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Show 12 Vernal Express Wednesday, September 1, 1999 ..jil i . ir r y Mi-!, i fk- r ; m "s " . " i i ' V ' " 1 .: : , - ' ' .. n i " t :v - - i. 7 f 5 iV-f y There is an array of herbs used for Herbal medicine moves into the new millennium Have you been using Echinacea recently; considered Saw Palmetto; picked up a bottle of Kava Kava or St. John's Wort to help with the stress or anxiety of a busy life? If so, you are not alone. Herbal medicine is enjoying an incredible renaissance that started in the 60s and early 70s and has picked up so much momentum that herbs have now gone mainstream. Herb users are no longer considered a part of a lunatic fringe, one doesn't does-n't hav e to be an aging hippie or New Age Gen X'er to use botanical medicines. Even Orrin Hatch, the conservative senator from Utah, has publicly discussed his daily use of the plant supplements. According to industry reports, herb manufacturers manufactur-ers have experienced double digit growth for each of the past eight years. By 1997, it was estimated that the number of Americans using herbal products had more than quadrupled in the past decade alone. The increase in herb sales has even caught the attention of major pharmaceutical manufacturers. manufactur-ers. Once the most outspoken critics crit-ics of herbal medicine, drug manufacturers manu-facturers like Bayer Pharmaceutical and Beecham Kline-Smith have now introduced their own lines of herb products, giving in to the enormous enor-mous consumer demand for these medicines that were once considered consid-ered nothing more than folk remedies. reme-dies. There are several reasons for the growth and renewed interest in herbs. 1. Dissatisfaction with pharmaceutical pharma-ceutical products - Americans have become disenchanted with miracle drugs. The discovery of substances like aspirin and antibiotics has certainly cer-tainly contributed to declines in death rates and increasing longevity, longevi-ty, but many drugs hav e had serious debilitating, and sometimes life-threatening, life-threatening, side effects. People frequently fre-quently take a w hole battery of secondary sec-ondary drugs to counter the side effects of one or two other pharmaceuticals pharma-ceuticals and consumers are not as willing to take handfuls of drugs as they once were. In addition, antibiotics antibi-otics have been so widely prescribed pre-scribed and ov erused that they have become ineffective for many bacterial bacte-rial infections, as the bacteria mutate or adapt to counter the effects of the drug. With drug costs soaring it has become one of the major contributors to the escalating cost of healthcare in America, and herbal medicine can be far more cost-effective. 2. Taking control of ones own health - For centuries, people have nursed themselves and relied on physicians for emergencies, or acute illnesses. In the 20th century people have become dependent on doctors and less capable of helping themselves. This trend is reversing and once again consumers are better bet-ter educated to medical information that was only available in medical schools. Various medias and the Internet provide more information on health and well-being than one could digest in a lifetime. These tools, however, give many consumers con-sumers the options they need to make informed healthcare choices and many have turned to herbal medicine as alternatives to more conventional medical treatment because it gives them control over ' JUT J medical purposes. their own health care. 3. Herbal medicines work - For most of this century, w e hav e been told through the media espousing FDA's stand, that herbal medicines are as effective as the snake oil sold by traveling medicine men in the early 1900s. (Snake oil was actually a liquid extract of Echinacea and w as sold for snake bites, one of the earliest uses for the plant, as recorded by early American settlers who were given the remedy by Native Americans. In fact, it worked quite well.) Now there is an enormous data base of clinical information that substantiates and supports the traditional, or folk, uses of herbs. When one reads about herbs now, it is usually because some credible research has established its effectiveness in a clinical setting. . Last fall, for example, an article in the New England Journal of Medicine cited a study that Saw Palmetto extract, in a double-blind, placebo controlled study, was more effective in treating the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (prostate inflammation) than the leading pharmaceutical product. Millions of users of Echinacea and volumes of clinical research will tell us that the herb helps fight the common cold. And the research on Ginkgo, Hawthorn, Kava Kava, Milk Thistle, St. John's Wort and Valerian is equally impressive. It is usually word-of-mouth information that inspires someone to try an herb product. Someone's past positive experience with an herbal supplement supple-ment can lead to 10 other people's decision to try a product. Information about herbal medicines can be learned from a variety of sources: health food stores, library, a data base called Medline and the Internet. Herbal medicine was, for centuries, cen-turies, the medicine of choice. It was only in this century that the popularity of herbs w aned with the advent of synthetic drugs. It is important to note that herb usage did not decrease because the herbs were ineffective, but rather because the drug manufacturers could not patent the botanical products. They then began to create (or synthesize) drugs for patent purposes. It was a money issue, not an efficacy issue. The tide has changed again, as evidenced evi-denced by the increased popularity of herbal medicines. As with any substance that is taken into the body, natural or synthetic, syn-thetic, consumers should exercise moderation when using herbal supplements. sup-plements. Most usage recommendations recommenda-tions on bottles are based on clinical clini-cal research and should not be exceeded. There are few contradictions