There seems to be a lot of confusion and controversy surrounding the topic of the H1N1 swine flu vaccine.  Here is my opinion:  don’t get vaccinated.  I’m not.  This is a flu virus.  The human immune system is set up to adapt to new strains of viruses all of the time.  This is how it learns.  Statistics show no increase in yearly deaths related to the influenza virus worldwide; we are at the normal average calculated over the last 20 years.  Other studies show that flu vaccines don’t even work.  Media has blown the death toll numbers out of proportion.  Of the 3,600 deaths being reported, only 257 are listed on the Center for Disease Control (CDC)’s website as having tested positive for the virus whereas the rest were deaths related to pneumonia, a bacterial complication.

To me, the risks involved in getting the flu shot far outweigh any potential (not even proven) benefit.

New studies out of China have found that the Indigo plant, from which 3 Chinese herbs (Qing Dai, Da Qing Ye and Ban Lan Gen) are derived, has been effective in treating the swine flu.  These herbs have been known for some time in Chinese Medicine to be antiviral agents.

Here is a website with a good summary of reasons not to get vaccinated: http://www.chronogram.com/issue/2009/11/Whole+Living/What-the-F?page=1

I was sent the links to the following series of youtube videos.  I imagine being Dr. Null, knowing all that information, would be somewhat frustrating.

Part 1.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3XlJB7J5-o&NR=1Part 2.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch5OuzB9L48Part 3.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAgWO2yq1k8&NR=1

By Dr. Robin Armstrong, Vancouver Chiropractor

Pain is more than a symptom of osteoarthritis. It causes biochemical changes that may contribute to the destruction of joints, a team of U.S. researchers has found.

The work,done in mice, show that compounds produced when mice process pain signals from injured joints may damage cartilage, the tough elastic material that covers and protects the ends of bones.

Until relatively recently, doctors and researchers believed the breakdown of cartilage that causes osteoarthritis was solely the result of wear and tear and part of the aging process.

Researchers used genetically engineered mice to learn more about the interleukin 1 beta chemical’s role in osteoarthritis. When they turned up the production of the chemical in the jaws of animals with the disease, they found higher levels in the pain processing centre of the spinal chord as well.

When they turned up levels of the chemical in their spines, they detected a corresponding spike in the injured joints. This suggests there is “crosstalk” between the spine and the joint.

When the researchers shut down this signalling pathway with drugs, both the pain and the arthritis went away, perhaps because pain normally triggers the release of other chemicals that cause inflammation. If inflammation had continued unabated, it might have led to further joint damage, researchers speculated.

With the inflammatory process halted “the joint had a chance to heal.”

Early pain treatment could have a beneficial effect and perhaps limit damage in potentially arthritic joints. Chiropractic, accupuncture, massage therapy, and natural remedies can all help you deal with pain and inflammation naturally. You can avoid the long term side effects of pain on the joint, and know that you are using safe, non-invasive treatments to achieve it.

Healthy News from your Qi Interated Health Team,

Dr.Armstrong, Kiem, Peter, Francesca, Kelly and Dr.Adatya.

By Dr. Robin Armstrong, Vancouver Chiropractor

Researchers have found a possible link between the use of the pain medication acetaminophen (sold as Tylenol) in early childhood and the later development of asthma, nasal allergies and eczema.

For the study, the researchers asked parents or guardians of children aged 6 to 7 to complete a questionnaire.They were asked if the children were given acetaminophen-based medications and whether the kids later developed asthma or other symptoms.

The results revealed that children who received acetaminophen for the treatment of fever in the first year of life were, on average, 46 per cent more likely to develop asthma by the age of 6 or 7, compared with infants not given the medication.

What’s more, the use of acetaminophen during the first year was associated with a boost in the risk of rhinoconjunctivitis (nasal allergies) by 48 per cent and eczema (a skin condition) by 35 per cent.

The risks were highest among those children who were treated the most frequently with acetaminophen.

Substituting another over the counter medication such as Aspirin would not be appropriate as this has been linked to a condition known as Reye’s Syndrome.

Alternatives to over the counter medication such as traditional Chinese medicine, or homeopathic remedies from your naturopath may be a more viable alternative to help bring down fever or relieve pain by treating the source of the problem.

Call the clinic and ask about our pediatric treatments. Depending on your child’s condition we will direct you towards the appropriate practitioner. All our practitioners have additional training in treating children (chiropractic, traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathic medicine and massage therapy).

Healthy News from your Qi Interated Health Team,

Dr.Armstrong, Kiem, Kelly, Dr. Adatya, Francesca, and Peter