Flu-proofing your Body

As we approach the time of year for vaccinations, more specifically the current Swine Flu vaccinations, there are some facts that I would like for you to consider. Always remember, fear is a powerful society motivator, especially when the information given enhances these emotions. Fortunately, there are two sides to this coin.

As I have discussed in previous articles, Medicine's traditional approach was to develop drugs that either jump started (stimulated) or slowed (depressed) the system in an attempt to restore normal balance (homeostasis). This medical approach is still practiced today. We must consider that if the disease is a result of an over or under aroused nervous system then, “good health" must be a balanced state. I believe with the swine flu, it’s an under stimulated immune system. I, as a Chiropractor, work with you to return your body from an ‘unbalanced’ state of health to one in balance.

Above is what I have based my practice and, more importantly, my life around. Therefore, I believe being well informed through valid factual information from a variety of sources is the way to reduce the typical insanity brought on by only reviewing one side of the coin on the topic of swine flu.

So what is the Swine Flu and how does it occur? “Regular swine flu is a contagious respiratory disease, caused by a type-A influenza virus that affects pigs. The current strain, A(H1N1), is a new variation of an H1N1 virus -- which causes seasonal flu outbreaks in humans -- that also contains genetic material of bird and pig versions of the flu.” (1) The cases, fatalities and spread of the swine flu can be followed via Google Maps’ Swine Flu Tracker. Also, by going to the World Health Organization’s Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response site, you can follow the most current stats on the swine flu.

While conducting my own research, I came across some things I feel you should know before you agree to accept a flu vaccination. It’s important to learn from our past, a ‘basic life 101 survival skill’. In the April 27 issue of Time magazine, an article discusses how “dozens died and hundreds were injured from vaccines as a result of the 1976 swine flu fiasco, when the Ford administration attempted to use the infection of soldiers at Fort Dix as a pretext for a mass vaccination of the entire country” (1,6). The last swine flu vaccination campaign that took place led to thousands of lawsuits within just a few months. “Damage claims totaled $1.3 billion. The vaccine claimed 25 lives and hundreds of previously healthy young adults were crippled from Guillain-Barré Syndrome. The swine flu itself claimed ONE life (2).” In addition, the swine flu pandemic never materialized and the vaccination campaign was stopped in just 10 short weeks.

If the above could happen after numerous drug trials, think about the possibility of taking a vaccination that has not been fully tested. According to an article published in Guardian July 22, 2009 “the first human trials have begun in Adelaide, Australia where adult volunteers are receiving vaccines from two pharmaceutical companies (2, 5). A pharmaceutical company actually stated "Clinical trials will be limited, due to the need to provide the vaccine to governments as quickly as possible. Additional studies will therefore be required and conducted after the vaccine is made available (2, 5)." Believe it or not, when you accept the current vaccination you will be considered part of the test trial for further development of this vaccine. Unfortunately, many do not realize that when you line up for this vaccine you are accepting a role as a test subject and to top it all off, there isn’t any proof that it is safe.

Well, we know the pharmaceutical companies have a tight deadline to provide their vaccines to various governments, but have you ever wondered how a vaccine is created and tested? “There are factors involved with this vaccine that are brand new which means it will be highly experimental and unpredictable (2)”. In an effort to speed up the process of virus cultivation and mass production, a method of procedure from the past has been changed from chicken eggs to human liver cells. As stated above, this is highly experimental and potentially unpredictable considering there hasn’t been enough time to conduct clinical trials to know the outcome. There isn’t any data to provide certainty one way or the other if this change is beneficial or not.

So why did I focus on this particular vaccination? What does all this really mean for you individually? How does this relate to Chiropractic? To start, we must all be well informed. It is not a Federal right to be well informed, it is a personal responsibility to be well informed! It may take extra time and additional effort, but I urge each of you to research and seek out information to help develop an opinion that is right for you and your family. Always dare to ask bold questions. Insist on knowing the facts and please walk into your health care professional’s office with actual printed material to share your point of view and or concerns.

Keep in mind the balanced-unbalanced system I talked about earlier is your wonderful Nervous System. It is the nervous system with which chiropractic works to restore your health. We can measure the state of your nervous system and show you why you are experiencing your health challenge. Once we have done that, then we can discuss your options, i.e. a program of care to help restore yourself to a normal state of health or recommend other options.

This is not about treating a disease, as that is not what Chiropractors do. The intent of chiropractic is to help your human body via your nervous system to return to a healthy balanced state, a state of ease and correct function by removing interference. Remember, your body does the healing. To date there isn't one documented case where a doctor healed not even a fractured bone. Us doctors, guide, assist, recommend and facilitate our patients toward health. The individual, specifically the human body and its natural inner ability is what mends and heals the person.

At Chiropractic Today, our job is to assess your nervous system and either jump start it or slow it down by means of the chiropractic adjustment, restoring it to the wonderful, normal state of balance. In addition, we are able to offer additional retraining methods and provide organic supplements to augment the power of the chiropractic adjustment. So, today is the day to call our office at 991-3511 to schedule your own Chiropractic consultation. If you would like more information about our office or our blog for additional recommendations, please visit us on the web at http://www.ChiropracticToday.com/.

Final note: Keep in mind everyone has a personal choice on how to prepare for the swine flu season. I encourage you to choose what you feel is best for you.

Sources used for this article:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/29/swine-flu.aspx
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/13/swine-flu-vaccine-makers-to-profit-50-billion-a-year.aspx
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/15/Good-Bacteria-Fight-the-Flu.aspx
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1206807/Swine-flu-jab-link-killer-nerve-disease-Leaked-letter-reveals-concern-neurologists-25-deaths-America.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jul/22/glaxosmithkline-swine-flu-vaccine
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1894129,00.html