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Vitamin B5 (also known as pantothenic acid), is used in the conversion of food into energy and in the maintenance of healthy skin, hair and eyes, nervous function and digestive health.Provitamin B5 (Panthenol) is commonly used in a number of health-related products, as it is converted into vitamin B5 by the body’s normal metabolic processes.

Panthenol is used as a humectant (attracts and retains water), a moisturizer and emollient, and is widely used in cosmetics as well as in skin and hair care products. It creates a skin barrier, reducing the amount of water lost through the skin. It also improves skin texture, making it softer and more elastic, so is useful in treating dry, rough, scaly skin problems.

The mitochondria in the body’s cells use a combinaiton of B5 and coenzyme A to produce energy. The presence of vitamin B5 in the cells increases the production of ATP, the molecule that transports the energy that powers the body’s systems. Without adequate amounts of this vitamin, you may become tired, weak and listless.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, lab and animal studies have shown that wounds heal more quickly, especially after surgery, with the use of vitamin B5, particularly when combined with vitamin C.

Vitamin B5 helps the body to utilize other vitamins as well, such as vitamin B2. It also allows the body to best utilize the cholesterol in the food you eat, reducing your level of “bad” LDL cholesterol and raising your “good” HDL cholesterol levels. Studies have also shown that vitamin B5 may help reduce dangerous triglycerides in the blood, which can lead to heart disease.

Vitamin B5 is found in the greatest abundance in organ meats, cauliflower, broccoli, yogurt, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, turnip greens and corn. However, in food sources it is a relatively unstable vitamin, and cooking, freezing or processing foods tends to destroy it. Processed grains, canned vegetables and frozen foods have shown a 21-70% loss in vitamin B5.

Though a vitamin B5 deficiency is rare, people with a poor diet or who have digestive problems are sometimes deficient.Supplementation has been shown to help in the treatment or prevention of a range of conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, burning foot syndrome and cataracts. Vitamin B5 supports the adrenal glands and can help to moderate stress hormones.

The recommended daily intake of vitamin B5 has been set at 5 mg for adults, and 5 to 7 mg for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

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The best way to get answers to your questions is to ask us. You can give us a call during business hours or Email the Doctor.

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To make an appointment, call the main office phone number at (972) 380-6977 or use the Request an Appointment button below to submit an online request.

Learn More About Us

Dallas chiropractor, Dr. Mark Harris founded Trinity Mills Chiropractic to bring pain relief to residents of Dallas TX, North Dallas, Carrollton and surrounding communities. We take great pride in making every patient feel comfortable in our office and making you an informed part of your health care and future wellness.

A chiropractor who is a Certified Chiropractic Wellness Practitioner (CCWP) has pursued a post-doctoral specialty provided by the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) Wellness Lifestyle Certification Program. The course of study for this credential typically consists of four modules, such as the following, offered by the ICA Council:

• Scientific and Philosophical Validation of the Chiropractic Wellness Paradigm
• Wellness Nutrition and Natural Health
• Wellness Physical Fitness and Spinal Hygiene
• Wellness State of Mind, Emotional Health and Secrets of Eliciting Patient Lifestyle Change

The CCWP courses involve a combination of onsite classroom instruction, home study, and examinations, designed to provide a complete foundation in the subject of wellness, lifestyle improvements, and optimal health technologies, within the context of the chiropractic model. Emphasis is placed on studying scientifically validated methods of nutrition, exercise and fitness, stress reduction, and the development of a positive mental attitude, all technologies that complement the chiropractic paradigm.

The designation of Certified Chiropractic Wellness Practitioner indicates that the chiropractor has a commitment to the overall health of his or her patients, and to helping them to adopt healthy lifestyle changes. The cost of chronic illness is enormous; 80% of the cost of healthcare spending is to combat such chronic disorders. In the chiropractic paradigm, chronic illness is a lifestyle issue, one that can be corrected by regular chiropractic care and by attention to issues related to healthy living. Lifestyle is often the root cause of many seeking chiropractic care, including those suffering from back or neck pain or chronic headaches. The patient's lifestyle can also affect how successfully they will respond to chiropractic adjustments and other treatments. The Certified Chiropractic Wellness Practitioner can thus offer advice to patients that can greatly improve their ability to regain a state of wellness as quickly as possible, and maintain that healthier lifestyle in the future, thus preventing future problems.

