Mental Attitude: Self-Harm Often Follows Economic Ruin. Researchers in the United Kingdom report that self-harm
behavior among middle-aged men increased 50% in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Senior study author Dr. Nav
Kapur writes, “[Men] in midlife are a group we are particularly worried about because of their high rate of suicide… Our
research highlights the potential importance of economic factors, so providing advice for unemployment, housing, and
financial problems is likely to be helpful. But improving access to services and tackling alcohol misuse could have a big
impact, too.” British Journal of Psychiatry, May 2019
Health Alert: Many Middle-Aged Men Have Thinning Bones. Osteopenia and osteoporosis are often seen as a
woman’s health issue, but a new study involving 173 middle-aged adults revealed that low bone mass in the hip was
common in both sexes. The findings suggest that men should take steps to help ensure their bone health by eating a wellbalanced diet rich in calcium, getting adequate vitamin D, and performing weight-bearing exercise.
Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, May 2019
Diet: Healthier Diet Leads to Healthier Breastmilk. A study involving 354 breastfeeding mothers and their children
found that kids are less likely to be heavy for their age at six months when their mom eats a healthy diet. The researchers
hypothesize that such children will also have a reduced risk for childhood obesity. Nutrients, May 2019
Exercise: Exercise May Improve Depression, Diabetes Outcomes. Past research suggests that diabetics have an
elevated risk for depression. In a study involving type 2 diabetics under treatment for depression, those who also
participated in an exercise program were significantly more likely to experience a resolution of their depressive
symptoms. Diabetes Care, May 2019
Chiropractic: Back Pain Is Common Among Blue Collar Workers. An analysis of data concerning nearly 2,000 blue
collar workers from different regions of the United States revealed that 25% experienced low back pain lasting longer
than seven days during the previous year and 10% missed work due to the condition. However, only 14% sought care for
their back pain. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, May 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Children & Pets. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) believes
that teaching children how to care for a pet is an invaluable experience that can help kids develop much needed social
skills and help them learn how to treat others nicely. The AACAP offers the following guidelines and advice to parents
and guardians: children under the age of four should be monitored with pets at all times; children under ten are unable to
care for large animals by themselves; parents must always oversee the pet’s care, regardless of the child’s age; and if a
child neglects the pet, parents must take over or find a new home for the animal.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, June 2019
Quote: “You had better live your best and act your best and think your best today; for today is the sure preparation for
tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow.” ~ Harriet Martineau
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Playing an Instrument Is Good for the Brain. Cognitive assessments completed by 100 elementary
school-aged children revealed an association between hours spent per week practicing a musical instrument and
intellectual ability. The authors conclude, “The results suggest that the relationship between musical practice and
intellectual ability is related to the maturation of white matter pathways in the auditory-motor system. The findings
suggest that musical training may be a means of improving cognitive and brain health during development.”
Frontier in Psychology, May 2019
Health Alert: Women in Cardiac Arrest Are Less Likely to Get Help. A review of data concerning more than 5,700
out-of-hospital cardiac arrests revealed that men were more likely than women to receive resuscitation attempts by
bystanders (74% versus 69%), even if a bystander saw the person collapse. European Heart Journal, May 2019
Diet: Dawn-to-Sunset Fasting May Benefit Obesity-Related Conditions. In a pilot study involving 14 healthy
individuals, researchers observed that fasting from sunrise to sunset for 30 days led to a significant increase in TPM3 gene
expression, which is vital for increasing insulin sensitivity and managing blood glucose levels. Based on the findings, lead
author Dr. Ayse Leyla Mindikoglu writes, “[We] believe that dawn-to-sunset fasting may provide a cost-effective
intervention for those struggling with obesity-related conditions.” Digestive Disease Week, May 2019
Exercise: Resistance Training at Work Reduces Upper Limb Injuries. A small-scale study involving 120
manufacturing workers revealed that those who participated in a workplace resistance training exercise program were
38% less likely to develop a musculoskeletal disorder of the upper limbs than workers who performed stretching
exercises. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, June 2019
Chiropractic: Neck Pain & Migraines. Among a group of 142 patients with a history of migraines, those with
concurrent neck pain reported 80% more migraine-related disability than participants without neck pain. The findings add
to a growing body of research that suggests the neck plays a role in the migraine headache process, as previous studies
have noted an association between cervical dysfunction and migraine intensity and frequency. Doctors of chiropractic are
known to utilize spinal manipulation and exercise in the management of neck pain and migraine patients.
