Johnson Chiropractic & Acupuncture

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic doctors practice natural, drugless, non-invasive health care and rely on the body's ability to self-heal. Sounds ideal, but just how does it work?

We look at the whole picture. Like other health-care providers, we follow a standard routine to gain information about the patient. We consult, review the case history, conduct a physical examination, and we may request laboratory analyses and/or x-rays. Unlike other health-care providers, however, chiropractic physicians also conduct a careful analysis of the patient's structure and pay particular attention to the spine. We also ask you about your life--Do you eat well? Exercise at all? How do you deal with stress? Do you have children? What do you do for work? And so on.

We seek the origin of the problem. Using this information, a diagnosis is made. Included in the diagnosis is the probable reason for your pain or discomfort. It is important to note that chiropractors seek the origin of the illness in order to eliminate it-we do not simply treat the symptoms. If your roof is leaking, do you simply catch the drips in a bucket for years on end, or do you repair the roof to prevent it from leaking? Similarly, if the migraine headache you've had all week is being caused by misaligned vertebra and an irritated nerve, do you continue to take pain killers indefinitely, or do you realign the vertebra to prevent the pain? You get the picture.

We fix the origin of the problem. Chiropractors have a term for misalignments: subluxations. A vertebral subluxation is a misalignment of the bones that protect the spinal cord. It's a leak in the roof. Or a kink in the wiring of your nervous system. The severity of the subluxation can vary, and there are a number of potential contributing factors that can be physical, emotional, mental, or chemical. The subluxation can be caused by any number of incidents, from birth trauma to an auto accident to simple repetition or over-use.

Applied Kinesiology

Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a system that evaluates structural, chemical and mental aspects of health using manual muscle testing combined with other standard methods of diagnosis. AK, a non-invasive system of evaluating body function that is unique in the healing arts, has become a dynamic movement in health care in its relatively short existence.

The combined terms "applied" and "kinesiology" describe the basis of this system, which is the use of manual muscle testing to evaluate body function through the dynamics of the musculoskeletal system.

Treatments may involve specific joint manipulation or mobilization, various myofascial therapies, cranial techniques, meridian and acupuncture skills, clinical nutrition, dietary management, counselling skills, evaluating environmental irritants and various reflex procedures.

Triad of Health:

The triad of health lists the three basic causes of health problems. They are structural, chemical, and mental, with structure as the base of the triad. Literally, all health problems, whether functional or pathological, are involved with one part or all parts of the triad. This is not new to chiropractic, as its founder, D.D. Palmer states in his text, "The Science, Art, and Philosophy of Chiropractic," "The determining causes of disease are traumatism, poison and autosuggestion." AK enables the doctor to evaluate the triad's functional balance and direct therapy toward the imbalanced side or sides. The physician who is aware of the triad of health, and evaluates every patient for all three sides, increases his ability to find the basic underlying cause of a patients health problem.

AK skills are developed and approved by the International College of Applied Kinesiology Board of Standards. These skills are refined from many disciplines including Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Medicine, Dentistry, Acupuncture, Biochemistry, Psychology, Homeopathy, and Naturopathy etc. Members of these professions share knowledge through the publications and conferences of the International College of Applied Kinesiology (ICAK).

Acupuncture

TCM - Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Chinese developed TCM to treat the ailing and sick. There are 4 aspects of TCM:

1. Acupuncture - The technique of inserting needles into specific points on the body to balance yin/yan, the 5 elements, modulate pain, and improve organ function.
2. Tui Nau (massage and manipulation) - Movement of the spinal segments and interrelated muscles to promote healing.
3. Herbal/nutritional medicine - Support the healing mechanisms of the body with herbs, tissue glandulars, vitamins, minerals, and homeopathic medicine.
4. Qigong (mind - body) - Stimulate healing and balance through meditation and mind body healing.

TCM theory asserts that processes of the human body are interrelated and in constant interaction with the environment. TCM practitioners believe signs of disharmony help them to understand, treat and prevent illness and disease through the testing of the meridian system.

Acupuncture Meridian System

The acupuncture meridian system is composed of 12 main meridians and 8 extra meridians. The meridians carry the energy of the body, or Chi. The energy must remain in constant flow as to not be disturbed. If the energy flow is restricted or in excess in any meridian certain symptoms may occur. Testing by the acupuncturist will reveal the imbalance in the meridian system and lead him to treat the correct points to restore the proper energy flow.

