Mental Attitude: Music May Soothe Post-Op Pain. Patients recovering from major surgery often struggle with pain and
anxiety. In this study, 30 post-surgical patients participated in a 30-minute music therapy session within 72 hours of their
operation that included singing, rhythmic drumming, and live music. Researchers found that those who participated in the music
sessions experienced less subsequent pain than patients who received usual care. The findings suggest that music therapy could
be helpful in reducing pain and medication use among post-op patients. American Journal of Orthopedics, April 2017
Health Alert: Could Gray Hair Mean a Higher Risk for Heart Disease? Atherosclerosis (the narrowing of the arteries due
to the build-up of cholesterol and other substances on arterial walls) and graying hair have similar causes: the damaged DNA
that comes with aging, increased oxidative stress, and the aging of cells. An observational study that included 545 adult men
found that those with coronary heart disease had greater hair whitening and increased levels of coronary artery calcification than
their healthier counterparts. European Society of Cardiology, April 2017
Diet: How to Correctly Store Cooking Oils. Heart-healthy cooking oils—such as olive, walnut, or avocado oil—have become
popular in the kitchen as people seek to cook healthier dishes; however, you must be careful how you store such oils. The
Cleveland Clinic offers these recommendations to ensure that you’re cooking with the best oil: over time, exposure to light or
heat can affect the taste of oil, so store it in a cool, dark place; if your oil begins to taste a bit off, replace with a fresh bottle;
grapeseed and walnut oils should be stored in the refrigerator, as they can become rancid quickly; most other oils can be
refrigerated; and though refrigerated oils may appear cloudy, that effect disappears when they reach room temperature.
The Cleveland Clinic, April 2017
Exercise: Carbs Help with Recovery After Intense Workout. Current evidence strongly suggests that moderate to intense
physical activity can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various forms of cancer, and it may even improve
longevity overall. However, prolonged, intense physical exercise can have negative effects on the immune system. A new study
finds that consuming carbs (such as a banana, for example) during or immediately after exercise reduces exercise-related
immunodepression and helps the body to recover, particularly for those who undertake high-intensity activity for sessions of 90
minutes or more. Journal of Applied Physiology, March 2017
Chiropractic: How Often Do Children Have Back Pain? Spinal pain is a common condition among children and adolescents.
In this study, researchers monitored school children ages eight to fifteen for three years and found 55% experienced one or more
episodes of back pain during that time. Though most children had only a few short-lasting episodes of spinal pain, more than
one out of five children had three or more episodes during each study year, and 17% of all episodes lasted for more than a
month. The investigators note the study demonstrates that spinal pain is a substantial problem among children, and further
research is needed to determine preventive measures and management. Chiropractors are trained to evaluate and treat children
with musculoskeletal pain. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, March 2017
Wellness/Prevention: A Clean Bedroom Can Aid Sleep. An organized and comfortable bedroom can help you reduce stress
and help you to sleep more soundly. The National Sleep Foundation recommends the following to help organize your room:
remove all electronics, including the TV; use light bulbs that are 60 watts or less; make sure curtains black out sunlight; check
your mattress for signs of wear; consider replacing the mattress if you wake with pain; replace worn sheets, and check that
pillows are soft, fluffy, and supportive; keep your bedroom cool by using a fan; and de-clutter your room by clearing out
unneeded furniture. National Sleep Foundation, April 2017
Quote: “Life begins on the other side of despair.” ~ Jean-Paul Sartre
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: A Lonely Heart May Worsen Cold Symptoms. Being lonely may mean more misery when you’re sick.
Investigators tracked the mental and physical health of 159 volunteers and found that people who said they had less social
support had cold symptoms that were more severe than individuals who felt more socially connected. Researcher Dr. Angie
LeRoy advises people to do what you can to get more socially active because “[if] you build those networks—consistently
working on them and your relationships—when you do fall ill, it may not feel so bad.” Health Psychology, March 2017
Health Alert: US Pedestrian Deaths Are a Growing Problem. According to a new Governors Highway Safety Association
report, 15% of all motor vehicle collision-related deaths in 2016 were pedestrians, which is up from 11% just a decade ago.
Factors that may possibly play a role in this increase include increased smartphone use, which can lead to distraction; improved
safety features in cars, which may reduce the risk of serious injury to occupants but offer no benefit to pedestrians stuck by
vehicles; and an increase in Americans walking for health, environmental, or economic reasons.
Governors Highway Safety Association, March 2017
Diet: Make Fruit and Veggies More Appetizing. We all know how important it is to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, but it is
often difficult to convince ourselves or our children to eat them. To help make fruits and vegetables more flavorful and
appealing, the American Heart Association suggests the following: roast vegetables at high temperatures to caramelize them and
make them naturally sweeter; throw fruit on the grill for a richer, sweeter flavor; and lightly sauté veggies until crisp, not soggy.
