Chiropractic care: A visit to his physical therapist

     Only 3 days have passed since my most recent chiropractic adjustment.  Today, I have an appointment with the physical therapist.  My back feels no better.  I wonder whether it might be a little too early to begin physical therapy.  I threw my back out only 10 days ago; my lower back is as stiff as ever; and, I still have to lie on my office floor between patients.  I am reassured by the fact that I don’t have radiating pain into my legs.  I suppose this means my discs are in place, and my spinal cord is not being pinched.  I decide it is better for me to not think like a doctor and instead, put my faith in the chiropractor.  I remind myself that the purpose of this endeavor is to give alternative therapies a real shot, even when they run contrary to my own preconceived beliefs.

            I meet with Sam the physical therapist.  I am prepared for a grueling work-out. Despite arriving in my work clothes, I have brought shorts and running shoes to change into.  Sam tells me there is no need to change.  I am disappointed.  I came ready to work this back problem away.  It appears my expectations for this visit were a bit misguided.

            Sam reviews my history and does a basic exam.  Primarily, he observes me bend over and attempt to touch my toes, and he watches me walk.  Surprisingly, he comes to the same conclusion as Dr. D.  My left pelvis is higher than my right.  I have never had so many people interested in the alignment of my pelvis!  Rather than suggest a heel raise, he thinks the imbalance is due to tightened hip flexor muscles which he believes he can improve with a few maneuvers and some exercises/stretches done by me in my spare time.  He takes me through multiple maneuvers, not unlike those performed by the chiropractor.  He pushes deeply in my left groin to the point of moderate discomfort.  In the end, he seems satisfied that my pelvis is less tilted (somehow he has managed to lengthen my left leg by over an inch, or so it seems).  He thinks that if I follow his prescribed exercises and stretches, I should do well.  He completes the visit with a 10 minute ultrasound treatment on my lower back.  The ultrasound generates a penetrating heat which helps my back muscles relax.  I leave with a regimen of 5 different exercises that I should perform several times a day.  I vow to comply (hopefully, more faithfully than I did the exercises recommended by the naturopath).

            Over the next 4 days, my family and I take a long relaxing weekend at a condo on the shore of Lake Erie.  I take it easy, avoid heavy lifting, and do the recommended exercises.  I seem to be improving incrementally, but not dramatically.  On return, I have one more visit with Dr. D, the chiropractor.  This last visit is the most business-like of any of the visits so far.  After a short wait, Dr. D. comes in and does a quick exam.  He spends about 10 minutes with me.  He does some non-aggressive adjustments.  This time, he does not vigorously crack my neck.  When he steps out of the room, I snoop around and I come across a poster for applied kinesiology.  Included on the poster are what appear to be pressure points on the body which correspond with various body organs.  Also, there is a list of therapeutic extracts which include the previously mentioned spleen, thyroid extracts, liver, lung, etc.  Here is a whole field of medicine practiced by Dr. D which he appears not to have brought into play.  I wonder why.  Perhaps his knowledge that I am a physician has caused him to stay in the mainstream, or maybe this is an area explored more commonly by his associates (or maybe these extracts are aerosolized and pumped into the ventilation systems of the exam rooms!).  I feel like my experimentation with chiropractic care is coming to an end.  I have seen the doctor for treatment of both my chronic lower back pain, and also during an acute flare up.

[Next week, I review the results and conclusions drawn from my visits to the Chiropractor.]

Visit to the Chiropracter: Acute back pain.

