The good news is that Cody’s unplanned trip to Woodstock took only 48 hours, and fortunately he was shipped UPS ground delivery and not by air. And, since the 10-pound cat was accessorized with a collar bearing his name and a phone number, he returned promptly to his owner, Marie Webster. “He’s a little skinny, but we’ll fatten him up again in no time.”

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I was filled with amazement as I read that scientists from Texas and around the world  created a material that, by density, is lighter than air yet, when it’s electrified, it instantly and powerfully contracts. In other words, the lightest material on our planet is capable of providing quite a powerful punch! Wow, a material that is both strong and flexible and can contract like a muscle.

“These artificial muscles are very lightweight and can do wonderful things,” said Ray Baughman, the study author from the University of Texas at Dallas.  And, while these artificial muscle is unlikely to be used in humans or prosthetic limbs (yet), Baughman says “these sheets of carbon nanotubes … are of great practical interest for LEDs, solar cells, and other applications.” The scientists’ work was detailed in the journal Science.

Aerogels (so called because 99.8 percent of the material is air) and artificial muscles have apparently been around for decades, but only recently astronomers have launched spacecraft containing aerogelsto that gently capture space dust and keep it safe for the return journey to Earth.  Meanwhile, material scientists have created a variety of different artificial muscles, or materials that expand and contract when an electrical charge is applied.

Science, once again, has expanded beyond the whimsy of science-fiction to create a substance that has real unlimited potential.

The article is wonderfully informative and well-worth a trip to http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/03/19/aerogel-nanotube-muscle.html to read it in its entirety.  And, while you’re on the Discovery website, browse around, but make sure you’re not scheduled to be anywhere, anytime soon. I know, from experience, that it’s easy to get lost in the wonderful of science.

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Like me, you may be wondering whether or not our human search for longevity has suddenly been displaced by a mission to find immortality. No doubt, you’ve been reading a lot lately about the miraculous heart benefits of red wine (resveratrol), the extraordinary memory retention benefits of coffee (caffeine), and the countless benefits of a multitude of exotic supplements that, in one way or another, “guarantee” to reduce or prevent every known cause of mortality.

To start with, let me make it unquestionably clear that I solidly believe that certain~particular things that we ingest can be beneficial to our health. So, I’m definitely not opposed to taking supplements. Not only do I recommend them to my patients, but take them myself. Secondly, if confession is good for the soul, and red wine is good for the heart, then I’d like to take this opportunity to help both by stating for the record that I appreciate drinking a glass of red wine. The notion that it might have heart-healthy properties, well, that’s like icing on the cake, so to speak. And, lastly, as far as caffeine’s ability to genuinely reverse or prevent Alzheimer’s disease goes, I believe that if that were commonly true, life would be far less frightening and far more enjoyable for many people and their families.

However, before taking ill-considered action, and indiscriminately adding more coffee to your morning grind, an extra glass of red wine to your evening meal, or an extra outlay of your hard-earned cash on exotic herbs that promise to make you live forever, let’s rationally think about a couple of things.

For instance, let us think about the fact that we, humans, are dynamic, biological beings, free to uniquely interact with life. We have not been detained in a cage, and none of us has been “propagated” to artificially develop the age-related debilitation and disease that lab animals are bred to do, conditions that are then “reversed” by resveratrol, caffeine, or some exotic herb.

Fundamentally, we are far more than the sum total of our parts. We are dynamic and biological, not “mechanical, conscienceless devices.” We are biologically individual, i.e., we react in a unique variety of ways to internal irritation factors and external environmental influences. Case in point, though smoking cigarettes is commonly unhealthy, there are a few people who are able to smoke, so it seems, and live to a ripe old age without any apparently-related problems.

Scientific studies isolate certain variables in order to achieve particular outcomes. That’s scientific inquiry! But, because the results occur through such isolation, and due to the fact that they are generally done on animals, when it comes to translating such results to humans, it can be said that what may work for some of the people all of the time, won’t work for all of the people all of the time, and sometimes won’t work at all (to paraphrase Abraham Lincoln!).

Each day you make deliberate decisions about what you’ll eat and how much activity and rest you’ll get. Even though you know what “feels” nutritious for your individual system by the way your body responds, not all the choices you make may be beneficial for your health and longevity. In fact, perhaps few of the choices you’ve been making lately are actually healthy ones.

Then you, like many others, may enthusiastically jump on the bandwagon of the latest report that announces that researchers have uncovered THE VERY THING that has the potency to reverse all of the excessive and unhealthy things you have been doing to your body on a routine basis! Talk about wishful thinking!

The human body is an exquisitely involved, homeostatic system. That is to say, every function is interdependent and sensitively balanced. This meticulous system becomes “off balance” when you consistently make unhealthy choices. Over time, the imbalances produce diseases and speed up the aging process.

If supplements help you to feel more energetic and healthy, then as a chiropractor who takes them as well, I say great, take them! If it feels like the thing to do, drink that additional cup of coffee as well. And, have a little more red wine if it honestly feels beneficial. But, keep in mind that the only legitimate way for anyone to avert or reverse age-related health problems is by choosing a consistently healthy lifestyle. You won’t get healthier by chance. There is no “lucky charm” when it comes to health and longevity.