Japanese Acupuncture

Japanese acupuncture is one of a few major styles of acupuncture. Since the Japanese were introduced to Chinese Medicine and the integrated theories of acupuncture, manipulation, and herbal medicine in the 6th century, practitioners have developed some different techniques from the early TCM practitioners.

In general terms Japanese acupuncture is unique in its efficiency and precision. Techniques often are directed at using the minimal amount of stimulation, and minimal amount of needles to attain the greatest results. Much of the TCM theory is still used and the majority of the acupuncture points are used. Japanese acupuncture stressed minimal depth of insertion and minimal needle guage to attain the same results as TCM.

What is Ryodoraku?

Developed in 1951 by Dr. Nakatani he established a pattern of electrical resistance points that were located around the wrists and ankles. These points, also known as source points in traditional acupuncture were used to take a electrical reading. This examination reveals any disturbance in the acupuncture system and allows for easy correction. The examination is non invasive and involves only slight pressure on the source points.

Symptoms treatable according to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture:

• Abdominal distention/flatulence
• Acute and chronic pain control
• Allergic sinusitis
• Anesthesia for high-risk patients or patients with previous adverse responses to anesthetics
• Anorexia
• Anxiety, fright, panic
• Arthritis/arthrosis
• Atypical chest pain (negative workup)
• Bursitis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome
• Certain functional gastrointestinal disorders (nausea and vomiting, esophageal spasm, hyperacidity, irritable bowel)
• Cervical and lumbar spine syndromes
• Constipation, diarrhea
• Cough with contraindications for narcotics
• Drug detoxification
• Dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain
• Frozen shoulder
• Headache (migraine and tension-type), vertigo (Meniere disease), tinnitus
• Idiopathic palpitations, sinus tachycardia
• In fractures, assisting in pain control, edema, and enhancing healing process
• Muscle spasms, tremors, tics, contractures
• Neuralgias (trigeminal, herpes zoster, postherpetic pain, other)
• Paresthesias
• Persistent hiccups
• Phantom pain
• Plantar fasciitis
• Post-traumatic and post-operative ileus
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Selected dermatoses (urticaria, pruritus, eczema, psoriasis)
• Sequelae of stroke syndrome (aphasia, hemiplegia)
• Seventh nerve palsy
• Severe hyperthermia
• Sleep disorders
• Sprains and contusions
• Temporo-mandibular joint derangement, bruxism
• Urinary incontinence, retention (neurogenic, spastic, adverse drug effect)
• Additionally, other sources advocate the use of acupuncture for the following conditions:
• Infertility

FirstLine Therapy

FirstLine Therapy is a lifestyle modification program that can help you improve your health, improve body composition, and change your life!

FirstLine therapy consultations and exams are always performed by Dr. Johnson. You will get 1 on 1 attention every visit to determine your progress in the program.

FirstLine Therapy is a specific program that will take you step by step to achieve your goals. The patient manual will give you simple every day hints to take control of your health such as diet, exercise, stress management, and specific nutritional supplementation. This program is very important for the treatment of chronic illness. Lifestyle changes are recommended every day, take advantage of this program to get back on track.

FirstLine Therapy helps reduce the risk of:

• Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Overweight
• High Cholesterol
• High Blood Pressure
• High Blood Sugar
• Alzheimer's Disease

Therapeutic Lifestyle Modification will address health concerns such as:

• Fatigue
• Hormone Imbalance
• Low Sex Drive
• Stress-related symptoms
• Poor Memory
• Chronic illness
• Sleep Disturbances
• Recurring colds

A healthy lifestyle today will benefit you in the future. The time for lifestyle change is now. This program will hold you accountable to track your progress. You will learn to eat correctly, exercise for your body type, control snack cravings with healthy meal replacement medical foods and overall improve your everyday life.

Don't diet, change your lifestyle with FirstLine Therapy...Lasting health benefits for a lifetime!

Massage Therapy

Therapeutic Massage involves manipulation of the soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasm, and stress. It also improves functioning of the circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous systems, and may improve the rate at which the body recovers from injury and illness.

