2008-10-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

It sounds a little different than what we are used to. You know ROLAIDS spells relief... “Dr. Lachuta, you mean that an adjustment could help with my heartburn or acid reflux? I was told I’d have to live with it and take the medication for the rest of my life.” Heartburn is a sign that something is not working right. It is very similar to a fire alarm that is going off and then unplugging the alarm. Rolaids or Tagamet does not treat the cause of the problem. It only covers up the symptoms.

So, how could an adjustment help my stomach? The nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body, including digestion. When the spine is misaligned, the signals to your stomach are not received as well as they should be. This interference is called a subluxation. Dr. Windsor from the University of Pennsylvania was given permission to carry out his experiments. Dr. Windsor determined that there was a direct correlation to the health of the spine and the health of the internal organs. In a series of three studies, he dissected a total of seventy-five human and twenty-two cat cadavers. All nine cases of spinal misalignment in the mid-thoracic (T5-9) area had stomach disease.

Many patients state that their digestion had greatly improved after getting adjusted; they were able to eat the foods they like (within reason) without using harmful medication.

Research shows that every medication you take may help you in one way and may hurt you another way. Drugs like Tagamet and Zantec “stop digestion of proteins (because they both stop HCl production).” A.C. Millet (Nutrition expert) explains,

“Antacids interfere with HCl release and can upset body chemistry resulting in other problems. Long-term use can lead to serious conditions like gastrointestinal complications.”

So, the next time you feel like eating a handful of Rolaids or Pepcid AC, think of the alternatives.

For additional information on how Chiropractic can benefit you, please call Northgate Chiropractic at (206) 367-2224.

Add Years to Your Life And Life to Your Years

2008-10-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

I have always said that you should begin chiropractic adjustments at birth and continue throughout your entire life. Richard is Eighty-Two years old and continues to receive his chiropractic adjustments. Just as everyone in your family should receive adjustments, you should also bring in your grandparents. With medication use on the rise with the elderly, it is especially important that these people receive adjustments. The average grandma and grandpa are on approximately seven to eight different medications, each one to treat the side effect of the other.

Chiropractic is the essential ingredient to a healthier, more productive and longer life. Research shows that the smallest amount of pressure on a nerve from a subluxation will take away the functions of any organ, tissue or blood vessel that it controls. Chiropractic care should be on a maintenance visit level for their entire life. Colonel Sanders received his adjustments every week for the last Sixty-Five years of his life (He lived into his mid 90’s). Here are what some of the studies have showed how chiropractic care added years to our grandparent lives and life to their years.

A detailed analysis of a database collected during a three-year randomized study of senior citizens over 75 years of age and chiropractic care revealed that they received the following: better overall health, used fewer prescription drugs, and spent fewer days in hospitals and nursing homes than elderly non-chiropractic patients. The chiropractic patients were also more likely to exercise vigorously and more likely to be mobile in the community.
Eighty-seven percent of the chiropractic patients described their health status as good to excellent, compared to only sixty seven percent of the non-chiropractic patients.

Furthermore, the chiropractic patients spent fifteen percent less time in nursing homes and twenty one percent less time in hospitals than the non-chiropractic patients.

A retrospective assessment of 2,818 respondents in 156 chiropractic practices found a strong connection between persons receiving Chiropractic Care and self- reported improvement in health, wellness, and quality of life.

Ninety-five percent of the respondents reported their chiropractic expectations had been met, and ninety nine percent wished to continue care.

Now matter how much arthritis, degeneration you have, chiropractic is the only profession that will detect and correct interference in your nervous system. A healthy nervous system is the key to a longer and healthier life. It is my wish that through chiropractic care you will be able to unlock your fountain of youth.

For additional information, please call Northgate Chiropractic at
(206) 367-2224.