"Just getting dressed was an ordeal....."

When I came to Dr. Galzarano's office I was in such pain, I couldn't sit, stand, and when I did anything it was so painful. Just getting dressed was an ordeal. After a few sessions I felt a difference. Between the therapy in the office and exercises he gave me to do at home, within a few weeks I was so much better. I wasn't 100% yet but I felt I was on my way to getting back to normal.

Once I was able to do all the things I did before, I went on his maintenance program. This is a great program. It really kept me in shape to do the exercises at home. I have the energy to walk 4 miles a day. I'm 63 years old. To start walking now is an accomplishment. Without Dr. Galzarano and the therapy I received I don't think I would be in shape to walk.

This is a real success story for me.

Lillian Cornman

The "Aging Well" Program

The oldest of the "Baby Boomer" generation (1946 through 1964) is now 62 years old. The youngest among us is forty-two. Other than being born between those years, one thing we have in common with each other is the NONE of us, NOT ONE OF US (other than a few suffering from a particularly peculiar mental illness) wants to be sick, or tired, or stiff, or in pain, or disabled. We especially do not want to become a burden on our families or society in general.

Not only that, but we want to continue to do those physical activities that we enjoy: golfing, gardening, dancing, bide riding, hiking, swimming, etc. (Yes, even etcetera. Maybe especially etcetera.) Many of us intend to, either by choice or necessity, to keep working long past the traditional retirement age. Of course, we may have to modify the way we go about it - none of us are 18 anymore - but we want to keep going.

We want to die as young as possible at a ripe old age.

The next time you are on a busy street or in the mall, take a look around you. Of those you see who may be “Baby Boomers” or older, who seems young and vital and who appears old and decrepit? Watch them coming and watch them going past you. Forget about obvious features like gray hair and wrinkles. Concentrate on posture and movement. Do you see small, unsure shuffling steps or confident strides? Is the person erect and alert to his or her surroundings or stooped over and looking at the floor? It’s easy to see that posture and movement are the two most obvious factors that distinguish the young from the old. It would not be difficult to figure out which of those two groups is able to live life more fully.

There are aging factors such as genetics, certain illnesses, and accidents that are beyond our control. That is why it is so important to play the hand we were dealt as wisely as possible. Just a little bit of effort now can make such a difference later. It can literally make the difference between living independently at home, or in an assisted living facility or a nursing home.

It’s hard for me to believe that I will turn 60 next October. (It’s gratifying that, at least most of the time, it is hard for those I tell to believe that as well.) I am doing all that I can to prepare myself for the (hopefully) coming years. I am offering you the same opportunity.

Of course, I will continue to do my best to get all who come to me in pain to get out of pain as quickly as possible. But I want to do more to help all of my patients of all ages, but especially those of my generation, to learn a few simple tools that you can use everyday so that you can improve and maintain the three keys to a youthful frame.

They are: BALANCE, ALIGNMENT, and MOVEMENT.

I recently passed my certification test on the BodyZone system. It is a brilliant approach to teaching patients a basic routine which targets these three important facets of growing older gracefully. There are different levels within each facet so that over the course of 2 to 4 months each person can develop the routine that best suits him or her. The point is to develop an individualized 10 minute daily routine, which together with periodic spinal adjustments will allow you to achieve and maintain strong posture, balance, and movement that will serve you well in the years to come.

Story of the Month (June 2008)

I came to Dr. Galzarano's office with severe pain in my lower back. After 4 weeks of cold laser treatment and chiropractic adjustments, my pain has greatly diminished. I can move without the fear.

On another occasion, I came to Dr. Galzarano suffering from pain in my jaw (TMJ) and neck after having a long dental procedure. He used a new technique with the ultrasound machine and identified the origin of the pain and treated it. After three treatments, the pain stopped.

I'm so thrilled to have such a caring and compassionate doctor.