contradic-tions or adverse reactions associated associat-ed with herbs and any known drug interactions are noted on the herb bottles. Used wisely and moderately, moderate-ly, herbal remedies can have a very positive impact on many different aspects of health and well-being. Don't be afraid to jump on the herbal bandwagon but do check with your physician as to whether or not herbs can be used with any medication being taken. Use herbs as directed and remember that herbs usually require a longer time to become effective than pharmaceuticals. Dr. Spendlove and nurse Robyn Jorgensen work on a dental patient. Care can create a bright smile by Dr. Brian Spendlove, DDS Bright white and straight teeth have always been one of the most striking features in one's appearance. appear-ance. An attractive smile has always been highly sought for from the dental profession. Today's den tist has more procedures and materials mate-rials and technology than ever before to help grant the public's demands for cosmetic dentistry. Porcelain veneers are one of the newer procedures which can dramatically dra-matically change and improve dark discolored teeth or ugly fillings in the front teeth. In addition, they are also used to restore the length of worn down teeth, close spaces between teeth and even to some I extent, correct the appearance of crooked teeth. One of the major benefits of Rub the myth away Continued from page 11 do nothing more than cover for the more seedy business of prostitution." prostitu-tion." Today massage therapists are highly trained and thoroughly educated. edu-cated. Their schooling takes about one year to complete and at the end of the course the therapist has knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology. They will be able to name the ten most important body systems and be able to explain the structure and functions of the various vari-ous body systems. The practice of professional ethics is a must for the therapist who wants to create a good, healthy atmosphere. As with all aspects of life, when one ceases to act respectable, one ceases to demand respect. As the old cliche goes, "One bad apple can spoil the whole bushel." As you can tell, there is a variety of techniques for the massage industry, however, the most popular of these is the Swedish Massage. A New York physician named Charles Faith Taylor introduced it into the United States in 1858. There are many beneficial massages for all walks of life. As a senior citizen, the mere touch of a loving, friendly hand can benefit immensely. Massaging the skin improves blood circulation and can help relieve dry, itchy skin. It also helps to cope with stress in our every day life. As a pregnant female, a massage can help relieve the pain frorm tight muscles. It can also help in between contractions to help calm the mother. Patients with fibromyalgia who suffer from severe pain in the arms, legs, neck and trunk can benefit greatly. The purpose is to massage certain points that will release endorphins, the natural painkiller that the body produces. It will bring blood to the surface of the skin and help stimulate oxygen to the muscles. mus-cles. Arthritis suffers can also experience expe-rience the benefits from a good massage. Once again it brings about blood circulation and helps to bring joint lubrications and flush chemicals away that cause inflammation inflam-mation to the joints. A good lower back massage can be rewarding if one suffers from menstrual cramps. A massage may be experienced either on a table or a massage chair and have the choice to keep underclothing under-clothing on or choose to remain fully dressed. A blanket is provided to protect modesty at all times when in the unclothed state. With all the different benefits that a good massage can give, it is something to check out. In the hustle, hus-tle, bustle world people need to take the time to pamper themselves just a little. Busy moms can take some time out of their schedules to go relax and have peace and quiet from ever demanding toddlers. The business executive may find if he or she skip that lunch and go have a massage, they may be able to handle han-dle the stressful day. porcelain veneers is that they are very conservative. Traditional crowns, for example, require significant signif-icant grinding away of the tooth structure. Porcelain veneers only require one half to one millimeter of reduction of the front surface of the tooth. They employ the science of dental porcelain and dental bonding technologies and produce changes in appearance that are truly amazing. A porcelain v eneer can be bonded to just a single tooth, however, the most dramatic improvements in appearance come w hen the front six to 10 teeth are veneered. The procedure proce-dure requires an initial appointment to prepare the teeth and make impressions for the porcelain laboratory. labo-ratory. Temporary plastic veneers are applied until the next visit when the final porcelain veneers are bonded. The procedure is quick, requires very little and sometimes no anesthesia and is significantly less expensive than porcelain crowns. If someone has discolored front teeth which cannot be bleached, or front teeth full of stained fillings, or perhaps unattractive spaces between two or more teeth; porcelain porce-lain veneers may be just what is needed for a bright, healthy and confident smile. t&etteinittooini os miecessairy by Dr. William Wright "At sporting events, no matter how good things look for one team late in the game, the saying is it's not over till it's over.' In orthodontics, orthodon-tics, although the patient may feel that treatment is complete when the braces are removed, an important stage lies ahead." William R. Proffit, Contemporary Orthodontics second edition. When I explain why retainers are necessary to patients, I like to compare com-pare the stability of their teeth immediately following orthodontic treatment to a fence post that has been set in wet cement. As it takes time for the cement to set to stabilize stabi-lize the fence post, it also takes time for the bone