Flexibility of the muscles of your body is one of the largest issues I have to contend with as I am getting a patient through a treatment program. For senior citizens this is very evident especially with the muscles of the front of the thigh.

This group of muscles is called the Quadriceps (Quads for short). One of the many things that I have noticed over the years is that when senior citizens come into my office for care the primary muscle that I have problems improving the flexibility of is the Quadriceps group of muscles. When these muscles tighten it becomes very difficult to improve the lower back.

With many of you I will have you face down on the table and then pull your thigh up off of the table to stretch this muscle. It can be very painful but by doing this stretch it will become much easier to adjust the back plus the adjustment will last longer. If I have not given you any stretches for your thigh please see me and ask for some stretches!

A few weeks ago I was doing an adjustment on Elizabeth K. While treating her she had mentioned to me that she had a ‘Crink’ in her neck.

I immediately said, “What? Did you say ‘Crink’”? She said ‘yes’ I then said I think it is a new word.

So, fast forward to July 10, 2009 at which time I was thinking of the word ‘Crink’ again and another patient, Joyce P. said “It feels like the ‘Crink’ in my neck was gone.” I immediately said “What? Did you say ‘crink’?” I knew at that point I had to introduce this word into the English language.

So here it is: Crink is derived from two words, crick and kink. A crick is defined as a painful cramp or muscle spasm, as in the neck or back. A kink is defined as a tight twirl, twist or bend, as well as a painful muscle spasm, as in the neck. These definitions are from The American Heritage College Dictionary, Third Edition. So add this word to your vocabulary and if you or somebody that you know has a ‘Crink’ in the neck give me a call!

Thimerosal was approved by the FDA over 60 years ago, to be used as a preservative. The danger associated with thimerosal is that it contains 49.5% ethyl mercury by weight; mercury has long been the source of many health problems.

Mercury is especially toxic to the developing fetus and infant brain. It is poisonous at any level of exposure.

According to the FDA, "Infants who receive thimerosal-containing vaccines at several visits may be exposed to mercury in amounts higher than recommended by Federal guidelines for total lifetime exposure."

If an infant follows the Center of Disease Control and Prevention Vaccine Schedule, they would be exposed to 187.5 mcg of ethyl mercury, depending on the manufacturer. The total amount through 18 months could reach 237.5 mcg.

If an average infant (5 kg) received all thimerosal-containing vaccines at his 2 months visit, the exposure just for that day would be 62.5 mcg - an exposure 125 above the EPA's (Environmental Protection Agency) guidelines. The dose the EPA allows is .1 mcg, per kilogram, per day.

Source: Vitamin Research News, May 2001, Vol. 15, No. 5, pp. 1, 10-12

Headache statistics in our country are astronomical. According to the American Headache Society:

• Every 10 seconds, someone in the United States goes to the emergency room with a headache or migraine.
• More than $1 billion is spent on over-the-counter medications to treat headaches and migraines.
• The lost work due to migraine headaches costs more than $13 billion every year in the U.S.

You may wonder why a solution to the problems associated with migraines and the common headache has not been found when technology exists that puts humans on the moon and cameras on Mars.

Throughout history hundreds of theories and ideas have been proposed to explain the causes of migraines. Treatments included everything from the somewhat reasonable to downright ludicrous in an attempt to alleviate the pain. For example, in the Medieval Ages migraines were recognized as a discrete medical disorder with treatment ranging from hot irons to blood letting and even witchcraft. Thankfully we don't have to go to such extremes today!

New medications are constantly introduced claiming to prevent and cure the pain and frequency of headaches, but statistics continue to show that they are not working.

Could it be possible that the solution lies not in the hands of giant pharmaceutical companies, but someplace you can actually visit, and perhaps in a building that isn't too far from you? Could the solution be so simple that it can be found at Dr. Dustan Mattingly's Chiropractic Office?

Poor posture and spinal injuries are major causes of headaches, and by simply taking the pressure off of irritated nerves and/or relaxing the muscles attached to the skull, the intensity and recurrence rate of headaches and migraines can drastically be improved.

That may sound rather far fetched to some people (especially if they are among the millions who have tried every pill available and found no relief) but after a session or two with Dr. Mattingly they are often amazed at the results they get. We regularly treat patients who suffer from headaches and migraines and have had a lot of success in relieving their pain.

"I came to see Dr. Mattingly for migraines that I had suffered from all my life. With the doctor’s help I was able to pinpoint what the source of my headaches was, and prevent them from being so bad. I have been migraine-free for at least six months. I highly recommend chiropractic care and Dr. Mattingly to everyone." - P.C.