Jorjina Floyd

Artic Root

Here is an article from the October 2002 issue of "Alternative Medicine Review" that gives the current research on the Artic Root herb:

Rhodiola rosea - Monograph - overview of medicinal plant known as golden root and artic root

Description

Rhodiola rosea (also known as golden root and Arctic root) has been categorized as an adaptogen by Russian researchers due to its observed ability to increase resistance to a variety of chemical, biological, and physical stressors. It is a popular plant in traditional medical systems in Eastern Europe and Asia, with a reputation for stimulating the nervous system, improving depression, enhancing work performance, improving sleep, eliminating fatigue, and preventing high altitude sickness. (1)

Active constituents

Rhodiola species contain a range of antioxidant compounds, including p-tyrosol, organic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid), and flavonoids (catechins and proanthocyanidins). (2,3)

The stimulating and adaptogenic properties of Rhodiola rosea are attributed to p-tyrosol, salidroside (synonym: rhodioloside and rhodosin), rhodioniside, rhodiolin, rosin, rosavin, rosarin, mad rosiridin. (1,4) Rosavin is the constituent currently selected for standardization of extracts. (5)

p-Tyrosol has been shown to be readily and dose-dependently absorbed after an oral dose; (6,7) however, pharmacokinetic data on the other adaptogenic compounds found in Rhodiola rosea is unavailable.

Mechanisms of Action

The adaptogenic properties, cardiopulmonary protective effects, and central nervous system activities of Rhodiola rosea have been attributed primarily to its ability to influence levels and activity of biogenic monoamines such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the cerebral cortex, brain stem, and hypothalamus. It is believed the changes in monoamine levels are due to inhibition of the activity of enzymes responsible for monoamine degradation and facilitation of neurotransmitter transport within the brain. (8)

In addition to these central effects, Rhodiola has been reported to prevent both catecholamine release and subsequent cyclic AMP elevation in the myocardium, and the depletion of adrenal catecholamines induced by acute stress. (9)

Rhodiola's adaptogenic activity might also be secondary to induction of opioid peptide biosynthesis and through the activation of both central and peripheral opioid receptors. (10-13)

Clinical Indications

Chronic Stress

In a physical endurance test, Rhodiola administration increased rat swimming time 135-159 percent. (14) When Rhodiola-treated rats were subjected to a four-hour period of non-specific stress, the expected elevation in beta-endorphin was either not observed or substantially decreased, leading researchers to the conclusion that the characteristic stress-induced perturbations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis can be decreased or totally prevented by Rhodiola supplementation. (10)

It is suggested that this plant has great utility as a therapy in asthenic conditions (decline in work performance, sleep disturbances, poor appetite, irritability, hypertension, headaches, and fatigue) developing subsequent to intense physical or intellectual strain, influenza and other viral exposures, and other illness. (15) Supplementation favorably influenced fatigue and mental performance in physicians during the first two weeks on night duty. (16)

Students receiving a standardized extract of Rhodiola rosea demonstrated significant improvements in physical fitness, psychomotor function, mental performance, and general well-being. Subjects receiving the Rhodiola extract also reported statistically significant reductions in mental fatigue, improved sleep patterns, a reduced need for sleep, greater mood stability, and a greater motivation to study. The average exam scores between students receiving the Rhodiola extract and placebo were 3.47 and 3.20, respectively. (17)

Cancer

All of the anticancer research on Rhodiola has been conducted in animal models. In these models, administration has resulted in inhibition of tumor growth and decreased metastasis in rats with transplanted solid Ehrlich adenocarcinoma and metastasizing rat Pliss lymphosarcoma (18) and transplanted Lewis lung carcinomas. (19)

Combining Rhodiola rosea extract with the anti-tumor agent cyclophosphamide in animal tumor models resulted in enhanced anti-tumor and anti-metastatic efficacy of drug treatment, as well as reduced drug-induced toxicity. (19) Animal experimental data notes the addition of Rhodiola rosea extract to a protocol with Adriamycin results in improved inhibition of tumor dissemination (as compared to that found with Adriamycin alone). The combined protocol also prevented liver toxicity. (20)

Side Effects and Toxicity

Clinical feedback indicates, at doses of 1.5-2.0 grams and above, Rhodiola rosea extract standardized for 2% rosavin might cause some individuals to experience an increase in irritability and insomnia within several days.