     For the next few days after my initial visit to the chiropractor, my neck remains sore.  My lower back pain is little changed despite the addition of daily stretching.  As my second visit looms, I experience trepidation regarding the upcoming adjustment of my neck.  I again contemplate canceling.  At the second visit, I am taken directly to the exam room.  Dr. D places the x-rays taken at the prior visit on the light box for viewing. He points out that my left pelvis is higher than my right.  He suggests that I might eventually require a heel raise, but for now, he wants to see how I respond to spinal adjustments.  He again instructs his assistant to “loosen me up.”  She keys in on the same tender spot along the mid-lower left side of my back.  Fortunately, this time she is less aggressive in her torture.  Dr. D returns and performs a series of adjustments similar to the first visit.  I tolerate the cracking of my neck a bit better despite experiencing the same creeping feeling as he lurks around the room with me face down on the table.  I again am sent to the decompression machine which is set this time for 12 minutes with 55 lbs. of tension.  He says he would like me back in one week.  I state my agreement, but in reality, I want to see how much of a bill I have been racking up before scheduling my return.

            My insurance covers chiropractic care at a second-tier level, unlike primary care visits to my regular doctor for which I only have to pay a small co-pay.  For the chiropractor, I have a co-pay, and I must cover my ~$1000 deductible before the insurance kicks in.  When I finally get the bill 2 weeks later, I owe a total of $252.39 for the two visits.  My insurance company has negotiated the price down from an original $510 total - kind of pricey, but not too bad.

            As the weeks pass, I am unable to appreciate any improvement in my chronic lower back stiffness.  I am underwhelmed.  I finally schedule a return visit a few months later, but little changes.  My friends tell me not to lose faith.  My brother-in-law relates his personal experience with shoulder pain which miraculously resolved with a single adjustment.  A commenter on my blog says he achieves the most benefit from the chiropractor when he is seen for acute disabling back pain rather than for non-urgent adjustments.  He relates an instance when a single adjustment helped him go from severe pain to rock climbing within a week’s time.  I am left to wonder.  Coincidentally, I do not have to wait long to put the acute back pain theory to the test.  In a particularly vigorous day, as I attempt to reclaim my youth, I play pick-up basketball in the park followed by ice hockey with my two older sons (indoor rink).  By the evening, I can feel my back stiffening up.  By the next morning, I am in a crisis.  My back pain is markedly worse and I find myself walking stooped over.  I feel myself aging rapidly!  At this rate, I will be an old man before the end of the week.  I find myself lying on the floor of my office between patients.  Now is the time to get back to the chiropractor.  Despite my skepticism, I must admit I am eager for some immediate relief.  I give Dr. D’s office a call, and I am happy to find out that I can be seen in just a couple of days.  By the time the appointment rolls around, I am in need of a savior.

            At my visit, I tell Dr. D about my worsened condition.  He gives me a nod of understanding, observes my desperate attempt to touch my toes, and then he steps out while the assistant tries to relax my tightened back with massage and some warm blankets. When Dr. D returns, he is all business.  He has me lie face down on the exam table.  He presses on the back of my pelvis bone and asks me to lift my left leg towards the sky while he pushes down.  He does a few adjustments and then again tests my leg strength.  After a few rounds of this, it appears that I am able to offer more resistance. Am I actually stronger?  Am I just trying harder?  He explains that in response to the strain of bending over while playing hockey my “glutes had given out.”  He seems quite confident that the adjustments performed should make a difference.  I choose this time to ask him for some exercises I might perform to assist with my recovery.  I would like to play a more active role in my recovery.  He blows off this question, but prescribes a visit to the physical therapist located in his office.

            I am walking more upright immediately after my visit, but as the day progresses I deteriorate to my pre-visit condition.  I hold out hope for my upcoming visit to the physical therapist and a few more adjustments with Dr. D.

Visit to the Chiropractor : Cracking my back.

As I wait for the chiropractor, I examine the walls for interesting tidbits.  The room is unremarkable except for a large exam table with many detachable parts and a complicated system of foot pedals.  On the wall directly opposite the door is a foam board with multiple cubbies containing roughly a hundred glass vials.  Arranged in alphabetical order are various pills and powders.  Most of the names are foreign to me.  I recognize one labeled “thymus” and another “spleen”.  Apparently, these are some of the herbs and homeopathic remedies that are advertised in the center’s brochure.  On the long wall to the right of the door is a bulletin board with various postings.  One is a picture which shows MRI images of a person’s lower spine.  The images are labeled “before” and “after” decompression.  The “before” shot shows a vertebral disc impinging on the spinal cord while the “after” shot looks entirely normal.  I also see an advertisement for “estronex”, a urine test that measures estrogen metabolites to determine a woman’s risk for breast cancer.  This is a bold claim, one which I sincerely doubt.  I will have to research its veracity later.