Those who hold the Certified Chiropractic Wellness Practitioner credential have studied the physiological effects of diet and nutrition, including the possible toxicity of processed foods and chemicals in our environments. They have examined scientific research to see how these factors affect the neurophysiological effect of chiropractic adjustment, and how lifestyle changes can positively affect a successful outcome to treatment. They have also studied the effects of exercise and proper fitness regimens in promoting a more balanced lifestyle both during and post-treatment. Another benefit of the Certified Chiropractic Wellness Practitioner specialty, however, is the practitioner's understanding of the psychology of wellness. That is, the psychological factors of behavioral change, and how they can be utilized to promote a greater sense of well-being, inner peace, and general happiness. The development of a positive mental attitude can be one of the most important factors in realizing the goal of overall wellness and the prevention of chronic disease.

Resources:

• http://www.chiropractic.org/index.php?p=wellness/wellness
• http://www.thewellnesspractice.com
• http://www.inspiredchiropractic.com/doctor/chiropractor/51L/norwich-chiropractor/certified-chiropractic-wellness-practitioner.htm

How to Get More Information

The best way to get answers to your questions is to ask us. You can give us a call during business hours or Email the Doctor.

How to Make an Appointment

To make an appointment, call the main office phone number at (972) 380-6977 or use the Request an Appointment button below to submit an online request.

Learn More About Us

Dallas chiropractor, Dr. Mark Harris founded Trinity Mills Chiropractic to bring pain relief to residents of Dallas TX, North Dallas, Carrollton and surrounding communities. We take great pride in making every patient feel comfortable in our office and making you an informed part of your health care and future wellness.

Generic drugs are medications that include the same active ingredient at the same dosage as a brand-name drug. The US Food and Drug Administration requires that generic drugs have exactly the same pharmacological effects, dosage, intended use, administration route, side effects, safety, risks, and strength as the brand-name drug.

Some people worry that because the generic version costs so much less than the brand-name drug, that the quality or effectiveness of the medication might be compromised in order to save money. However, the generic versions cost less not because of cutting corners, but because the manufacturer has not had to pay for researching, developing, and marketing a new medication. The bulk of the expenses for drug manufacturers come from research, development, and promotion of the drug, and companies that develop new drugs are given a patent. The patent usually lasts for 7 years and allows them to sell the drug exclusively until it expires. When patents near expiration, other manufacturers can request permission to create and sell generic forms of the medication. Since they don’t have the startup expenses of development, they can sell the drug less expensively. In addition, competition between various companies who manufacture generic versions can drive the price even lower.

It is a myth that generic medications are made in inferior facilities or that they are poorer in quality to brand name medicines. The FDA also regulates the facilities that make medications and all must meet the same stringent standards. In fact, many manufacturers make both generic and brand-name drugs, so a lot of the generic versions you may use are created in exactly the same facility as the brand name drugs.

There is also no evidence that there are any differences in rates of side effects between generic and brand name products.

Finally, there is no truth to the idea that generic medicines take longer to work, because the FDA requires that both kinds of medications work as fast and as effectively as the original product. The company making the drug must demonstrate that its medication delivers equal amounts of active ingredient within the same time frame as the brand-name product. They also must demonstrate bioequivalence, or that the product performs in the same manner as the original. The reason that some of the tablets or capsules in generic versions look different from name brand version is that US trademark laws require them to have different colors, flavors, or inactive ingredients.

Resources:

• http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=46204
• http://www.worstpills.org/public/page.cfm?op_id=47

How to Get More Information

The best way to get answers to your questions is to ask us. You can give us a call during business hours or Email the Doctor.

How to Make an Appointment

To make an appointment, call the main office phone number at (972) 380-6977 or use the Request an Appointment button below to submit an online request.

Learn More About Us

Dallas chiropractor, Dr. Mark Harris founded Trinity Mills Chiropractic to bring pain relief to residents of Dallas TX, North Dallas, Carrollton and surrounding communities. We take great pride in making every patient feel comfortable in our office and making you an informed part of your health care and future wellness.