So if you suffer from migraines or headaches make an appointment today by calling 314-963-9050 and see what the miracle of chiropractic can do for you!

Many of us will be traveling during the holiday season. Here are some tips to help keep you comfortable during your travels.

Car Travel

• Make sure your car seat is adjusted so that you are sitting comfortably and firmly against the back of the seat.
• Try to be in a position where you don't need to lean forward or stretch to reach something.
• Adjust the seat so you are as close to the steering wheel as comfortably possible. Your knees should be slightly higher than your hips.
• Adjust the headrest so it supports the center of the back of your head.
• To test that your seat is adjusted correctly place four fingers behind the back of your thigh, closest to your knee. If you cannot easily slide your fingers under your thigh then you need to re-adjust your seat.
• Use foam back supports or pillows that are designed for driving to help minimize strain on your lower back. The widest part of the support should be between the bottom of your rib cage and your waistline.
• Take frequent rest breaks on long trips. Get out of the car, walk around and do some back pain relief stretches for about 10 -15 minutes. If you are stopping at a service station do not sit in the café but move and walk around first.
• Do not keep your mobile phone or wallet in your back pocket. If you do it can create an abnormal sitting position, tilting one hip higher, which may cause you to have problems.
• Exercise your legs while driving by doing these simple exercises:
  1. Stretch your toes apart as wide as you can and count to ten.
  2. Tighten your calf muscles and count to five.
  3. Tighten your thigh muscles and count to five.
  4. Tighten your gluteal muscles and count to five.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water during the journey.

Air Travel

• Use suitcases with wheels and a sturdy handle. Carrying heavy suitcases will strain your shoulders, back, hips, and knees. Do not overload the suitcase.
• Before boarding the plane, try to do a quick warm-up by taking a brisk walk or doing some simple stretching exercises.
• Check all bags that are heavier than 10% of your body weight.
• Lifting a bag above your head could cause muscle strain or sprain so try to not overload the carry-on baggage that you are going to store in the overhead compartment. When lifting your baggage to place in the overhead compartment stand directly in front of the compartment so the spine is not rotated. Don't lift your bags over your head or turn or twist your head and neck in the process. Ask the flight attendant for assistance.
• Vary your position occasionally while seated on the plane, this helps to improve your circulation and avoid leg cramps. Occasionally exercise your legs and hips by bringing your legs in and moving your knees up and down. Try propping your legs up with a book or a bag so your knees are slightly higher than your hips.
• Avoid sitting directly under the air vents above you. The draft can increase tension in your neck and shoulder muscles.
• Avoid bending over and crouching when stowing something under the seat in front of you. Try to use your feet to gently guide the object instead.
• Use rolled up blankets or pillows that are designed for traveling to help maintain your spine's natural curve. Tuck the support behind your back, between the bottom of your rib cage and your waistline. Put another pillow across the gap between your neck and the headrest.
• Take a brisk walk to stretch your hamstring and calf muscles when you have reached your destination.

The term "mad as a hatter" will forever be linked to Lewis Carroll's classic children's book, Alice in Wonderland. But few actually know that the true origin of the saying relates to a disease peculiar to the hat making industry in the 1800s.

A mercury solution was commonly used during the process of turning fur into felt, which caused the hatters to breathe in the fumes of this highly toxic metal. This led in turn to an accumulation of mercury in the workers' bodies, resulting in symptoms such as trembling (known as "hatters' shakes"), loss of coordination, slurred speech, loosening of teeth, memory loss, depression, irritability and anxiety — "The Mad Hatter Syndrome." The phrase is still used today to describe the effects of mercury poisoning.

Mercury is the most toxic non-radioactive element on earth and guess what– Mercury is added to our Flu Vaccines as a preservative! So if you are considering Flu vaccines for yourself and your family, consider this:

1. The federal government is encouraging you to get a vaccination in spite of mountains of evidence of Mercury’s toxicity.
2. The Environmental Protection Agency has stated that a person must weigh over 500 pounds to process the amount of mercury in vaccines.
3. Physician’s groups and the government have vowed to remove mercury from vaccines over 7 years ago but have yet to do it.
4. Mercury is the most brain toxic substance known to man. And one in six children currently suffers from some form of learning disability.

Whether you and your family are vaccinated or not is a personal decision. At the very least insist on Mercury free vaccines. They are available. More optimally, talk to Dr. Mattingly about building up your immune system!!

Sources of information:

• Health Alert, 100 Wilson Road, #110, Monterey, CA 93940.
• www.newstarget.com–The Mad Hatter Syndrome: mercury and biological toxicity.