Available Massage Modalities:

• Deep Tissue: Releases chronic tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons, and fascia.
• Swedish Massage: A system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combines with active and passive movements on the joints.
• Reflexology: A system of points in the hands and feet thought to correspond or "reflex" to all areas of the body.
• Perinatal: A great way to relieve everyday tension and the general aches and pains during and after pregnancy.

Rates for Massage Therapy:

Emily's Rates:

Deep Tissue:

• 30 minutes $50
• 60 minutes $80
• 90 minutes $115

Swedish:

• 30 minutes $40
• 60 minutes $70
• 90 minutes $105

Jessica's Rates:

• 30 minutes: $35
• 60 minutes: $65
• 90 minutes: $95

If future sessions are booked at checkout the pricing is as follows:

1 week out - $20 for 30 minutes, $35 for 1 hour, $65 for 90 minutes

2 weeks out - $25 for 30 minutes, $45 for 1 hour, $75 for 90 minutes

3 weeks out - $30 for 30 minutes, $55 for 1 hour, $85 for 90 minutes

4+ weeks out regular rates.

Headaches

Headaches affect just about everyone at some point and they can present themselves in many different ways. Some people only experience pain in one part of their head or behind their eyes, some people experience a pounding sensation inside their whole head, and some people experience nausea, while others do not. The pain itself may be dull or sharp and may last for anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. Fortunately, very few headaches have serious underlying causes, but those that do require urgent medical attention.

Although headaches can be due to a wide variety of causes, such as drug reactions, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), tightness in the neck muscles, low blood sugar, high blood pressure, stress and fatigue, the majority of recurrent headaches are of two types: tension headaches (also called cervicogenic headaches) and migraine headaches. There is a third, less common, type of headaches called a cluster headache that is a cousin to the migraine. Lets start out by taking a look at each of these three types of headaches.

Tension Headaches

Tension type headaches are the most common, affecting upwards of 75% of all headache sufferers. Most people describe a tension headache as a constant dull, achy feeling either on one side or both sides of the head, often described as a feeling of a tight band or dull ache around the head or behind the eyes. These headaches usually begin slowly and gradually and can last for minutes or days, and tend to begin in the middle or toward the end of the day. Tension headaches are often the result of stress or bad posture, which stresses the spine and muscles in the upper back and neck.

Tension headaches, or stress headaches, can last from 30 minutes to several days. In some cases, chronic tension headaches may persist for many months. Although the pain can at times be severe, tension headaches are usually not associated with other symptoms, such as nausea, throbbing or vomiting.

The most common cause of tension headaches is subluxations in the upper back and neck, especially the upper neck, usually in combination with active trigger points. When the top cervical vertebrae lose their normal motion or position, a small muscle called the rectus capitis posterior minor (RCPM) muscle goes into spasm. The problem is that this small muscle has a tendon which slips between the upper neck and the base of the skull and attaches to a thin pain-sensitive tissue called the dura mater that covers the brain. Although the brain itself has no feeling, the dura mater is very pain-sensitive. Consequently, when the RCPM muscle goes into spasm and its tendon tugs at the dura mater, a headache occurs. People who hold desk jobs will tend to suffer from headaches for this reason.

Another cause of tension type headaches comes from referred pain from trigger points in the Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) or levator muscle on the side of the neck. These are much more common in people who suffer a whiplash injury due to the muscle damage in the neck region.

Migraine Headaches

Each year, about 25 million people in the U.S. experience migraine headaches, about 75% are women. Migraines are intense and throbbing headaches that are often associated with nausea and sensitivity to light or noise. They can last from as little as a few hours to as long as a few days. Many of those who suffer from migraines experience visual symptoms called an "aura" just prior to an attack that is often described as seeing flashing lights or that everything takes on a dream-like appearance.

Migraine sufferers usually have their first attack before age 30 and they tend to run in families, supporting the notion that there is a genetic component to them. Some people have attacks several times a month; others have less than one a year. Most people find that migraine attacks occur less frequently and become less severe as they get older.

Migraine headaches are caused by a constriction of the blood vessels in the brain, followed by a dilation of blood vessels. During the constriction of the blood vessels there is a decrease in blood flow, which is what leads to the visual symptoms that many people experience. Even in people who dont experience the classic migraine aura, most of them can tell that an attack is immanent. Once the blood vessels dilate, there is a rapid increase in blood pressure inside the head. It is this increased pressure that leads to the pounding headache. Each time the heart beats it sends another shock wave through the carotid arteries in the neck up into the brain.