Evidence on the safety and appropriateness of Rhodiola rosea supplementation during pregnancy and lactation is currently unavailable.

Dosage

Dosage varies depending upon standardization. For chronic administration, a daily dose of 360-600 mg Rhodiola extract standardized for 1% rosavin, 180-300 mg of an extract standardized for 2% rosavin, or 100-170 mg of an extract standardized for 3.6% rosavin is suggested. Administration is normally begun several weeks prior to a period of expected increased physiological, chemical, or biological stress, and continued throughout the duration of the challenging event or activity.

Use these links for more information:

Related Results

WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants

Acute Rhodiola rosea intake can improve endurance exercise performance

A Natural Solution for Teenage Angst

Extract of Rhodiola rosea radix reduces the level of C-reactive protein and...

Rhodiola: this Russian root can zap your fatigue in one dose - Herb brief -...

"CRACK-FREE" CHIROPRACTIC

If you could get all the benefits of chiropractic care without the “popping and cracking” would you be more likely to seek care?

Have you been reluctant to seek care because you “just don’t like” being adjusted?

Is even just the thought of having your neck or back “cracked” enough to keep you from getting the only real long-term solution to your problem?

Well.....you’re not the only one.

I've heard that for years. For all kinds of reasons. Everything from baseless fear of injury (fostered by certain members of the medical profession) to a “fingernails across a blackboard” reaction to the sound. Unfortunately, most of those who feel that way never seek care or quit after one or two adjustments and end up on drugs or even worse - surgery.

Well, the perfect solution is here in a remarkable, 21st Century precision adjusting tool called the “Arthrostim Manipulator”.

Patients love it because it is gentle and totally non-threatening. And, most importantly, the results have been equal to or better than the “pop/crack” style adjusting.

But don’t worry. I'm not going to stop doing hands-on adjusting. I'm just offering this as an alternative.

My Chiropractic Success Story by Zee Frasier

"Before coming to get treatment with Dr. Galzarano I was experiencing tremendously painful back spasms that not only did not go away, but over the course of three months got worse. They were so bad that I nearly fell twice from curling over in pain. I would cry out when the pain would hit me out of nowhere. I scared my fiancee to the point that he told me I had to call the chiropractor or I was going to have to go to the emergency room.
Not wanting to hear him anymore, or sit in the ER for hours, I took Linda McHale up on her offer to meet with what she called the "Miracle Worker". Linda is a coworker of mine and she had been bed-ridden because of back problems. Well, Linda went to Dr.G and in a matter of days she was walking. When I told her about my problems, she recommended that I see Dr.G.
I made my first appointment and I walked out that day feeling ten times better than I did before I came in. About a month later I'm back to the me I was before that back pain started 5 years ago.

25th Anniversary Open House & Fund Raiser

On Saturday, May 3 from 9am to 3pm we are having an open house at our office. It is a great opportunity for patients to come in, have an apple, a bagel and coffee or tea and talk with a few of their neighbors as well as getting, in some cases, a long overdue adjustment at a nominal fee.

And it is a perfect opportunity to bring in a friend, coworker, or family member whom you think could benefit, like you, from chiropractic care. Let them know that we will definitely NOT be giving away examinations with x-rays for $30 on any other day of the year.

There will also be door prizes, including an iPod. (Perfect for downloading podcasts of my health talks.)

As always, we are donating all fees collected that day to charity. In the past, we have donated to the Christopher Reeves Foundation, the Wissahickon Athletic Association, PhilaBundance, the MS Society, etc.

This year will be a bit different. The money will be divided between two memorial funds. There are two very different stories behind them. You can go to http://www.adamconboymemorialfund.org and http://www.nbc10.com/newslinks/15489597/detail.html to get the stories.

Our goal is to give at least $500 to each memorial fund. Colleagues have volunteered to help with the exams. So come help me celebrate twenty-five years in practice….and the beginning of my next twenty-five!

Give us a call now (215-483-3200), before you put the letter down, to let us know that you’ll be coming and how many people you’ll be bringing with you. If we have to stay past 3pm, we will. We will be here for as long as it takes.

Yours in Health,
Anthony P. Galzarano, D.C.