Jamie Phillips, DC, a Ventura Chiropractor, has been in private chiropractic practice for 24 years. She is also a consultant for Bloczone Marketing, a chiropractic marketing company specializing in chiropractic websites that attract new patients. She can be reached at (805) 985-9502

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Nearly all of injuries can be put into two classifications: 1) traumatic injury, such as a slip, fall, or collision and, 2) repetitive stress or overuse injury.

Traumatic Injuries

As the name implies, this type of injury produces the sort of incapacitation and debilitation most commonly associated with trauma. As a rule injuries to the ligaments (the tissue that connects bone to bone) and to muscles are the most commonplace, although the trauma of fractures and dislocations frequently occurs in contact sports. Damage to a ligament is called a sprain, while damage to a muscle or its tendon is a strain. The most common parts of the body for these sorts of injuries are the ankles, knees, and shoulders, nevertheless other areas can be affected including the low back and neck. Injuries to the neck and low back can be quite serious as the spinal cord or spinal nerves can also be affected.

Traumatic injuries can range from a mild “muscle pull” or ankle twist to a serious problem necessitating surgery. It all depends upon the severity of tearing of the tissues, the location, and the age of the person. Some amount of swelling happens with almost all sprains and strains. But, with certain injuries, especially those of the ankle and knee, there can be some internal bleeding as well. With all strains and sprains appropriate management is vital, especially during the initial stages of the injury to assure proper healing and avoid future disability. Attention from a competent health-care professional, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, is highly recommended.

Listed below is an acronym for the post-injury management of sprains and strains expressly if no professional aid is available: PRICE
P    Protect injury from additional damage
R    Rest the injured area
I     Ice injury to reduce swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C    Compress injury with a specifically designed or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E    Elevate the injury, especially when dealing with ankles and knees

As formerly mentioned, knowledgeable evaluation and management are vital to a thorough recovery. A chiropractor can find out the extent of your injury and begin needed recovery treatment. Nearly all of these injuries can recover, but they do require proper care during the various stages of healing. If not treated attentively, some sprains and strains can result in long-lasting problems such as joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. Experienced management of your sports injury by a chiropractor with years of experience in sports injury care will insure that your injury recovers properly. Call your Santa Barbara Chiropractor if you have sustained a traumatic injury.

Repetitive Stress, or Overuse, Injuries

These injuries are becoming more and more common, expressly among people pursuing sports such as golf, tennis, bowling, and any other activity that requires the same movement over and over (repetitively). Something as simple and healthy as running, particularly on a treadmill, can also be a factor.

Repetitious activity can generally produce a very slight strain to tissues, especially tendons and muscles. Nevertheless, it is the accumulative effects of the repetition that produces the more serious problem.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most frequent kinds of overuse injuries. Over time the muscle or other affected tissue establishes changes that no longer permit it to function normally, resulting in pain, stiffness and disability. There are two categories of factors that predispose a person to these types of problems:  1) Intrinsic, i.e., found within a person’s own body, and 2) Extrinsic, i.e., external factors that can frequently be changed or controlled by the individual.

Some of the most prevalent intrinsic factors for injury

Age is the mostgeneral intrinsic factor for injury. The older a person is, the easier it is for that man or woman to get injured. Congenital abnormalities are another factor. There are those who are born with joint or muscle problems. And, lastly, previous injuries are a factor as they generally prohibit the joints or muscles from functioning correctly.

Extrinsic factors for injury

Extrinsic factors are plentiful.  A wrong grip size of a tennis racket, worn-out running shoes, an uneven treadmill surface, or a too-hard surface for soccer are all examples of deficient sports equipment that can produce problems. Inept technique in any sport, such as an incorrect golf grip is, as they say, an injury waiting to happen Another factor is poor conditioning. A number of people are injured because they aren’t in shape. Added frequency or extended duration of an activity, without developing slowly, can produce the conditions for injury. Lack of flexibility can cause injury if a person is too stiff to do an activity safely. Lack of warm-up, like stretching and appropriate preparation, is a prevalent factor in injuries.  And, lastly, but perhaps surprising to some, stress is a factor. Muscles that are tense and inflexible due to stress are too tight and, as such, unprepared for most sports activities.

There are a number of factors that are extrinsic and, hence, within a person’s control. Before embarking on a new sport, or as a way to avoid injury in a current sport, it’s a good idea to get an evaluation of your current body condition. If you’ve been injured, it is extremely to seek out a experienced professional, like a chiropractor, to determine the nature of the injury and design a plan of treatment. If left untreated, sports injuries can considerably affect a person’s life and limit a favorite activity. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is often required to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is and excellent source of help. Call a chiropractor if you’re either thinking of beginning a new activity, you’re feeling pain related to a current sports activity, or you’ve sustained a sports injury. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has years of experience helping people just like you.

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