A drug free method of stopping a cold or flu is called “MAGIC socks.” This treatment, has been commonly prescribed by physicians for hundreds of years. Magic socks, involves putting on ice-cold socks and … sleeping in them! I know, I know!! Try it. This treatment increases the systemic circulation and decreases congestion in the head, neck and throat and chest. It also has a sedating action, and many patients report that they sleep much better during the treatment. It can be used as a treatment for babies who do not sleep well at night, those that cannot sleep due to stress or minor anxiety without any stuffy head symptoms. This treatment is also effective for pain relief and increases the healing response during acute infections. All in all nature’s panacea, and the best part is... the healing power of nature is free. This treatment works by enhancing the body’s immune system. The body reacts to the cold socks by increasing circulation, which also stimulates the immune system. Stimulating the immune system, with the cold socks, systemically enhances the entire system, and enhances the battle against the nasty virus or condition, minimizing the suffering and length of the condition. Magic socks can be used in conjunction with other treatments to treat inflammation, sore throat, headaches, migraines, nasal congestion, upper respiratory infections, coughs, chest colds and sinus infections. Magic socks do not interact with medications or other treatment modalities. It’s best to start the wet sock treatment on first day of an illness, ideally repeating it for three nights in a row, if symptoms are still present. People with chronic conditions or a compromised immune system should consult with a doctor before starting the wet sock treatment. After one night of magic socks, in the morning your socks will be dry and your symptoms gone.
Magic Socks are only one component of an integrated treatment plan.
Magic Socks Recipe Supplies:
1 pair of cotton socks-preferably white 1 pair of thick wool socks Cold water
Directions: 1. Soak the cotton socks in cold water. Wring the socks out thoroughly so they do not drip.
2. Make sure feet are warm before application of cold socks. This is very important for the effectiveness of the treatment. It could be harmful if your feet are not warmed first.
3. Place cold wet socks on feet. Then cover with thick wool socks.
4. Go directly to bed. Avoid getting chilled.
5. Wear the socks overnight. During the night, you may wake up sweaty. If so, change into dry pajamas, but leave on the socks.
6. Cotton socks will be dry in the morning.
This information is for educational purposes only. Consultation with a licensed health care practitioner is recommended for anyone suffering from a health ailment.
So quickly, it seems, the summer is nearly over and soon children will be back to school. Along with brand new school clothes, come new backpacks soon to be filled, or over filled with school supplies. It’s safe to say most students won’t be thinking about back and neck pain, but that’s what they risk if their backpacks are too heavy or are not carried properly.
If a backpack is carried improperly or is excessively heavy, it can result in the severe back and neck pain, neck or back injury, poor posture and generalized fatigue. Excessively heavy back packs may harm muscles and joints as well, compounding, serious fatigue to the child's body. Though books are essential for learning, carrying them, should not affect physical well being..
Heavy backpacks may be more than just an annoyance for students. Studies show an overloaded backpack forces the child to compensate by leaning forward to balance the load, creating potential health problems if the backpack is over weighted and hanging too low. This action can cause kids to hunch forward, putting an awkward strain on the shoulders, spine, and muscles. This is no laughing matter, it has been reported that most students in The US carry school backpacks. Stress and strain to their bodies resulted in over 7,000 emergency room visits in 2006 and approximately half of the injuries reported occurred in children 5 to 14 years old. NPR reported that over 65% of all adolescents’ visits to a health care provider were due to back pain.
According to a study conducted by UC Riverside, the prolonged strain of the backpack weight can result in long term injuries. The study involved 3,500 students between 11 and 15 years old. 64% of the students reported back pain and 21% said that the pain lasted for more than six months. Another recent study found that backpack use significantly altered head-on-neck posture in every age group studied. This finding was most pronounced in younger students. In a survey of the orthopedists, 58% had said reported seeing patients complaining of back and shoulder pain caused by heavy backpacks. More than 70% of the orthopedists surveyed indicated that heavy backpacks can become a clinical problem in school-age children if not enough attention is made to decrease some of the weight being carried in the packs. Research tells us that the earlier children are diagnosed with back pain the longer in life they are affected.
As a rule the total weight of a backpack should not exceed 10-15% of a child’s total body weight. So if your child weighs 50 pounds their backpack should not weigh more than 5-7 pounds- that includes the backpack and all of its contents. Parents can also teach their kids to carry the backpack correctly, by using both the straps.
To reduce injuries or pain resulting from back packs, students can increase muscle strength and endurance, making back pain is less likely. Purchasing a backpack that has straps that go around the hips to keep the weight away from the back, also help balance the “load” and distribute the weight more evenly and also reduce injury. Backpacks should never hang more than four inches below the child's waistline. Backpacks should be smaller than the child's back. Straps should be padded and used at all times to avoid an uneven pull on the back.Proper positioning of a backpack is in the center of the back. Adjust the straps and use the middle waist belt if available to keep the backpack from hanging too low. It should rest between or below the shoulder blades. Using a chest strap helps distribute the weight evenly across the back. Packs should not go below the lumbar spine.