Your spine, or backbone, is the primary physical support for your body. The spine is composed of 33 separate vertebrae, which are flexible and permit standing, bending over, and twisting. The bony vertebrae encase and protect the spinal cord, which is connected directly to the brainstem. A healthy spine is flexible and strong, and it contributes to strong muscles and bones. However, injury, strain or disease can cause problems with the spine such as pain, inflammation and restricted movement.

The spine develops from infancy into adulthood, gradually adapting itself from a C-shape, which is suitable for crawling, to an S-shape, which is the natural shape for two-legged walking. The natural curves in the spine serve to cushion impact from movement, absorb shock, preserve balance, and allow range of motion.

The three main curves in the spine are known as the cervical curve (the neck region), the thoracic curve (the upper back) and the lumbar curve (the lower back). There are 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 4 coccygeal. The sacral and coccygeal are the lowest vertebrae in the spine, below the lumbar area. Good muscle tone is important to help maintain proper posture and spinal alignment. It is also important for us to put effort into maintaining proper posture by training our bodies to walk, stand, lie, and sit such that the lowest possible amount of strain is placed on our spine, muscles, and ligaments.

Twenty-four of the vertebrae in your spine are moveable. They are cushioned by intervertebral discs which act like coiled springs. They are fluid filled and, as we age, become more brittle, causing us to get shorter. Osteoporosis, a common condition related to aging, as well as injury and strain, can cause spinal discs to herniate or bulge. This condition can cause significant back pain.

Damage to the spinal cord can cause numbness and loss of motor function. Injury to the cervical area can cause tetraplegia (also known as quadriplegia), while injury to the thoracic or lumbar area may result in paraplegia, or loss of the use of the legs and trunk.

There are several common spinal disorders. Lordosis, also known as sway back, occurs when there is abnormal forward curvature of the lumbar spine. Those who have abnormal curvature of the thoracic curve have kyphosis, or hunchback. Scoliosis occurs when there is a mild side-to-side curvature in the spine. Slight curves of less than 20 degrees do not usually present health or medical problems. Moderate curves usually need treatment because they can significantly limit physical activity.

Resources:

• http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-AnatSpine.htm
• www.spine-health.com

How to Get More Information


The best way to get answers to your questions is to ask us. You can give us a call during business hours or Email the Doctor.



How to Make an Appointment


To make an appointment, call the main office phone number at (972) 380-6977 or use the Request an Appointment button below to submit an online request.





Learn More About Us


Dallas chiropractor, Dr. Mark Harris founded Trinity Mills Chiropractic to bring pain relief to residents of Dallas TX, North Dallas, Carrollton and surrounding communities. We take great pride in making every patient feel comfortable in our office and making you an informed part of your health care and future wellness.

Some people think chiropractors only treat back pain, but actually they are specialists in the entire musculoskeletal system. They do focus primarily on the spine and surrounding tissues, but the spine is intimately related to good functioning of the whole body. Chiropractors may treat back pain and spasms, sports injuries, headaches, and pregnancy pain. They are trained in a variety of non-invasive techniques and believe in the most natural healing possible.

How do you know if a chiropractor is right for you? Here are some conditions for which chiropractic treatment has been shown to be particularly effective.

1. Joint pain. Pain in the back and other joints is one of the most common health complaints and causes the greatest number of missed work days for health reasons. Chiropractors specialize in treating back pain and have a wide variety of techniques to treat pain anywhere from the feet and ankles up to the neck.
2. Headaches. In particular, migraine headaches can often be effectively treated by a chiropractor. While the exact origin of migraines remains a mystery, spinal manipulation has been shown to improve symptoms as much as a common prescription drug known as amitriptyline.
3. Athletic injuries. Laser therapy is a common treatment for plantar fasciitis, a typical running injury, and it is commonly administered by a chiropractor. A soft tissue therapy known as the Active Release Technique is a popular treatment offered by chiropractors that can treat long-standing injuries to muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and fascia.
4. Pregnancy. A somewhat sudden addition of around 30 pounds to the average woman adds stress to the body, from the back to the ankles, knees and feet. It also results in greater spinal curvature in the lower back and changes to the pelvis. Spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy and therapeutic exercises have been shown to be effective in reducing pain during pregnancy, particularly lower back and groin pain.
5. Whiplash. Whiplash is a common injury sustained after a motor vehicle accident. It results in pain in several areas of the body, as well as headaches and vision problems. Chiropractic treatment has been shown to be effective in treating whiplash through the use of spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and specific exercises for the affected areas.