            After a short while, Dr. D enters the room.  He observes me standing, stepping forward, and perched on one leg.  He remarks that my pelvis is tilted.  One side rides higher than the other.  He then instructs me to lay face down on the exam table, and he calls for the assistant.  He instructs her to “loosen me up”.  She spends about 10 minutes attempting to relax the muscles which run along my spine.  Believe me, this is not an easy task.  She presses with her palms, her forearms, and even her elbows.  The sensation alternates between soothing and excruciating depending on where and how firmly she applies pressure.  On completion, she places some warm towels on my back and calls the doctor.  He has me remain lying face down.  He places a few lifts under my hips and then begins to do some “adjustments”.  He asks me to breathe in, presses over my mid-spine, and cracks my back.  Next, he sits at the foot of the table and pulls my legs.  Then, he begins to circle.  His circling reminds me of a vulture sizing up his prey.  I remember my friend John’s comments, and I reflexively tense up despite my best efforts to remain relaxed!  He moves in for the kill.  He presses on my head and the side of my neck and sends a ripple of cracking up my neck.  He then repeats this from the other side (not my favorite feeling).  I cautiously wiggle my hands and feet.  I am relieved to find that I am not paralyzed.  Next, he pushes down on various portions of my spine and when he does, the table collapses and makes a loud clunking sound.  He does a few further adjustments while I lie on my side and to my legs.  He is done after about 15 minutes.  It seems like a decent amount of hands-on care and face time with the doctor.

            Doctor D then recommends that we do an x-ray which we will review at the next visit.  He also prescribes a session on the decompression machine.  He inquires whether I drink soda.  When I answer in the affirmative, he gives a knowing nod of his head as if he has found the cause of all my ills.  He recommends I cut out soda, but aside from this, he doesn’t stress any other dietary restrictions.  I am struck that he does not suggest any particular exercises or lifestyle changes.  He doesn’t even make a plug for the seat rests that are littered throughout his office. 

            I am next taken to a separate room and an upright x-ray of my spine is taken.  The x-ray machine appears ancient, and the staff seems somewhat blasé about the risk of radiation exposure.  The assistant then takes me to the decompression machine which I am eager to experience after seeing the aforementioned “before” and “after” pictures.  I imagine a medieval torture device, but in fact, the machine appears benign.  I lie face down on a padded table, and a soft Velcro belt is placed around my waist.  The belt is attached to an ancient appearing machine which basically provides traction on one’s spine.  The theory is that it opens the spaces between your vertebrae.  I spend the next 10 minutes lying in a quiet room as the machine applies moderate traction to my spine. It actually feels pretty good.  After awhile, I am unhooked and led to the check out counter. I arrange a follow up visit for the following Monday.

            As I exit the building, I reflect on my visit.  Similarly to my visit with the Naturopath, I am impressed by the amount of time that was spent with me by both the doctor and his staff.  I appreciate all the hands-on time with the exception of the neck cracking.  I can see why people would prefer to see a chiropractor over an internist for their back pain.  Here, it at least seems that something is being done to get you better rather than just covering up the discomfort with pain killers.  I am surprised that I wasn’t given instruction regarding things to avoid and exercises to perform.  With the chiropractor, as opposed to the Naturopath, I seem to play little role in getting my back to feel better.  Last, my neck is sore!  Perhaps this will distract me from my lower back discomfort.