Some easy and practical tips to reduce injury are:
1. Keep extra books and notebooks at home. So there is no need to lift extra weight.
2. Always wear backpack on both the shoulders. Carrying backpack on one shoulder can put the pressure on one side of the body and can cause injury.
3. Wear both straps of the backpack at all times, this distributes the weight load evenly so well aligned posture is encouraged and facilitated.
4. Avoid carrying backpack for a long time.
5. If the backpack is very heavy, use the belt that will save from back problem.
6. Buy a backpack with wide well padded straps, and a chest strap that can distribute equal loads.
7. Use the bag with wheels if backpack is too heavy.
8. Avoid buying a backpack that in itself has a lot of weight.
9. Encourage kids to use lockers at school if available.
10. Lobby for less homework so books can stay at school.
11. Visit your local Chiropractor for wellness checks and symptom management.
12. Watch body mechanics putting on and taking off the backpack. Avoid twisting and bending together at the waist. Swinging the weight to get the backpack on is a sign it is too heavy.
13. Weigh backpacks regularly and “clean them out” often to avoid carrying additional unneeded weight.
The American Occupational Therapy Association has named September 19 as National School Backpack Awareness Day. This organization educates communities on proper backpack ergonomics. The theme is, "Pack It Light, Wear It Right!" Back to school is a fun and exciting time in a child’s life…make is a safe and pain free one too.
The Sunshine Vitamin Free and Easy Dr. Kendra Becker
Summer is here with all its benefits and exquisite pleasures. Coats, cozy fires, and long cold nights are distant memories. It’s time to enjoy all that summer has to offer including long walks in your neighborhood or local park, as well as locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Take advantage of the free, easily available, and most important sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D. So open the windows and let the sun shine in!.
Even though Connecticut summers are full of sunshine, scientists still continue to report an overwhelming Vitamin D deficiency among the nation’s population. Vitamin D is beneficial for many vital body processes and a deficiency of Vitamin D can certainly leave the body out of balance.
Vitamin D is a fat soluble pro-hormone that is most well known for regulation of calcium absorption…. But wait there’s more! It is also very important to metabolism at the cellular level, and it is an important aspect of insulin production, immunity, and inflammation reduction. Low levels of Vitamin D have been shown in patients with cancer, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain conditions, and auto-immune diseases.
Most Americans get 90% or more of their Vitamin D from the sun. The rest comes from diet. Sadly, recent increases in skin cancer rates worldwide and increasing nutrient poor foods that are consumed regularly, have allowed for long forgotten diseases like rickets to make a comeback. Dietary sources of Vitamin D clearly play an important role in over all health.
There is a wide range of individuals managing chronic illnesses that are associated with low Vitamin D levels. The range includes those who are obese, or individuals with diseases of the colon or malabsorption problems (eg. Celiac or IBS); as well as individuals with MS, SLE, Crohn’s disease, RA, Psoriasis, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Seasonal Depression, cancers, and most commonly, bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Age related Vitamin D deficiency is often found in the elderly.
For most people 15-30 minutes of sun a day, in most areas of the country gives the body adequate Vitamin D. Even on cloudy and cold winter days, the sun provides the Vitamin D the body needs. Always use safe practices and limit sun exposure to just enough to benefit health. It is important to note, that sunscreens decrease Vitamin D synthesis by nearly 99%. As we age we lose the ability to utilize Vitamin D. Darker complexions require 5 to 10 times as much sun exposure than lighter complexions in order to produce the same amounts of Vitamin D.
Choosing to get Vitamin D from food in combination with minimal sun exposure is also an option. Vitamin D can be found in large amounts in foods that have been enriched with Vitamin D. Research shows that Vitamin D3 is the best form absorbed in the human body; so when looking for enriched foods, look for the Vitamin D3 on the label. Natural sources such as fatty deep sea fishes and orange juice are rich in Vitamin D. Another option is a tanning session at your local tanning salon.
When making decisions about Vitamin D sources keep in mind the following word of caution. Excessive levels of Vitamin D can cause serious consequences, such as kidney damage. Although there are no reports of excess Vitamin D from the sun, over exposure to the sun causes skin damage which can lead to other serious health problems including skin cancer. Be sure to see you healthcare provider and have your Vitamin D levels checked with a simple blood test before increasing your exposure and intake of Vitamin D.
Once we understand the importance of Vitamin D, each of us can more fully appreciate the health value of this vitamin. Adding more Vitamin D to the day’s activities will help us feel better and healthier which will feel as good as sunshine on a sunny day.