There are many theories about why the blood vessels constrict in the first place, but no one knows for sure. What we do know is that there are a number of things that can trigger migraines, such as lack of sleep, stress, flickering lights, strong odors, changing weather patterns and several foods; especially foods that are high in an amino acid called tyramine. At the end of this chapter, I have listed a number of foods that are most likely to trigger migraines, as well as some lifestyle changes that you can make to reduce the likelihood that you will trigger a migraine headache.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are typically very short-duration, excrutiating headaches, usually felt on one side of the head behind the eyes. Cluster headaches affect about 1 million people in the United States and, unlike migraines, are much more common in men. This is the only type of headache that tends to occur at night. The reason that they are called cluster headaches is that they tend to occur one to four times per day over a period of several days. After one cluster of headaches is over, it may be months or even years, before they occur again. Like migraines, cluster headaches are likely to be related to a dilation of the blood vessels in the brain, causing a localized increase in pressure.

Chiropractic Care for Headaches

Numerous research studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments are very effective for treating tension headaches, especially headaches that originate in the neck.

A report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that "spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than commonly prescribed medications." These findings support an earlier study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics that found spinal manipulative therapy to be very effective for treating tension headaches. This study also found that those who stopped chiropractic treatment after four weeks continued to experience a sustained benefit in contrast to those patients who received pain medication.

Each individuals case is different and requires a thorough evaluation before a proper course of chiropractic care can be determined. However, in most cases of tension headaches, significant improvement is accomplished through manipulation of the upper two cervical vertebrae, coupled with adjustments to the junction between the cervical and thoracic spine. This is also helpful in most cases of migraine headaches, as long as food and lifestyle triggers are avoided as well.

Trigger Point Therapy for Headaches

Trigger point therapy for headaches tends to involve four muscles: the Splenius muscles, the Suboccipitals, the Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and the Trapezius. (see Anatomy of a headache.) The Splenius muscles are comprised of two individual muscles the Splenius Capitis and the Splenius Cervicis. Both of these muscles run from the upper back to either the base of the skull (splenius capitis) or the upper cervical vertebrae (splenius cervicis). Trigger points in the Splenius muscles are an extremely common cause of headache pain that travels through the head to the back of the eye, as well as to the top of the head.

The Suboccipitals are actually a group of four small muscles that are responsible for maintaining the proper movement and positioning between the first cervical vertebra and the base of the skull. Trigger points in these muscles will cause pain that feels like its inside the head, extending from the back of the head to the eye and forehead. Often times it will feel like the whole side of the head hurts, a pain pattern similar to that experienced with a migraine.

The Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle runs from the base of the skull, just behind the ear, down the side of the neck to attach to the top of the sternum (breastbone). Although most people are not aware of the SCM trigger points, their effects can be very widespread, including referred pain, balance problems and visual disturbances. Referred pain patterns tend to be deep eye pain, headaches over the eye and can even cause earaches. Another unusual characteristic of SCM trigger points is that they can cause dizziness, nausea and unbalanced.

The trapezius muscle is the very large, flat muscle in the upper and mid back. A common trigger point located in the very top of the Trapezius muscle refers pain to the temple and back of the head and is sometimes responsible for headache pain. This trigger point is capable of producing satellite trigger points in the muscles in the temple or jaw, which can lead to jaw or tooth pain.

Avoid Headache Triggers

• Stress may be a trigger, but certain foods, odors, menstrual periods, and changes in weather are among many factors that may also trigger headache.
• Emotional factors such as depression, anxiety, frustration, letdown, and even pleasant excitement may be associated with developing a headache.
• Keeping a headache diary will help you determine whether factors such as food, change in weather, and/or mood have any relationship to your headache pattern.
• Repeated exposure to nitrite compounds can result in a dull, pounding headache that may be accompanied by a flushed face. Nitrite, which dilates blood vessels, is found in such products as heart medicine and dynamite, but is also used as a chemical to preserve meat. Hot dogs and other processed meats containing sodium nitrite can cause headaches.
• Eating foods prepared with monosodium glutamate (MSG) can result in headache. Soy sauce, meat tenderizer, and a variety of packaged foods contain this chemical which is touted as a flavor enhancer.
• Headache can also result from exposure to poisons, even common household varieties like insecticides, carbon tetrachloride, and lead. Children who ingest flakes of lead paint may develop headaches. So may anyone who has contact with lead batteries or lead-glazed pottery.
• Foods that are high in the amino acid tyramine should also be avoided, such as ripened cheeses (cheddar, brie), chocolate, as well as any food pickled or fermented foods.