[Next week: Visit to the Chiropractor-part III]

My visit to the Chiropractor

My lower back pain, which has not abated despite the Naturopathic interventions, has led me to next see a chiropractor.  I have always viewed chiropractors through wary eyes, mainly because I value my spinal cord and the thought of someone manipulating my vertebrae (which protectively encircle the spinal cord) scares me!  As I mentioned previously, I willingly refer patients with lower back pain to chiropractors provided the patient requests it and the referral helps them get insurance reimbursement.  I am skeptical whether the patient will truly benefit.  According to my reference bible on alternative medicine, chiropractic care is the second largest primary health care field in the world.  The goal of the chiropractor is to correct vertebral subluxation. While it seems logical that correcting subluxations (a medical term for a dislocated joint - in this case, between two vertebra) should improves one’s back pain, the field of chiropractics also claims that manipulating the spine and treating vertebral subluxation can  provide additional benefits such as curing various diseases and non-orthopedic maladies.  In fact, the father of chiropractic care, Daniel Palmer, purportedly cured a man of chronic deafness following a spinal adjustment.  Also, don’t forget about the patient whom I saw in Wilkesboro diagnosed with “hepatitis” by her chiropractor.

 Prior to my visit, Beth and I went out to dinner with a couple of our friends, and I casually mentioned that I had an upcoming chiropractic visit.  My friend, John, became very animated and related that he has repeatedly visited a chiropractor ever since he was in high school.  He said every so often his back “goes out of whack” and he goes to see a chiropractor for a few adjustments and before long, his back returns to normal.  He gave me one warning though, “Be aware of the chiropractor when he moves in to adjust your neck.”  He described lying flat on an exam table with his face down.  Out of the corner of his eye, he can see the doctor circling around the room while telling him to relax.  When John appears unawares, he will do an aggressive adjustment of his neck.  Of course, this just heightens the already growing reservations which I have about my upcoming visit. By the morning of my visit my back is actually feeling a bit better and I contemplate canceling, but in the end I buck up and go.

            The office is in a non-descript single level office complex.  It is small and a bit dated compared to most doctors’ offices.  I fill out the requisite history form.  I notice back rests still wrapped in cellophane placed around the lobby in several chairs and in a large basket in the corner.  A price of $25 is clearly labeled on each cushion.  Perhaps this is a source of additional revenue.  After waiting for about 15 minutes, the receptionist gives me a cup and points me toward a small rest room with the request that I provide a urine sample.  I suppose this is to exclude a urinary tract infection as the cause of my back pain.  I am quite sure that I don’t have a urinary tract infection.  I contemplate professing that I am an infectious disease doctor and based on my lack of urinary frequency, burning, or other systemic signs, I clearly don’t have an infection.  In the end, I decide it is best to just go along.  After proudly providing an assistant with a frothy cup of warm urine, I am led to a seat in a small check-in room.  While I spend the next 5 minutes waiting, I start to read the flyers on the walls.  I am struck by a flyer that says, “Do Not Get a Flu Shot!”  It then gives a litany of reasons that flu shots should be avoided while citing various medical journals and specialists to support these claims.  A few of the justifications include: “It does not prevent pneumonia in older persons (Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine); 5 consecutive flu shots increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s 10X.;  Studies suggest low vitamin D levels may actually be responsible for flu symptoms rather than the influenza virus!”  Needless to say, I am flabbergasted.  Two visits to alternative practioners and two attacks on vaccination! Later, I did some research on the claim about Alzheimer’s risk and found out that the doctor who made this claim had been stripped of his medical license by the South Carolina Medical Board for quackery.

            I am interrupted by the chiropractor’s assistant.  She reviews my history form and confirms my complaints.  I am then led into the examining/adjustment room. The assistant instructs me to get undressed and says she has some shorts for me to wear if I desire.  I say, “No, I am comfortable in my underwear.”  After an awkward silence, she says, “Okay, why don’t you just leave your pants on and strip off your shirt.”  Apparently, standing in my underwear is not appropriate.  She steps out and I am forced to contemplate my choice of dress or undress while I wait for the doctor to come in.