Other things to consider when choosing the type of care you need for your injury is that chiropractors use drug-free approaches without surgery. They are a good option for many kinds of pain and won’t steer you towards drugs or operations, which should be last-resort treatments because of the risks involved. At the same time, chiropractors are not “anti-traditional medicine” and often collaborate with allopathic doctors as well as other health professionals such as acupuncturists and massage therapists in order to design the most effective treatment plan for their patients.

Resources

• http://www.bcliving.ca/self/how-know-if-you-need-chiropractor
• http://today.com/articles/200606/migraines-and-the-chiropractors-touch

How to Get More Information

The best way to get answers to your questions is to ask us. You can give us a call during business hours or Email the Doctor.

How to Make an Appointment

To make an appointment, call the main office phone number at (972) 380-6977 or use the Request an Appointment button below to submit an online request.

Learn More About Us

Dallas chiropractor, Dr. Mark Harris founded Trinity Mills Chiropractic to bring pain relief to residents of Dallas TX, North Dallas, Carrollton and surrounding communities. We take great pride in making every patient feel comfortable in our office and making you an informed part of your health care and future wellness.

Fiber is important in your diet for a number of reasons, the main ones being that it improves digestion and lowers your risk of contracting diabetes, cancer and heart disease. It is recommended that adults get from 25 to 30 grams of fiber in their diet every day.

There are two types of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water (and digestive juices), forming a gel-like substance that helps to lower cholesterol levels and reduce high blood sugar, while insoluble fiber is an indigestible bulking agent that keeps things moving in the digestive tract, aiding in elimination, and reducing occurrences of constipation, hemorrhoids and diverticulosis.

Soluble fiber can be found such foods as oats, apples, pears, lentils and carrots, while insoluble fiber is typically found in whole grain flour, nuts, broccoli, seeds and wheat bran. Beans may be one of the best sources, as they contain both soluble and insoluble fiber.

Fiber has been found to:

• Lower blood cholesterol – Studies have found that soluble fiber lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or the “bad” cholesterol in the blood, which can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease. The fiber binds to bile acids, allowing for the elimination of cholesterol from the system.
• Control blood sugar levels – Fiber slows the rate at which sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream after a meal, helping to avoid insulin spikes and keeping your blood sugar at moderate levels, also reducing your risk of diabetes.
• Help you lose weight – The more fiber a food has, the more likely you are to feel full after eating and not become hungry as quickly. High-fiber foods are also usually lower in calories, so eating the same volume of high-fiber food will provide you with fewer calories to burn than its low-fiber counterpart.
• Maintain bowel health – Because fiber absorbs water it increases bulk and softens the stool, making elimination easier, and reducing hemorrhoids. Studies have also shown that it can also help relieve irritable bowel syndrome.

Try to avoid eating processed foods, as these are usually quite low in fiber. Your best choice is to eat whole foods such as fresh vegetables and whole grains, which will provide you with a high-fiber diet.

It’s easy to incorporate high-fiber foods into your diet. Oatmeal at breakfast (preferably the steel cut variety, which has considerably more fiber than the instant kind) with a little fresh fruit added makes a great high-fiber start to your day. If you get hungry at work, instead of heading for the candy machine, try bringing some dried fruit or a handful of nuts. You can also add beans or chopped vegetables to soups and stews for extra taste and fiber. Your body will thank you!

How to Get More Information

The best way to get answers to your questions is to ask us. You can give us a call during business hours or Email the Doctor.

How to Make an Appointment

To make an appointment, call the main office phone number at (972) 380-6977 or use the Request an Appointment button below to submit an online request.

Learn More About Us

Dallas chiropractor, Dr. Mark Harris founded Trinity Mills Chiropractic to bring pain relief to residents of Dallas TX, North Dallas, Carrollton and surrounding communities. We take great pride in making every patient feel comfortable in our office and making you an informed part of your health care and future wellness.

The short answer to this question is, "It depends."