and tissues that support the teeth to regain their strength. During thiS "healing" time, it is critical that the position of the teeth are maintained Miracle Ear pioneer, providing local service for 5 years, to discuss latest advances in hearing aid technology. Workshops set for Sept. 8 & 9 in Uintah Basin y; 1 I Ill Published author, lecturer and a Board-Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist, Barry D. Finaly attended the University of Utah in Hearing Sciences. He has participated in the development and testing of key Miracle-Ear innovations. He is a member of the International Hearing Society and has served the hearing impaired for 15 years, with offices in the Uintah Basin for the past five years. Appointments are being taken for anyone who wishes to participate partici-pate in this two-day hearing aid workshop. Barry Finlay. BC-HIS, a Vernal Clinic (435) 789-0709 1-800-647-9036 975 West Hwy 40 (acrot from Smith's) InOviduai opanwiCM with tearing inttrumtnt may vary, depending on Iht leventy ol hawing km accuracy o valuation and aMily to adapt to nattng akl$. ' 'Hearing acmaningt always tree. Understanding chiropractic medicine is the job of Dr. Smuin. Sett the record by Drs. Bryan and Marianne Smuin Although chiropractic health care has been around since the late 1800s, many people are misinformed misin-formed about the concept of chiropractic. chiro-practic. Chiropractic is the' art and science of diagnosis and treatment of spinal and nervous disorders w ithout the use of drugs or surgery. The concept of chiropractic, is simple. sim-ple. Joints in the body move in many different directions. Often the joints become restrictecU or stuck, due to every day demands. These restricted joints can create muscle tightness, soreness, inflammation, nerve impingement andor pain. Chiropractors use spinal adjustment to restore normal joint movement The most frequently asked question ques-tion about retainers is, "How long will I need to wear them?" The answer is not always easy and in order to answ er it, some of the main causes of treatment relapse must be explored. Studies have shown that teeth left in an inherently unstable position following orthodontic treatment have a very high tendency tenden-cy to relapse. Also, continued growth following treatment may alter treatment results and cause what orthodontists call "late mandibular crowding." Normally, if it is felt that the teeth have been placed in a stable position, full time retainer wear for six months followed fol-lowed by six months of night time wear followed by occasional wear thereafter (every second or third night until the late mandibular growth spurt is over) will be sufficient suffi-cient to maintain position of the teeth. - Advertisement - Miracle-Ear pioneer and innovator innova-tor will meet personally with individuals indi-viduals who are experiencing hearing problems (including "nerve deafness"). Mr. Finlay will provide consultations consul-tations on the most advanced, Miracle-Ear technology. He will also discuss Miracle-Ear's Optisound deep-canal fitting method. He will also discuss Miracle-Ear's Miracle-Ear's hearing aid with the new Sharp Dynamic circuit that may help you hear what you've been missing. This sophisticated circuit makes soft sounds easier to hear, while it keeps loud sounds comfortable. com-fortable. He has assisted in developing the procedures and certification for fitting Miracle-Ear's new Mirage, the hearing instrument that is virtually invisible. This instrument has an automatic volume vol-ume control, no need to fiddle with adjustments makes it possible possi-ble to use a telephone without the annoying whistling. Participants in Mr. Finlay's and thereby decrease these effects. By keeping the joints moving properly prop-erly the body is allowed to function normally and therefore reduce the pain and symptoms. Although there may be other complicating factors, this is the basic concept of chiropractic. chiro-practic. The doctors at Smuin Chiropractic Clinic focus on patient education and treatment. They teach patients about their bodies and explain why it is hurting, what can be done to help them and what they can do to help themselves. They strive to provide quality chiropractic chi-ropractic care in a relaxed, comfortable comfort-able and professional atmosphere and they are not treating just a condition, con-dition, but an entire person. In cases where expanding has been used to make room to align crowded teeth, particularly in the lower jaw, many times permanent retention is prescribed. There is literature lit-erature that both supports and rejects the stability of the expanded arch (widening the arch), but the large majority of the research that has been done shows that excessive expansion, particularly of the lower arch, is not inherently stable. In these cases, bonding a permanent retainer on the tongue side of the lower front teeth is necessary to maintain the alignment of the teeth. No matter w hat types of retainers are used, traditional removable or bonded retainers, they are a critical part of maintaining those straight teeth and that beautiful smile that you have worked so heard to get. So don't forget to wear your retainers. retain-ers. workshop will receive, without charge or obligation Computerized audiometric testing to determine personalized amplification requirements. Detailed explantation of the test results. Test listen on the Miracle-Ear Master Hearing Aid. Current hearing aid wearers will also receive: Hearing aid cleaning and inspection. In-the-ear assessment of hearing aid, using "Real Ear Measurement" technology. Adjustment of hearing aids to peak performance. Free package of batteries for any hearing aid (must be 18 years or older, limit one pack per hearing aid wearer.) The above offers are valid (only) during the two days of the workshop. Mr. Finlay will be at the Vernal Clinic on Sept 8 and 9. If you have a hearing problem even if you think nothing can help, do yourself, your loved ones and your friends a favor... call today to schedule an appointment. t |