[Next week, Cracking my back.]

Visit to the Naturopath: my conclusions.

     How am I doing?  Are the diet and supplements doing their job?  If you remember, I went to the naturopath with concerns about insomnia, frequent headaches, and various musculoskeletal complaints. Two weeks after starting the new regimen, I began a busy rotation in the hospital!  As if on schedule, my insomnia struck.  I faithfully took the prescribed remedies, but my inability to sleep was worse than ever.  No sleep, combined with no coffee in the morning, is a brutal combination. I managed to survive a busy first day without too much problem. On night number two, I went to bed tired but nervous.  I wondered, “What if I can’t sleep again?”  As I lay down in bed, my heart started to race. I knew this was a bad sign. I strove to stay “natural”. I wanted to give the naturopathy a chance. I checked the clock every 15 minutes and right around midnight, I realized that I was no closer to sleep, but much closer to another sleep-deprived night. Just the thought of another sleepless night followed by a busy day at work made my heart beat faster.  Finally, I broke down and took an ambien (a sleeping pill). This bought me 3 ½ hours of sleep.  Not enough for someone who needs 8 hours a night, but enough to allow me to survive day #2 at work.  I repeated this pattern the following two nights, attempting natural sleep followed by a brief ambien-induced coma.  I was a train wreck.  I was forced to drink coffee in the morning just to survive.

On the fifth night, I decided it was time to try something different.  I forced myself to go for a run before dinner (more of a stumble in my sleep-deprived state); I stayed up 1 hour later than usual; I read my book; and, I convinced my wife to “have relations” with me (code words for sex).  I managed to sleep about 5 hours without the help of ambien!  Finally, the cycle seems to be breaking.

On the sixth night, I played basketball in the evening.  I was so tired, I found myself fouling people uncontrollably.  No one was mistaking me for Michael Jordan.  That night, I repeated my new routine of  staying up late, reading (it was getting hard to focus), and “having relations” with Beth.  She really is very tolerant of me.  My routine was rewarded with 9 hours of blissful sleep. The following nights, I slept well even without my wife’s assistance (I can only push her so far).  I had finally shed the yoke of insomnia!  It did not appear that my Lycopodium, Nux Vomica, or Calcarea Carbonica, all of which claim to treat insomnia, helped in any way. Maybe not enough time had passed.  Maybe I am not a true believer.

            What about my other complaints?  I must admit I have had a pretty good stretch regarding my headaches.  During my week of insomnia, I had some minor headaches, but I never had to resort to taking my prescribed Maxalt.  Since I began sleeping again, I have had no major headaches.  My head might still get a little achy, but nothing disabling.  Could this be a sign that the Tuberculinum, Nux Vomica, and the Calcarea Carbonica are doing their intended job?  Who knows?  I suspect cutting back my coffee intake and the near elimination of alcohol are largely the reason, but who knows.  Maybe it is my more relaxed outlook, thanks to the Linden Flower extract.  

            My back, hip, and foot pains are unchanged.  I suppose had I more rigorously adhered to the exercise and stretching program this might not be the case, but the anti-inflammatory diet clearly hasn’t done the trick.  Nor have the multiple anti-inflammatory and “adrenal adaptogen” substances that I have been taking.  I have continued with my regular exercise routine which includes biking to work (9 miles each way) 1-2 times/week, basketball 1-2 times/week, maybe a trip or two to the gym for some weight lifting and stretching, and then chasing my kids around. After any of these activities, lifting and stretching aside, I feel pretty inflamed the next day!

