October Expert Columns
What Is Chiropractic?
By Chip Abbadessa, D.C.
The nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The
nervous system is a power and communication network that controls all body
functions. The spinal cord extends from the brain stem and enters the neural
canal of the spinal column. The spinal cord is made up of billions of nerves and
lies inside your spinal column. It is protected on all sides by bone – your
spine! The spinal cord’s nerves branch out through openings between your
vertebrae and connect to your internal organs and other body parts.
The nerves arise in the brain and travel down the spinal cord
where they branch off and cover or blanket your body, touching almost every part
of you. The nerves must be free from spinal stress to have and maintain proper
(optimal) physical health.
The focus of corrective care chiropractic is to remove all
interference to the central nerve system caused by subluxations or
misalignments. The frequency and cost of care is determined by the severity of
the subluxation and abnormal position of the spine.
The D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) specializes in the detection
and correction of subluxation. Correction of subluxation will restore the lines
of communication within your body and will improve your overall body function.
Correction will improve your body’s natural healing potential and your
body’s well being.
Drugs do not correct the cause of a person’s problems. They
temporarily relieve a person’s symptoms but as soon as the effect wears off,
the symptoms return. This is a difficult way to go through life. If drugs
actually make you healthy then those taking the most drugs should be the
healthiest but of course we know these people are usually the sickest. Side
effects may cause even more problems and a person may become dependent on more
drugs. Drugs take away our body’s natural healing ability and make us
dependent on artificial supports. Drugs cover up the body’s warning signals
that are telling us that something is wrong. When you take drugs, you feel
better but your health continues to deteriorate.
Your body can make everything it needs – painkillers,
antibiotics, insulin, hormones and hundreds of other chemicals or natural drugs.
They are right there inside you. If your body is working right with no
interferences, your body has its own internal drugstore. Correction of vertebral
subluxations turns on your body’s natural healing ability (without drugs).
Many things contribute to your health, quality air, water,
nutritional food and a healthy spine and nervous system! To find out more,
please contact Dr. Chip Abbadessa at 234-5535.
Chip Abbadessa, D.C. has been a chiropractor since 1988 and practices out of the Castle Professional Center in Kaneohe. Call 234-5535 or visit www.docchip.com.
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Health Alert: DOES YOUR WIGGLE GIGGLE?
Lecithin – An Amazing Youth Element
By Teresa Denney, D.O.
Q: Is
Lipo-Lyte safe?
A: Yes.
Lipo-Lyte is a special, injectable mixture containing purified lecithin, as well
as specific vitamins and nutrients to stabilize and optimize the fat-dissolving
effect. Lecithin is a naturally occurring substance in the body, first used in
the 1950s to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
Q: Is
injectable Lecithin FDA approved?
A:
Yes. In April 1999, the Food and Drug Administration approved for
injection a Baxter Healthcare Corp. product that contains lecithin. Since then,
both Baxter and Compounding Pharmacies have been able to produce this product.
Q: How can
it be assured that the appropriate amount of fat — neither too little nor too
much — is dissolved?
A:
The Lipo-Lyte procedure has proven already to be safe and very
predictable. Along with the clinical experience of our doctors and staff,
results are very consistent.
Q: If the
Lipo-Lyte shot dissolves fatty tissue, does it also dissolve other tissue?
A:
No. Lipo-Lyte activates certain enzymes, which naturally dissolve only
fat cells. Thus just the selected areas are slimmed and trimmed.
Q: What is
the future of Lipo-Lyte?
A:
Our center has signed an exclusive collaborative agreement with a
biotechnology research institute in Denver, Colo., to determine if large
quantities of fat stores can be safely dissolved with Lipo-lyte.
Q: Is
Lecithin natural?
A: Yes.
Lecithin is a naturally occurring substance in the body, first used in the 1950s
to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
Lecithin
is the most abundant of the phospholipids. It is a fatty food substance that
serves as a structural material for every cell in the body. It is an essential
constituent of the human brain and nervous system. It forms 30 percent of the
dry weight of the brain and 17 percent of the nervous system.
Lecithin
is also an important component of the endocrine glands and the muscles of the
heart and kidneys. It makes up 73 percent of the total liver fat. Nervous,
mental or glandular over activity can consume lecithin faster than the body can
replace it. This may render a person irritable and exhausted. It is, therefore,
of utmost importance to add lecithin to the diet, if the body’s own supply
decreases — as in old age or working under stress.
Aloha
Medical Center (formally Kahala Medical Center) is giving free consultations.
Check out the web site www.lipolyte.com.
Dr. Teresa Denney, an osteopathic physician, has studied nutrition for over 30 years. She is the medical director for Aloha Medical Center in Waikiki. Visit her web-site at www.lipolyte.com. Call 732-0888 now for a free consultation.
