Omega-3 Fatty acids are commonly taken to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. There are two primary types of Omega-3 acids, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA plays a large role in neurological development and increased levels of DHA have been linked to decreased progression of age related macular degeneration. Increased EPA is associated with moderately decreased high blood pressure, decreased triglyceride levels and increased HDL levels. One study showed that an increased consumption of EPA reduced the risk of major coronary events by 18% over a five year period. Studies also strongly suggest that an increased consumption of Omega-3 fatty acid decreases joint inflammation which can reduce pain often caused by arthritis.

As a dietary supplement, Omega-3 acid is ideal for patients whose joints are inflamed and are unable to maintain a healthy weight. An increased consumption of Omega-3 acids will allow these patients to improve their cardiovascular health and decrease the inflammation on weight bearing joints.

Omega-3 acids are considered dietary supplements by the EPA so they are safe for healthy individuals to include in their diet. Omega-3 acid has only a few minor gastric side effects for healthy individuals.

Large amounts of Omega-3 acids can be found in fish and some nuts. Flaxseed has an especially high amount of Omega-3 acids although there is some concern that flaxseed and it’s oil may not have as much of the desired benefits as fish oil.

Adapted from materials provided by Mayo Clinic.

Everywhere we look, people are talking about “greening”. It’s about saving our valuable resources. A couple of our most valuable resources not often spoken of are our time and money. How does this relate to musculo-skeletal pain and  reatment? Quite simply, the traditional model of 3 times a week for 3 or more weeks just won’t fit the “greening” model of the future. What will?

One of the most innovative approaches to rapid triage of musculo-skeletal pain is Primal Reflex Release Technique. PRRT offers a rapid assessment and treatment of the seldom, if ever, evaluated central and   ripheral influences of facilitated joint protective reflexes. PRRT fits the “greening” model as it’s possibly the only  approach whereby it must yield results in a session or two and if not, it should be discontinued and another approach  sought. In a world where patients have little time to be off work for a dozen sessions of therapy and even less money for their co-pay, PRRT offers a true “greening” by it’s ability to resolve many musculo-skeletal pain issues in just a couple sessions. What makes it even more appealing is it’s ability to seamlessly blend with whatever approach a practitioners currently uses.

Look for more approaches like PRRT to move to the forefront as we see more of the “greening” effect in the future of health care.

Maybe it’s just human nature but it seems whenever the discussion arises of a technique someone isn’t skilled in or doesn’t believe in, there’s a contentious response. Could this be a territorial protective response? Not sure.

What I do know is that it discourages sharing of ideas and techniques. The bottom line is everything works on someone yet not everyone. It’s a matter of matching the right approach to the patient and then being open to bring in other approaches if needed to achieve the end result.

The way I orient them is to reference a doctor using a reflex hammer to elicit a “knee jerk”.

Most people have had this and other deep tendon reflexes tapped at some point in the past.

I them tell them that I’m going to examine and treat them using the same “circuitry” doctors use with their reflex hammer.

The difference is I’ll be using reflexes for testing and treatment vs. the doctor who only uses them for testing.

I’ve yet to have a patient have a problem with my exam and treatment using PRRT™ once they relate my technique to something similiar their doctor uses.