            In conclusion, I grade my Naturopathic experience a 5 on a 1 to 10 scale, with 10 being the best score possible.  I am very impressed with the amount of time that the naturopathic doctor spent with me.  This amount of time would be unheard of in a traditional medical practice.  I think that the lifestyle modifications, both dietary and exercise, prescribed by the naturopath are fairly common sense and similar to that which a standard nutritionist and physical therapist might recommend.  Some aspects of the “anti-inflammatory” diet are obvious, such as eating natural foods, more fruits and vegetables and avoiding processed foods and saturated fats.  Again, these are not groundbreaking principles.  I am less sure about the restrictions on coffee and alcohol.  The unique components of the naturopathic experience are the supplements and the homeopathic remedies.  I can see the allure of these relatively inexpensive remedies. You can look up your symptoms in a reference book and then find any number of “natural” supplements and homeopathic remedies.  This ability to determine your own treatment plan, with the naturopath’s assistance, is very empowering.  Unfortunately, beyond these admirable qualities, these remedies largely fall flat.  If I am going to spend $150- 200 a month on remedies, I would like to see some proof that they work, not just writing in a century old book!  I would like to think that medical science has advanced the practice of medicine even just a little bit since Boericke wrote his homeopathic treatise, Materia Medica, in 1929!  Just because it is written in a book does not make it true.  Despite the many fallibilities of modern medicine, I believe there is a role for proof of principle.  I will admit that my 6 weeks experimentation with Naturopathic medicine was just that - “experimentation” - but I certainly have my doubts which have been magnified the more I have learned.  I liked the holistic approach to medicine, but I think my money would be better spent seeing a nutritionist and a physical therapist (and my insurance might even help).

Visit to the Naturopath: Homeopathy.

Now we come to a class of remedies which in my mind are truly “alternative”. Homeopathy has always intrigued and perplexed me. First, there is the “law of similars” whereby a remedy is selected to provoke the very symptoms one is trying to treat.  This sounds a little bit like desensitizing someone to an allergy.  One might imagine its working in a manner similar to a vaccine which primes the immune system to develop a response to similar stimuli.  Thus, it assists your natural immunity in responding to an inciting agent and decreases subsequent “inflammation”.  So far so good…. 

Now the second premise of homeopathy is that increasingly dilute doses are increasingly potent. This is hard for me to stomach, and it throws a big wrench into my immune stimulation hypothesis.  Despite my skepticism, I understand that in Europe homeopathy is far more recognized as a mainstream medical therapy than within the United States. With these previously mentioned underlying premises in mind, here are the homeopathic remedies I have been prescribed, and a bit of my research regarding their intended uses:

1)     Lycopdium- It is derived from an evergreen plant in Europe and North America. It has been used since the Middle Ages for a broad spectrum of ailments ranging from gout to digestive disorders. It can be used for chronic insecurity, fear of an upcoming event, sleeplessness, nightmares, headaches, and more. (I don’t appreciate any overwhelming insecurities, but I definitely fear my upcoming bouts of insomnia and headaches!)

2)     Tuberculinum- I found an incredibly long list of indications for this one. This medicine is intended for those with a family history of tuberculosis, for those prone to colds, allergies or other respiratory disorders. To me, this is the oddest of the prescribed medications especially since I oversee the county tuberculosis program. I'm having a hard time determining why this one was prescribed. The Internet provides an extremely long list of potential afflictions or traits that are benefited by taking this medication including the treatment of “incipient tuberculosis”. As I peruse this long list of potential maladies cured by tuberculinum, the only one I see that pertains to me is “deep brain headaches”.

3)     Nux Vomica - Now this one even sounds disgusting! According to Boericke’s Materia Medica (originally published in 1927) but still used today, "Nux is preeminently the remedy for many of the conditions incident to modern life. The typical Nux Vomica patient is rather thin, spare, quick, active, nervous, and irritable. He does a good deal of mental work; has mental strains and leads a sedentary life, found in prolonged office work, over study, and close application to business, with its cares and anxieties." There are then about 20 pages of symptoms for which it might be useful including lumbar back pain, insomnia, and headaches. Of all the medications so far, this is the one for me!