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ASK JUDGE LEE
Title; Probate; Fraud; Prenup
By Richard Lee, J.D.
Judge Lee: After my mother passed away, my sister convinced my father to
place her name on the title so that she would have a say if something happened
to my father. My father’s will left the property to both of us equally. Do I
have a claim to half the property or do I only get half of the remaining
one-half or one-quarter of the property? Signed, “Seeking Fairness”
Dear “Seeking Fairness”: Many people are unaware of the seriousness of real
property title. For example, often people are placed on title because lenders
erroneously “require” guarantors to be on title to make the loan
“cleaner” even when this is not the
deal the parties intended. Your situation is a common one where title is
transferred to a child thinking that it will be “easier” to take care of the
property if something happens to the owner and that the child on title will be
trusted to do what’s fair. The owner sometimes even mistakenly thinks that the
will would supersede the actual title. That is simply not true, not without
litigation. If in fact you can prove fraud or mistake of fact through testimony
or documentary evidence of intent, you may make a case to claim half of the
property.
Judge Lee: I stand to inherit substantial assets and my parents are insisting
that I get a prenuptial agreement before I marry. Should I do it? Signed, “Not
About Money”
Dear
“Not About Money”: In today’s world of instant gratification where half of
all marriages end in divorce, it would be wiser to be safe than sorry. Without a
prenuptial agreement your spouse could be entitled to half of all earnings
during the marriage as well as half of all appreciation of all assets owned by
you at the time of divorce. A carefully drafted prenuptial agreement would be
fair to both parties and oftentimes strengthens the relationship where each
knows what the assets split will be upon divorce, rather than each guessing the
other might be thinking the marriage was for money. An enforceable prenuptial
agreement cannot be so one sided or unconscionable as to “shock the
conscious.” It must be fair both at the time of execution and at the time of
divorce; and there must be no surprises, i.e. there must be full disclosure of
the extent of the assets and earnings. And, both sides should be represented by
attorneys to prevent claims of undue influence or ignorance.
Richard Lee is a former Hawaii Judge and CPA. He holds a degree in economics from Stanford University and a Juris Doctorate from Hastings Law School. Richard Lee Consulting focuses on relieving stress for clients with real estate, business and legal problems. Mr. Lee teaches Tai Chi Qigong, provides free mediation for divorcing couples and is the founder of Perfect Mate Internat’l. He can be reached at 957-0000 or at rlee@richardleeconsulting.com.
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Ohana
Hearing Care Offers
By Don "Kona" Smith
More
than 100,000 people have a correctable hearing loss. Yet less than 25 percent of
these people have sought relief from this condition.
Hearing
loss - even a mild hearing loss - can be more than just an inconvenience. Poor
communication can be the source of tension and stress at home, on the job and
between friends.
It
doesn’t have to be that way. Nearly everyone with a hearing loss can be
helped. Today there are viable solutions that work for virtually all types and
degrees of hearing loss.
Providing
patients with better hearing in noisy situations has always been a challenge.
Recent developments in digital technology have enabled hearing aid users to
hearing aid users. Clinical studies confirm that the latest digital hearing aids
diminish background sounds up to twice that of ordinary aids. New “smart
direction” technology actually senses when to reduce background noise for
clearer understanding in noise.
Advanced
hearing cares centers, such as Ohana Hearing Care in Honolulu, offers an
exclusive “instant” test and demonstration for anyone with a hearing
problem. Ohana pioneered this new method that uses specialized computer
equipment that analyzes hearing loss and demonstrates a solution all within a
few minutes time. The results are accurate and dramatic.
Additional,
new technology enable a large variety of products as such TV Ears.” This new
product is great for crystal-clear TV listening. It works great for all family
members. Also available are “Aquanots” ear protection for swimmers and
custom-fitted “Soundblock” protectors are a must for anyone exposed to
noise. Musicians can save their hearing with the “Master Blaster”
protectors.
In
addition, “open ear” fitting technology is very comfortable and eliminates
any sense of fullness in the ear canal. Ohana offers “total care” service
plans and “no risk” 30-day home trials.
Early
detection of hearing loss is critical to proper treatment. For more
information on the latest in hearing enhancements, or for an appointment, call
Ohana Hearing Care at 593-2137.
Don “Kona” Smith founded Ohana Hearing Care in 1966 and has received numerous national awards for helping people overcome hearing loss over the past 40 years. His staff has a combined experience of 123 years in this business. Located at 1296 Beretania St. (at Times Supermarket), the phone number is 593-2137. Visit them on the web at www.ohanahearingcare.com.
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Hawaii Healing Arts College
Who Needs Another Pain In the Neck?