Cephalalgia, May 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Play It Safe with Wildlife. National and local parks provide opportunities to see wild animals, and
these situations come with risks and responsibilities, as wild animals can be dangerous and unpredictable. The National
Park Service urges park-goers to follow these guidelines: observe wildlife from a distance, do not feed wild animals, keep
children in sight at all times, store food properly, and do not set up camp near game trails.
National Park Service, June 2019
Quote: “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And no heart has ever suffered when it
goes in search of its dream.” ~ Paulo Coelho
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: “Burn-Out” Now Recognized as a Medical Condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) has
added “burn-out” to its list of recognized medical diagnosis codes called the International Classification of Diseases.
Burn-out is defined as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been
successfully managed.” The syndrome is further characterized by three dimensions: 1) feelings of energy depletion or
exhaustion; 2) increased mental distance from one’s job or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and 3)
reduced professional efficacy. World Health Organization, May 2019
Health Alert: Dentists Prescribe Antibiotics That Are Unnecessary Most of the Time. After reviewing nearly 170,000
dentist-written antibiotic prescriptions from 2011 to 2015, researchers concluded that 81% of scripts were unnecessary as
the patients did not have a cardiac condition that warranted an antibiotic prescription as recommended by current medical
guidelines. The Illinois-Chicago College of Dentistry’s Dr. Susan Rowan notes, “Dental providers are very thoughtful
when they develop care plans for their patients and there are many factors that inform dentists’ recommendations, but this
study shows that there is an opportunity for dentists to reevaluate if necessary.” JAMA Network Open, May 2019
Diet: Eat More Fruits & Veggies! An analysis of data from ten published studies concerning 33,645 participants
concluded that there’s an association between increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and a reduced risk for
experiencing depressive symptoms. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, June 2019
Exercise: Interval Training Can Benefit Obese Seniors. Among a group of 36 obese 70-year-old men and women,
those who participated in a ten-week home-based bodyweight interval training program lost an average of two pounds of
body fat and gained one pound of lean muscle mass. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, May 2019
Chiropractic: Overweight/Obese Children Have Increased Risk for Lumbar Hyperlordosis. Examinations of 910
pre-adolescents revealed that kids who are overweight for their age are more likely to exhibit excessive curvature of the
lumbar spine, which may raise their risk for future back pain. The findings are especially concerning to researchers as
obesity has become more prevalent among children in recent decades. Childhood Obesity, April 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Normal Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Levels Can Prevent “Heart Block.” Heart block, also
known as atrioventricular block, occurs when electrical signals between the chambers of the heart are disrupted. This is
often felt as a skipped beat and can result in the need for a pacemaker. An analysis of data concerning more than 6,000
people, aged 30 and older, showed that every 10 millimeter increase in systolic blood pressure (top number) is associated
with a 22% greater risk of heart block, and every millimeter increase in fasting blood sugar is linked to a 19% greater risk
of developing the rhythm disorder. Researchers estimate that 47% of the heart block cases in the study could have been
prevented with ideal blood pressure, while 11% could have been prevented with normal fasting blood sugar levels.
JAMA Network Open, May 2019
Quote: “Nobody owes anybody a living, but everybody is entitled to a chance.” ~ Jack Dempsey
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: “Bad” Cholesterol Tied to Alzheimer’s. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL or the “bad” cholesterol)
may play a role in the development of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, researchers observed that individuals
with high LDL cholesterol levels had an elevated risk for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease when compared to participants
with lower LDL levels, even after controlling for a genetic mutation linked to high LDL cholesterol. Lead researcher Dr.