Low Back Pain

Eighty percent of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor's office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. In fact, it is estimated that low back pain affects more than half of the adult population each year and more than 10% of all people experience frequent bouts of low back pain.

The susceptibility of the low back to injury and pain is due to the fact that the low back, like the neck, is a very unstable part of the spine. Unlike the thoracic spine, which is supported and stabilized by the rib cage. This instability allows us to have a great deal of mobility to touch our toes, tie our shoes or pick something up from the ground, but at the cost of increased risk of injury.

As long as it is healthy and functioning correctly, the low back can withstand tremendous forces without injury. Professional powerlifters can pick up several hundred pounds off the floor without injuring their low back. However, if the low back is out of adjustment or has weakened supporting muscles, something as simple as taking a bag of groceries out of the trunk of their car, picking something up off the floor, or even simply bending down to pet the cat can cause a low back injury.

Until recently, researchers believed that back pain would heal on its own. We have learned, however, that this is not true. Recent studies showed that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily, but will most likely return. It is important to take low back pain seriously and seek professional chiropractic care. This is especially true with pain that recurs over and over again. Contact our chiropractor . . . we can help!

The Causes of Low Back Pain

There are many different conditions that can result in low back pain, including: sprained ligaments, strained muscles, ruptured disks, trigger points and infamed joints. While sports injuries or accidents can lead to injury and pain, sometimes even the simplest movements, like picking up a pencil from the floor, can have painful results. In addition, conditions such as arthritis, poor posture, obesity, psychological stress and even kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss can lead to pain.

Due to the fact that there are a whole lot of things that can cause low back pain, and some of those things can be quite serious if left untreated, it is important to seek professional help. Chiropractors are the experts at diagnosing the cause and determining the proper treatment for low back pain. Here are some of the most common causes I see:

Subluxations

Whenever there is a disruption in the normal movement or position of the vertebrae, the result is pain and inflammation. In the lumbar spine, these usually occur at the transition between the lower spine and the sacrum. Subluxations can lead to debilitating low back pain. Fortunately, subluxations are easily treatable and often times a significant reduction in pain is experienced almost immediately after treatment.

Disc Herniations

Contrary to popular belief, a herniated disc does not automatically mean that you are going to suffer from low back pain. In fact, one study found that almost half of all adults had at least one bulging or herniated disc, even though they did not suffer any back pain from it. On the other hand, herniated discs can be a source of intense and debilitating pain that frequently radiates to other areas of the body. Unfortunately, once a disc herniates, they rarely, if ever, completely heal. Further deterioration can often be avoided through regular chiropractic care, but a complete recovery is much less common.

Sprains, Strains and Spasms

This is commonly the source of low back pain among the "weekend warriors". You know, the type who have very little physical activity during the week, but once the weekend arrives, they push themselves way too much. By the end of the weekend, they are lying flat on their back counting down the hours before they can get in to see their chiropractor. Overworking the muscles or ligaments of the low back can lead to small tears in the tissues, which then become painful, swollen and tight.

Stress

Whenever you become stressed, your body responds by increasing your blood pressure and heart rate, flooding your body with stress hormones and tightening up your muscles. When you are stressed all the time, the chronic tension causes your muscles to become sore, weak and loaded with trigger points. If you are stressed out all of the time and you have low back pain, it is important to do some relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing, as well as to get regular exercise.

Treating Low Back Pain With Chiropractic

Chiropractic treatment for low back pain is usually pretty straightforward. Most commonly, it's simply a matter of adjusting the lower lumbar vertebrae and pelvis to re-establish normal motion and position of your bones and joints.

Chiropractic for the low back has been repeatedly shown to be the most effective treatment for low back pain. In fact, major studies have shown that chiropractic care is more effective, cheaper and has better long-term outcomes than any other treatment. This makes sense because chiropractic care is the only method of treatment that serves to re-establish normal vertebral motion and position in the spine. All other treatments, such as muscle relaxants, pain killers and bed rest, only serve to decrease the symptoms of the problem and do not correct the problem itself.