By Rebecca Boswell
Constantly
rubbing your neck? Wondering if that nagging pain will ever go away?
We
spend so much time at computers, slouching on our daily commute, and doing all
kinds of things that can be a pain in the neck in more ways than one. More
frustrating still, is when this pain lingers, or worse, leads to chronic
headaches or physical limitation.
But
what do we do? Quit our jobs? Sell our cars? Say “no” to anything that is a
pain in the neck (literally and figuratively)? It sure would be nice, but many
of us do not have that luxury. Thankfully there are options available for those
of us who need to find a way to create balance in our hectic schedules and find
solutions for managing and even resolving unwanted aches and pains.
Massage
and body work provide an excellent, non-invasive, non-chemical way to relax
muscles and address chronic pain. Better still is that for each kind of pain, or
preference, there is bound to be a type of massage or body work that is right
for you. For instance, if you are interested in increasing flexibility, as well
as range of motion to eliminate muscular discomfort, Thai massage can offer
great relief. Or maybe you notice that your repetitive work habits and lifestyle
patterns have caused your body to be structurally unbalanced, thus causing
conditions that lead to strain and dysfunction. Rolfing provides an excellent
avenue for finding the body’s natural alignment for optimal pain-free living.
Suffer-
ing from a sports injury? What about sports massage? An accident? How about
medical or resolution massage? Once you begin to look at what is available, you
will see that your options seem endless.
So
if you have pain there is no reason to let it go untreated. You see, pain occurs
for a reason. It is the body’s alarm system, warning you that something is not
right. It is like the fire alarm going off when there is a fire. Just as you
would not simply ignore the alarm or try to muffle the sound instead of looking
to see why it went off, it is important to listen to your pain and seek help in
resolving it — before greater problems arise.
It
is important to take care of ourselves, now more than ever. With life throwing
so much at us each day, who needs another pain in the neck?
Rebecca Boswell, MBA, LMT is a nationally certified massage therapist and the coordinator for the Resolution Center at Hawaii Healing Arts College Hawaii Healing Arts College. Contact her at 266-2463 or email resolutioncenter@hawaii.rr.com.
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Emeralds
Aren’t the Only
By Brenda Reichel
Cleopatra,
Queen of Egypt, wore her riches of gems and emeralds. Her “emeralds”,
though, were probably peridot! A historic source of the green gem peridot is an
island near Egypt known as the Island of Saint John. While the gem peridot is a
different green from emerald, it is a beautiful gemstone in its own right.
The
larger the peridot, like many other colored gems, the richer the color. Peridots
in 10 carat or larger sizes are hard to come by, but moderately sized peridots
are now being mined by several families on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in
Gila County, Ariz. The peridot is also known to us in Hawaii as olivine.
The
peridot is a gemstone well-suited to necklaces and earrings, because these types
of mountings will not subject the gemstone to the kind of wear received by a
ring setting. This is another reason why it is important to work with a
professional whose training includes a gemological background.
The
hardness of a gemstone helps determine which mountings are best and what kind of
care is warranted in any jewelry bench work you may later require for cleaning
or repairs.
We’d
be glad to show you our collection of peridot, the gem that pleased Cleopatra.
We’d also be glad to be your full service jewelers, the jewelers you can
trust.
Breast Cancer: Save Life with Early Detection
“No one should die from breast cancer,” says Louana Kassebeer, Breast Cancer
Outreach worker at the Waimanalo Health Center, “With the amount of breast
cancer research and efforts in awareness and education, no woman or her `ohana
should have to suffer.”
The
American Cancer Society recommends:
•
Yearly mammograms starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a
woman is in good health.
•
Clinical breast exams (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam,
about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women
40 and over.
•
Women should report any breast change promptly to their health care
providers. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
•
Women at increased risk (e.g., family history, genetic tendency, past
breast cancer) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations
of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests (e.g., breast
ultrasound or MRI), or having more frequent exams. Not having the financial
support or medical insurance to be screened or treated should never be a factor
in woman’s decision to go untreated.
Women who have become diagnosed may go into denial or for different reasons may
not come back for treatment. Reasons could be for lack of insurance and money or
because of fear. The word cancer has been a negative image for many. This may
determine whether a person will seek the medical care that they need or go
without. That’s why it’s so important to educate the community about the new
research and treatments.
Save a life with early detection - it may well be your own.
Women age 50-64 without insurance or insurance that does not cover screening may
come to the Waimanalo Health Center for free screening, education and
case-management. The Waimanalo Health Center and the State Department of
Health’s Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) are working
together to provide free service. The program also covers under insured and
uninsured women age 40-50 with a history of breast cancer.
For more information and to inquire on eligibility requirements call the Waimanalo Health Center at (808) 259-7948.