American Heart Association, April 2017
Exercise: Why Doesn’t Exercise Work as Well for Some People? Physical activity is key in the prevention of obesity and
associated health conditions, but some people obtain greater rewards from exercise than others. In a new study that involved 31
women, researchers found that those who had high levels of the protein selenoprotein P in their blood before partaking in an
eight-week exercise program demonstrated a lower maximal oxygen intake after the study than those with lower initial blood
levels of selenoprotein P. Investigators say that further research is needed to gain a more detailed understating of how
selenoprotein P impacts physical activity, but they hope the study will lead to ways to reduce selenoprotein P production to aid
in improving exercise endurance. Nature Medicine, March 2017
Chiropractic: Many People Choose Manual Therapies for Headaches. Utilizing data from 35 published studies, a new
report finds that about a third (32.3%) of headache patients utilize manual therapies to help manage their condition. The report
notes the most common reasons headache patients seek out manual therapies include pain relief, perceived safety, and
dissatisfaction with drug-based treatment options. Chiropractors have long used manual therapies such as spinal manipulation to
effectively treat headache sufferers. BMC Neurology, March 2017
Wellness/Prevention: Protect Your Child’s Body Image. What you say can affect your children, even if you don’t think they
are listening—so when talking about body image, remember to have a positive attitude. The United States (US) Department of
Health and Human Services suggests the following: avoid speaking negatively about food, weight, body shape, and body size;
provide a wide variety of healthy meals and snacks, and let your child make decisions about what to eat; praise your child for
values, accomplishments, efforts, and talents; communicate openly and frequently; limit TV time, but watch it together so you
can discuss the images you see; become active at your child’s school; and support policies that oppose discrimination, teasing,
and harassment. US Department of Health and Human Services, April 2017
Quote: “While there’s life, there’s hope.” ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: PTSD May Be a Systemic Disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) normally stems from witnessing
a shocking, dangerous, or life-threatening event. Researchers recently conducted an analysis of nearly 300 Australian military
veterans from the Vietnam War era and found those with a history of PTSD were much more likely to experience sleep
disorders, gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular diseases, and numerous other health conditions. Based on the findings the
researchers conclude that, “The higher frequency of comorbid physical conditions suggests that PTSD be conceptualized not as
a purely mental disorder, but rather as a systemic disorder. Integrated healthcare strategies directed at the psychological and
physical health of patients with PTSD, as well as rigorous control of risk factors, are likely to improve their quality of life and
their survival.” Medical Journal of Australia, March 2017
Health Alert: Don’t Watch TV During Meals. Switching off your TV during meal time may help keep you slim. Researchers
analyzed data on nearly 13,000 adults and found that those who said they never watched TV or videos during family meals were
much less likely to be obese than those who always watched something during mealtime. Additionally, respondents whose
family meals were all home-cooked were less likely to be obese than those who ate only some or no home-cooked meals. Study
lead author Dr. Rachel Tumin explains, “This highlights the importance of thinking critically about what is going on during
those meals, and whether there might be opportunities to turn the TV off or do more of your own food preparation.”
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, March 2017
Diet: Fruits and Veggies Are Good for the Aging Brain. Seniors who consume more than five servings of fruits and
vegetables per day may experience both a delay in age-related cognitive decline and a lower risk for neurodegenerative diseases
when compared with their peers who consume fewer servings of produce per day.
Advances in Hygiene and Experimental Medicine, April 2017
Exercise: Can Too Much Exercise Be a Bad Thing? While several studies have demonstrated that lack of physical activity
can increase the risk of mental health problems, those who exercise in excess may also experience mental health symptoms such
as irritability, depression, apathy, difficulty concentrating, and loss of self-esteem. American Council on Exercise, April 2017
Chiropractic: Neck Pain Is a Major Problem in the Dental Field… An analysis of health questionnaires completed by
dentists, dental assistants, and dental technicians reveals that neck pain is a surprisingly common complaint in dental offices.
While nearly 76% of the dentists, almost 91% of dental assistants, and 40% of dental technicians experience cervical
discomfort, only 40% of those surveyed have sought care for their symptoms. The authors of the analysis conclude,
“Considering the fact that the said discomforts affect performing both professional and everyday activities, its prevention is
necessary in order to avoid the consequences they carry.” Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, March 2017
Wellness/Prevention: A Good Night’s Sleep May Save Your Life. Good sleep quality for men may mean the difference
between life and death. In this study, researchers analyzed long-term data on more than 823,000 men in the United States and
found that men under the age of 65 who slept just three to five hours per night were 55% more likely to develop fatal prostate
cancer than those who slept seven hours nightly. Study author Dr. Susan Gapstur adds, “If confirmed in other studies, these
findings would contribute to evidence suggesting the importance of obtaining adequate sleep for better health.”
American Association for Cancer Research, April 2017
Quote: “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there
seemed to be no hope at all.” ~ Dale Carnegie

I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.