In 1999, Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BCBS) of Kansas presented a study of health care statistics of different types of treatment for low back pain. The results showed that chiropractic was more cost-effective than anesthesiology; neurosurgery; neurology; registered physical therapy; orthopedic reconstructive surgery; physical medicine and rehabilitation; and rheumatology. This study confirmed what many others have in the past - that patients suffering from back problems are in much better hands by going to their chiropractor.

Nutrition

You are what you eat, right? That is very true and hence the importance of nutritional supplements. Here is a list of frequently asked questions about nutrition and supplements:

Q: Why can't I get everything I need from my diet?

A: There are several reasons for this. First, remember that as a society, our dietary habits have changed over the past couple of generations. A healthy diet consists of plenty of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Fruits and vegetables should be preferably fresh. Fresh frozen is still good, but not as good as "off the farm" fresh! Recent studies indicate that the majority of meals in the U.S. are eaten in restaurants rather than in the home. Restaurant food tends to be too high in fat and sugar. Additionally, convenience foods now make up a much higher percentage of the average diet than they did in the past. In some people well over 60% of their food is from so-called "empty" calorie foods (candy, sweets, chips, or other highly processed foods that contain very little real nutritional value other than calories). Remember that the more highly processed a food is, the more likely it is to have a low nutritional value.

Another factor is the high stresses found in today's fast-paced and busy life. The greater the external stresses, the higher the nutritional demands on the body. Eating a poor-quality diet robs you of the nutritional factors necessary to help you stay healthy.

Lastly, many people are simply unaware of how to shop for healthy foods. Convenience and taste become the major criteria for food selection, while nutritional value is given little attention, if any at all.

Many nutritional researchers point to the rising problems of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other diseases of modern society as evidence of the deteriorating quality of the diet most people consume. If you have questions about your diet, it is important that you discuss them with Dr. Johnson on your next visit.

Q: Where do vitamins come from?

A: Vitamins are substances found in food that are required by your body to convert the food into energy. Since we cannot manufacture these substances, we need to get them from our diet. Unfortunately, the foods that many of us choose to eat have had most of the vitamins processed out. As many as thirty or forty vitamins and minerals may be taken out of our food; "enriched" foods may have a dozen added back. Generally the richest source of vitamins and minerals comes from fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains. The worst sources are snack foods such as candy, chips, or highly-processed white flour bread or bakery items. While these may be okay in small quantities, they make up a significant proportion of many diets, which may put people at risk to nutritional deficiencies.

Q: Why is it necessary to take vitamin supplements to be healthy?

A: The simplest answer is because most people eat a poor diet. Studies show that the average diet in the U.S. consists of too much fat, too much sugar, not enough fiber, and not enough fresh fruits and vegetables. We are eating plenty of calories, but they are often "empty" calories, meaning that they have very low levels of the essential vitamins and minerals we need to stay healthy. Since the majority of meals in the U.S. are currently eaten in restaurants or "on the run" it makes good sense to take a vitamin supplement to fill in the gaps in our diet.

While it is important to remember the value of a nutritional supplement in maintaining health, we should never think that taking a supplement replaces a good diet. In other words, the first and most important step is to improve the quality of the diet, and then take a supplement as a nutritional insurance policy.

Q: In order to stay healthy, what is a good basic supplement program?

A: Each person is unique, so each person's nutritional needs would also be unique. A prudent course of action to stay healthy would begin with eating a healthy diet. This means to avoid highly processed foods (candies, snack foods, convenience foods) or foods high in refined sugar or flour, as these tend to have low levels of important vitamins and minerals. A high quality multiple vitamin/mineral supplement is helpful to "fill in the gaps" in the diet. While other nutrients also may be helpful, it is important to remember your individuality and discuss the specific additional nutrients you might need with Dr. Johnson.

Q: Where should I purchase Nutritional Supplements?

A: Nutritional Supplements are not bound to FDA clearance therefore many companies are making low quality products. Buying supplements is the same as other products, you get what you pay for. Johnson Chiropractic & Acupuncture only carries supplements held to the highest manufacturing standards. Dr. Johnson personally uses the supplements he carries. Dr. Johnson chooses to use supplements from Metagenics, Nutri-West, Apex Energetics, Ness, Thorne, Biotics Research, and Standard Process. These companies are the gold standard for quality nutrition.