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Welcome
 Welcome to the third edition of our newsletter. We aim to give you health updates, bits of science and recent findings in the health field, news from our clinics, and offers - so please read on. |
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Acupuncture and infertility
Why acupuncture works for infertility problems is still debatable. However, most practicing acupuncturists say that acupuncture helps by regulating your body's system. This aids in blood flow to the reproductive organs and stabilizes hormone levels. This in turn will increase ovarian function in women as well as sperm production in men.
Used as a complementary form of therapy for women undergoing other fertility treatments, acupuncture has been proven to be especially beneficial. Some believe that acupuncture works by helping women stay more relaxed through stressful fertility treatments. In particular, studies have shown that acupuncture definitely increases the rate of pregnancy in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
A German study done in 2002 showed that of the 80 women who underwent IVF and received acupuncture, 34 women got pregnant, a success rate of 42.5%. Of the 80 women involved in the study who received IVF without any acupuncture treatments, only 21 women (26.3%) became pregnant. More recently, an American study involving 114 women showed that 51% of the women who had acupuncture and IVF treatments became pregnant versus only 36% of the women who had IVF alone. Deeper analysis of this study revealed that, while 8% of the women in the acupuncture group miscarried, the rate of miscarriage in the IVF-only group was 20%. Furthermore, women who received acupuncture also had lower rates of ectopic pregnancies. |
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Spinal manipulation can cause injury
Some of our patients have voiced concerns after reading in the press about manipulation being dangerous. Well, the study which the newspapers quoted was a review paper published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine which concluded that spinal manipulation as used mostly by Chiropractors should not routinely be used on patients.
If used on the upper (cervical) spine, it can result in serious injury including stroke and even fatality. Professor Edzard Ernst, of the department of complementary medicine at the university of Exeter who led the review said "spinal manipulation has been associated with about 600 serious adverse events. If any drug were linked to such rates of harm, I somehow doubt that it would still be on the market." Physiotherapists at Norris Associates are trained at University to use far gentler techniques suitable for their primary role as NHS practitioners. These techniques consist of subtle joint mobilization rather than manipulation. Mobilisations gently encourage the joint to move, while manipulation is a rapid forceful action often 'clicking' and 'cracking' the joint. It should be noted as well, that these gentle techniques are often also used by many Chiropractors and Osteopaths so the article should be taken as a warning against severe manipulation and not as a reason to single out any one profession! |
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Caveman vs. Mediterranean diets
 Swedish research from Lund University has shown that a stone age (paleolithic) diet is more effective than a Mediterranean diet in slowing changes in blood sugar levels - an important feature for diabetics.
The Stone age diet is much lower in grain and dairy products, because it was used before agriculture became available. When humans were hunter-gatherers, we ate lean meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, root vegetables and nuts. For the study, one group of patients followed the stone age diet and another group the Mediterranean diet consisting of whole-grain cereals, low-fat dairy products, fruit, vegetables and unsaturated fats. After 12 weeks, blood sugar rises had fallen by 26 per cent in the Stone Age diet group, but only 7 per cent in the group taking the Mediterranean diet. |
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Behaviour problems linked to additives in children's food
 A report in the Guardian newspaper has highlighted work by food safety experts at Southampton University which tested the effect of food additives used in sweets, drinks and processed foods on children's behaviour. The scientists involved in the study confirmed that their findings linked the additives to behavioural problems in 3-8 year olds, such as temper tantrums, poor concentration and hyperactivity, and allergic reactions.
The additives tested were: tartrazine (E102), ponceau 4R (E124), sunset yellow (E110), carmoisine (E122), quinoline yellow (E104) and allura red AC (E129), and sodium benzoate (E211). Some of these are already banned in Scandinavian countries and the US. Vyvyan Howard, an expert on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) additives and behaviour working group, is quoted as saying "These compounds have no nutritional value and I personally do not feed these sorts of foods to my 15-month-old daughter." For the full article on this subject visit environment.guardian.co.uk |
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Birth defects much more common in overweight mothers
Obese women who become pregnant are much more likely to have babies with birth defects, and study from the University of Texas has shown. Looking at over 10,000 women, the study reported in the August edition of Archives of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, showed that obese women were more likely to have babies suffering from spina bifida, heart defects, and body malformations. The authors suggested that the changes may be connected to poor control of blood sugar levels. |
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New Chiropody team at Norris Associates
The Chiropody and Podiatry service at Norris Associates on Eastway, Sale has recently been expanded and improved. More evening sessions are now available alongside the already popular daytime and Saturday morning sessions. New Chiropody staff include Sue Lee, Dave Munro, and Kay Nattrass, who together make up the Norris Associates Sale branch Chiropody team. They have a wealth of experience and an impressive number of qualifications. All are degree trained university graduates and have extensive hospital experience. They are members of the Health Professions Council (HPC) the government run health regulator, and the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (MChS). They are available to treat a number of foot conditions including corns & calluses, varrucae, in-growing toenails and nail infections. Remember the old adage 'when your feet hurt, you hurt all over'!!
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Norris Associates
We can be found in Congleton or Sale:
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