4)     Calcarea Carbonica - According to Boericke, its "chief action is centered on the vegetative sphere, impaired nutrition being the keynote of its action, the glands, skin and bone, being instrumental in the changes wrought. Again, it is good for incipient phthsis” (an archaic name for tuberculosis)! As I read over these remedies and the cookbook-like fashion in which they can be prescribed, I can't get over the feeling that this is similar to how medicine was practiced many, many years ago, during a time when people generally died at the age of 40! Among the 19 pages of symptoms that might be cured with Calcarea Carbonica, I find insomnia, back pain, and headaches.  I'm feeling better already!

As I read over the descriptions of the many possible uses of these homeopathic remedies, I hearken back to the time when medicine was practiced much differently. For direct comparison I decide to pull out a few of my ancient medical texts. One such text, The Principles and Practice of Medicine, by William Osler MD, published in 1899, preaches that the best way to treat tuberculosis is to “make a patient grow fat” and place them in the open air.  Diabetes can be treated with “opium”, or alternatively with “valerian root”. It seems that traditional medicine has come a long way, but homeopathy remains unchanged.

[Next week…The results of my Naturopathic adventure.]

Visit to the Naturopath: Prescribed Remedies.

            As part of my therapeutic regimen, my naturopath prescribed 7 supplements and 4 homeopathic remedies.  I must admit that these last 4 pique my interest the most.  The goal of the medications, to the best of my understanding, is to decrease the inflammation in my body and regulate my adrenal glands, and in doing so, cure me of headaches and insomnia.  Although I am inherently skeptical, I am eager to give them a try.  After I get home, I lay out all the pills for my wife to admire.  As I calculate the total number of remedies (10 pills, 10 drops, 2 scoops, 7 pellets, and 2 teaspoons) that I am supposed to take each day, I am overwhelmed.  I wonder if there will be any room left in my stomach for food!  Here is a run down of the prescriptions and my understanding of their purposes:

1)     Aller-C- A dietary supplement of quercetin, vitamin C, and bioflavinoids. According to the manufacturer, it is a “potent combination formula used to moderate the inflammatory response.  Quercetin promotes decreased production of histamine and the 60 citrus bioflavinoid complex supports the strength of capillaries.” Interestingly, I have never heard of quercetin before, but when I google it, I am able to find circumstantial evidence for the manufacturer’s claims and I am strangely reassured.

2)     B-complex vitamin- Not much to say hear.  Even in the small village of Pramkese, Ghana, the villagers felt B-complex vitamins were imbued with magical healing powers.

3)     Omega- 3 Fish Oil capsules- Again, hard to argue with this one.  Even Wikipedia states that they “are known to reduce inflammation throughout the body.”

4)     Vitamin C, Calcium citrate, and Magnesium citrate powder- Even after I read the product insert, I am not sure why I will be taking this one.  It appears to primarily be for bone health.  It comes in a powder which when mixed with water fizzes and tastes like alka-seltzer.

5)     Seriphos (phosphorylated serine)- The bottle states it is an “adaptogen and adrenal support” agent.  These are foreign terms to me.  The manufacturer’s website expands on the benefits of phosphorylated serine.  It is purported to enhance memory and to impact circadian cortisol rhythms.  The website excerpts a few random and very small studies as evidence for these claims.  Mainly it is selectively quoting the researchers who did the studies as justification for their claims.  Not very hard scientific evidence, but intriguing!

6)     Linden Flower extract- All I can find about this one is that it “promotes relaxation”.  Sounds good to me.  Apparently this will have to replace my evening beer that was cut out in the “anti-inflammatory” diet!

7)     Fruit anthocyanins- A pure concentrated syrup of grapes, blueberries, pomegranate, aroniaberry, elderberry, and raspberry.  What are aroniaberries?!? The website associates anthocyanins with many possible benefits including anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, and basically anti-everything bad properties!

These supplements cost a cool $150 for one month’s supply.  I realize I have now indistinguishable from several of my patients, and even some of my wife’s neurotic friends, who are frantically popping pills, going on periodic fasts, and getting “high colonics” in hopes of achieving natural health!  Well, there is no turning back now.

[Next week… The Homeopathic remedies]