For example, the number of recommended adjustments may depend on why you sought chiropractic care in the first place. Were you concerned with pain, or recovery from an injury, or did you seek care to promote your overall health and wellness? The national average when dealing with pain and injury is 20 to 22 adjustments per patient, per injury. When the initial pain or injury has been relieved and treatment moves more into the area of general wellness care and health maintenance, the number of adjustments is almost always a partnership between the chiropractor and the patients. They work together to determine overall goals and set up an appropriate treatment schedule.

Many patients find relief in their first visit and see considerable progress within a week or two of regular visits, and regular adjustments can become less necessary as your body stabilizes. Of course, this varies from patient to patient, depending on the nature of the injury and the stage of treatment they are in. In the first or acute stage, when the patient has first consulted a chiropractor, the primary goal may be to relieve pain and increase mobility, so several adjustments a week may be required to accomplish this.

However, the scar tissue and postural imbalance that can build up around spinal injuries can take some time to heal completely, so there may be a reconstructive or healing phase of treatment. This stage seeks to improve the strength and flexibility of soft tissue surrounding the area of the original injury. During this phase there are commonly fewer adjustments – from once a week to once a month. At first the patient may find in nearly every visit that their spine has slipped back out of adjustment and requires correction. When the spine starts holding its adjustments, however, treatment can be reduced to a check-up every few months.

The number of recommended adjustments may also vary depending on the nature of the services provided by the individual chiropractor. Some treatment approaches seek to correct problems in a few sessions, while others take a more long-term approach, constantly evaluating the patient's progress and changing the treatment regimen accordingly to not just heal the immediate injury but develop a more healthy spine and lifestyle. Chiropractic care is to some extent an art form; there are many ways to adjust the spine, and many ways to determine whether the adjustment has been successful. This can depend on the chiropractor's personal style, where they were educated, their experience, and many other factors.

To some extent the determination of how many adjustments you will need depends on you, your personal goals, and how much you want to benefit from chiropractic care. Some patients seek only resolution of pain or discomfort from an injury, and are not as interested in long-term therapies to improve their spinal and general health. Others choose to pursue treatment because they recognize the importance of maintaining a healthy spine, to prevent future injuries and increase their quality of life.

Resources:

• http://www.ehow.com/video_4397485_how-many-chiropractic-visits-do.html
• http://www.demosschiropractic.com/chiropractic-fidelity.cfm
• http://www.oliverspecific.com/chiropractor/how-many-chiropractic-adjustments-do-i-need-part-2/
• http://www.back2harmony.com/faqs_treatment.html#howmany
• http://www.creatingwellnessdr.com/chiropractic-adjustments.php

How to Get More Information

The best way to get answers to your questions is to ask us. You can give us a call during business hours or Email the Doctor.

How to Make an Appointment

To make an appointment, call the main office phone number at (972) 380-6977 or use the Request an Appointment button below to submit an online request.

Learn More About Us

Dallas chiropractor, Dr. Mark Harris founded Trinity Mills Chiropractic to bring pain relief to residents of Dallas TX, North Dallas, Carrollton and surrounding communities. We take great pride in making every patient feel comfortable in our office and making you an informed part of your health care and future wellness.

While spinal manipulation may seem too intense for infants, it’s actually quite safe. Chiropractors take special care and precautions with babies, and many believe proper chiropractic care can help infants grow more healthfully and even reduce the likelihood of colic and middle ear infections.

In fact, chiropractic care is sometimes used to treat colic, as well as pain, sleep problems, and musculoskeletal concerns. Chiropractic care can also be preventive. As children are very active, there can be a great deal of stress placed on certain parts of the body. Regular chiropractic appointments can help ensure a properly aligned spine as the child grows, resulting in better functioning and less risk of injury.

It is important to know when to go to a chiropractor and when to go to an allopathic doctor. Viral and bacterial infections, for example, are best treated by allopathic doctors. Chiropractic treatment is usually best for musculoskeletal problems, as chiropractors are specialists in the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractors are also a good choice when you want to avoid drugs or surgery, as they are committed to medication-free, surgery-free treatments.

Just as with allopathic doctors, the quality of care may vary and you need to shop around for a qualified and well-respected practitioner. Some are more competent than others. The best way to ensure you get a good chiropractor is to investigate their training, other patient and parent reviews of their services, and when possible, peer-reviews of the chiropractor. Have an interview with the chiropractor before bringing your child in for treatment, and see how comfortable you are with him or her. Don’t be afraid to move on to another practitioner if you are not completely comfortable.

