What is science?
Science is a discipline. It is a way of observing things and drawing conclusions. There are many ways of observing things, and hence there are many types of science. We speak of the “hard sciences” such as mathematics, engineering, chemistry, physics and mechanics and the “soft sciences” such as biology, psychology, pathology, physiology and other sciences that often deal with living creatures.
For years scientists thought they could explain the person – mind, body and spirit – in hard scientific terms using mathematics, physics, chemistry and the like. It has yet to work. The living being is too complex, too unique and too unpredictable to apply the hard sciences to it. Instead, we have a way of looking at the body that is more respectful, that doesn’t consider it a mere mechanical machine. It is known as empirical science – we learn how this mysterious body works by studying its actions and reactions in sickness and in health. As chiropractors we see the person as a whole and work to bring the individual into balance and harmony so the greatest healer in the world – the natural wisdom of the body – can work at its greatest potential.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and Chiropractic
Your carpal (wrist) bones form a tunnel-like structure – the carpal tunnel – through which pass nine tendons and one nerve – the median nerve.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) 
Carpal tunnel syndrome is called the occupational disease of the 21st century. Years ago telegraph operators, seamstresses, carpenters and meat cutters were the chief sufferers from this condition. Today it’s office workers, computer users, musicians and assembly line workers. It is also often found in pregnant women, women who use birth control pills or individuals with an underactive thyroid.
If you have one or more of the following you may have it: tingling and numbness in the hand, fingers and wrist; swelling of the fingers; dry palms; blanching (whitening upon pressure) of the hand; or pain so intense that it awakens you at night. In some people CTS causes similar symptoms in the upper arm, elbow, shoulder or neck. (1)
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is similar to CTS but is caused by irritation of the nerves that form the brachial plexus (in the upper back) as they exit the neck. TOS symptoms include pain, weakness and numbness or tingling in the arm.
The Chiropractic Approach
Since everyone who does repetitive tasks does not get CTS (or TOS) there appears to be an underlying weakness contributing to this condition. For over a hundred years clinicians, researchers and patients have reported relief of classic carpal tunnel symptoms and improvement in overall body function after chiropractic adjustments. (3-5) Subluxations (nerve irritation) have also been observed in many patients who have carpal tunnel or related hand and wrist problems. (6-7)
Breastfeeding – new research
A new study in the Archives of Disease in Childhood reveals the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months of life. Babies nourished this way experience fewer infections than those who are either breastfed for a shorter period of time, or fed formula in addition to breast milk.
The lessened infections include respiratory and urinary infections, ear infections (otitis media), stomach upsets such as gastroenteritis, eye infection (conjunctivitis) and thrush. If a baby does get an infection it is less severe if the child was exclusively breastfed. Partial breastfeeding – mixing breast and bottle – did not achieve the same results. The authors concluded:
Mothers should be advised by health professionals that, in addition to all the other benefits, exclusive breastfeeding helps prevent infections in babies and lessens the frequency and severity of infectious episodes.
Professor Emmanouil Galanakis and his team say it is the composition of breast milk that explains their findings. Breast milk contains antibodies passed from the mother, as well as other immunological and nutritional factors, that help the baby fight off infections. Breastfeeding is the optimal and natural way to instill immunity in children, eliminating the need for chemical-laden vaccines that often cause more harm than good. (11)
Researching Chiropractic
Chiropractors are often sought out if a person has back, neck, sciatica, arm, leg, headache and other kinds of pain. But don’t limit chiropractic! Pregnant women especially need chiropractic care. 
Scoliosis, dizziness, back pain, lack of vitality. A 15-year-old female with a history of scoliosis, vertigo, lumbar pain and lack of vitality began chiropractic care for subluxation correction. Measurements showed that she had a scoliosis Cobb angle of 44 degrees.
Adjustments were limited to correcting subluxations in the upper cervical (neck) region (Atlas or C1) vertebra. After 5 months of care, the scoliosis Cobb angle was reduced to 32 degrees. (12)
Autism. A 6-year-old boy was diagnosed with autism by a neurologist after brain pathology was ruled out. He had been fully vaccinated. Vertebral subluxations were found in the child. The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) was used to determine the state of his condition. A schedule of chiropractic adjustments was implemented to reduce the subluxations that were found. Over a 16-week period of chiropractic adjustments, a reduction in vertebral subluxation patterns and an improved ATEC score were noted. The child’s learning abilities, social interactions, language skills and behavioral patterns also improved. (13)
Bedwetting. A nine-year-old boy with nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) was presented for chiropractic care after unsuccessful medical approaches. Subluxations were located and corrected in the cervical and lumbo-sacral spine regions. By the seventh visit he had been dry for two weeks and continued to stay dry at a four-month follow-up. (14)
Words of Wisdom
In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments; there are only consequences. – Robert B. Ingersoll
Humor
Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
· Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
· We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public.
· Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
· The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
· When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.
Bye!!!
Please write or stop by and give us your feedback. Are there any subjects you’d like to hear about? Anything you dislike? Feedback is always important to us. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please reply with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
References
1. Verghese J, Galanopoulou AS, Herskovitz S. Autonomic dysfunction in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. Muscle Nerve. 2000;23(8):1209-1213.
2. Atroshi I, Gummesson C, Johnsson R et al. Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in a general population. JAMA. 1999;282(2):153-158.
3. Bonebrake AR et al. A treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome: evaluation of objective and subjective measures. JMPT. 1990;13:507-520.
4. Stoddard A. Manual of Osteopathic Practice (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Hutchinson & Co.,1983:228.
5. Davis PT, Hulbert JR, Kassak KM et al. Comparative efficacy of conservative medical and chiropractic treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. JMPT. 1998;21(5):317-326.
6. Upton ARM, McComas AJ. The double crush in nerve entrapment syndromes. Lancet. 1973;2:329.
7. Russell BS. Carpal tunnel syndrome and the “double crush” hypothesis: a review and implications for chiropractic. Chiropractic & Osteopathy. 2008;16(2):1186.
9. Nettleton JA, Lutsey PL, Wang Y et al. Diet soda intake and risk of incident metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), Diabetes Care. 2009;32(4):688-694.
10. Dhingra R, Sullivan L et al. Soft drink consumption and risk of developing cardiometabolic risk factors and the metabolic syndrome in middle-aged adults in the community. Circulation. 2007;116:480-488.
11. Ladomenou F, Moschandreas J, Kafatos A et al. Protective effect of exclusive breastfeeding against infections during infancy: a prospective study. Arch Dis Child. doi:10.1136/adc.2009.
169912 September 27, 2010 online edition.
12. Khauv KB, Dickholtz M. Improvement in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in a patient undergoing upper cervical chiropractic care: a case report. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2010;4:136-142.
13. Marini N, Marini S. Improvement in autism in a child coupled with reduction in vertebral subluxations: a case study & selective review of the literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2010;3:107-115.
14. Alcantara J, Weisberg JE. Resolution of nocturnal enuresis and vertebral subluxation in a pediatric patient undergoing chiropractic care: a case study & review of the literature. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic. 2010;4:143-149.
15. Thompson WW, Moore MR, Weintraub E et al. Estimating influenza-associated deaths in the United States. Am J Pub Health. 2009;99:S225–30.
16. Doshi P. Are US flu death figures more PR than science? 2005;331:1412. doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7529.1412 (Published 8 December 2005)
17. Urashima M, Segawa T, Okazaki M, Kurihara M, Wada Y, Ida H. Randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.29094 March 10, 2010 online edition.