Thomas Wingo notes, “If there is a causal link between Alzheimer’s disease and cholesterol, we might need to revise
targets for LDL cholesterol levels to help reduce Alzheimer’s risk.” JAMA Neurology, May 2019
Health Alert: Epilepsy Linked to Increased Risk for Second Stroke. Using data from six published studies concerning
over 16,000 adults, researchers estimate that patients with epilepsy who experience either a hemorrhagic or ischemic
stroke may have up to double the risk for a subsequent stroke. Epilepsy & Behavior, June 2019
Diet: Energy Drinks and the Heart. According to a new study, consuming two energy drinks can result in a significant
change in the time that the chambers of the heart need to contract and relax. This measure is called the QT interval, and
when this number rises, a person’s risk of experiencing life-threatening arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death also
increases. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, May 2019
Exercise: Take More Steps. Health and activity tracker data collected from over 17,000 older women revealed that
increasing the number of steps taken per day from 2,700 steps to 4,400 steps may reduce the risk of death in the next four
years by up to 41%. JAMA Internal Medicine, May 2019
Chiropractic: Oscillatory Mobilization and Sustained Stretch Mobilization. Cervical radiculopathy is a relatively
common disorder that compels patients to seek chiropractic care. In this study, researchers compared the effects of two
forms of mobilization therapy (oscillatory vs. sustained stretch) on 46 cervical radiculopathy patients and found that both
were effective at improving pain, range of motion, and disability. However, the patients in the oscillatory mobilization
group experienced greater improvements with respect to functional ability and range of motion. Doctors of chiropractic
commonly use a variety of mobilization techniques along with other treatment approaches, such as spinal manipulation, to
reduce pain and improve function in patients with musculoskeletal pain, including cervical radiculopathy.
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, May 2019
Wellness/Prevention: Do You Have IBS? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a collection of symptoms that usually does
not exhibit visible signs of damage or disease in the digestive tract, and individuals who have family members with IBS
are at a greater risk of developing the condition themselves, as are individuals with high stress levels and those who have
experienced a gastrointestinal event. The National Institutes of Health states that symptoms of IBS include abdominal
pain, diarrhea or constipation, and whitish mucus in the stool. The organization recommends that you should seek care if
you believe you have symptoms consistent with the condition. National Institutes of Health, June 2019
Quote: “Life doesn’t just happen to you; you receive everything in your life based on what you’ve given.”
~ Rhonda Byrne
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.

Mental Attitude: Teasing Kids About Weight May Lead to Weight Gain. A study that included 110 middle school
students who were either overweight or at risk of being overweight found that those who reported high levels of weightrelated teasing were more likely to experience an increase in their body mass index than participants who were not teased
about their weight. Study author Dr. Natasha Schvey explains, “Weight-based teasing is associated with a bunch of
unhealthy behaviors. Teasing about weight can prompt unhealthy eating. Kids may also avoid physical activity because of
teasing. There might also be some biological mechanisms. Being stigmatized for your weight is a stressful experience,
which might lead to an increase in stress hormones, which might make you crave unhealthy foods.”
Pediatric Obesity, May 2019
Health Alert: Chronic Inflammation and Late-Life Depression… An analysis of data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in
Communities Study suggests that individuals with chronic inflammation in the decades leading up to old age have an
elevated risk for late-life depression. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, May 2019
Diet: Highly Processed Foods Linked to Heart Disease. Researchers monitored the health and dietary behaviors of over
100,000 adults for five years and identified an association between ultra-processed food consumption and an elevated risk
for both heart attack and stroke. BMJ, May 2019
Exercise: Exercise Apps Help Boost Activity Levels. Exercise apps and fitness trackers have become very popular, but
do they really help users become more active? In a study involving 210 inactive women, researchers observed that those
who used the combination of an exercise app, an activity tracker, and personal counseling increased the number of steps
they took per day, as well as the number of minutes per day they engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity—and
these increases persisted up to three months after the end of the study! JAMA Network Open, May 2019
Chiropractic: Connective Tissue Manipulation Benefits Those with Chronic Low Back Pain. Among a group of 66
chronic low back pain patients, those who received connective tissue manipulation in addition to physiotherapy modalities
reported greater improvements with respect to pain, mobility, and overall wellbeing when compared to participants treated
with sham manipulation or just physiotherapy alone. Doctors of chiropractic often use a combination of manipulative
therapy and other treatments to help chronic low back pain patients achieve a successful outcome.
Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, April 2019
Wellness/Prevention: How to Stop Nail Biting. Biting your nails is unsanitary and can damage the skin around the nail,
increase the risk of infection, and harm teeth. To stop nail biting, the Mayo Clinic recommends the following: avoid
factors that trigger nail biting; take steps to manage stress and anxiety; keep your nails neatly trimmed; occupy your hands
or mouth, such as by chewing gum; and apply a bitter-tasting lacquer to nails. If you’re concerned about nail biting,
consider talking to a doctor or a mental health professional. Mayo Clinic, June 2019
Quote: “Sometimes success isn’t about making the right decision, it’s more about making some decision.”
~ Robin S. Sharma
I found that Dr. Joe Megna is one of the best chiropractors I have found in the Napa region.