It’s best to find a chiropractor who specializes in pediatric chiropractic for your child. Your pediatrician, local hospital or the Internet can help you find specialists in chiropractic child and infant care. Don’t worry about asking your pediatrician for a referral; both chiropractors and allopathic doctors are used to working together with other health professionals to ensure your child gets the best care and treatment possible. In fact, the best health care professionals available are the ones that are willing to work together with others, and who don’t disparage other kinds of care. Take the time you need to select the best team of professionals to meet your child’s or infant’s particular needs.

References

• http://www.wisegeek.com/is-infant-chiropractic-care-safe.htm
• http://www.chiropractor-finder.com/chiropractors-for-babies-and-children.html

How to Get More Information

The best way to get answers to your questions is to ask us. You can give us a call during business hours or Email the Doctor.

How to Make an Appointment

To make an appointment, call the main office phone number at (972) 380-6977 or use the Request an Appointment button below to submit an online request.

Learn More About Us

Dallas chiropractor, Dr. Mark Harris founded Trinity Mills Chiropractic to bring pain relief to residents of Dallas TX, North Dallas, Carrollton and surrounding communities. We take great pride in making every patient feel comfortable in our office and making you an informed part of your health care and future wellness.

You can benefit from chiropractic care at any age. Because the birthing process – even with natural childbirth methods – can cause subtle injuries to the clavicle, collarbone, spine and neck, parents often bring their infants to their chiropractors for a checkup soon after they are born. Many chiropractors have received specialized training in pediatric care, and have been trained in how to assess these subtle problems and imbalances in ways that medical doctors and pediatricians have not.

Chiropractic care can also benefit children as they continue to grow. Spinal problems may result as the result of falls, or from long periods of time spent in cramped or uncomfortable positions, such as riding in car seats. This can result in many common disorders in children, such as persistent earaches, bed-wetting, colic, or headaches. These conditions have often been successfully treated via chiropractic care. In 2007, nearly 3% of American children were treated with chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, making it one of the most common forms of complementary or alternative medicine used for children.

Chiropractic has been proven for decades to be one of the safest alternative health care methods, and of course safety is even more important when dealing with children. Spinal adjustments, when performed on infants or young children, involve very light, finger-tip movements. One or two pounds of pressure is all that is necessary to correct spinal structures that have become misaligned, because although it is easy for children's spines to shift out of alignment, it is also easy to ease them back into place. The "popping" sound that is often heard when spinal joints are manipulated in adults is not always heard in children. There is rarely any pain or discomfort, and many children enjoy their visits to the chiropractor and look forward to subsequent visits.

So there is no reason why, as a parent, you should not consider chiropractic care for your infant or child, and there are many reasons why it may be wise to do so. The focus of chiropractic is, after all, to treat the "whole person" and, by keeping the spine and nervous system healthy, keeping the whole body healthy. This is as important in children as it is in adults.

It is important to note, however, that a chiropractor is not a replacement for your pediatrician, who is there to provide your children with medications and care in case of serious illness or injury. The chiropractor provides complementary care, focusing on wellness, integrity of the spine and the nervous system, and the development of a healthy immune system. You would not expect your medical doctor or pediatrician to perform a checkup on your children's teeth; instead you'd take them to a dentist, who has had more specialized training. Similarly, chiropractors have had more specialized training that enables them to diagnose subtle imbalances in children's spinal structures and restore them to balance with subtle, non-invasive adjustments.

Resources

• http://backchat.hubpages.com/hub/Why-should-children-see-a-chiropractor
• http://www.chiropracticprovo.com/articles/at-what-age-should-a-child-start-seeing-a-chiropractor/
  http://local.yodle.com/articles/what-age-can-you-visit-a-chiropractor
• http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/painter/2009-01-18-your-health_N.htm
• http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=41406
• http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=37423
• http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/media/pediatricjournal.htm
• http://www.acatoday.org/press_css.cfm?CID=3247

How to Get More Information

The best way to get answers to your questions is to ask us. You can give us a call during business hours or Email the Doctor.

How to Make an Appointment

To make an appointment, call the main office phone number at (972) 380-6977 or use the Request an Appointment button below to submit an online request.

Learn More About Us

Dallas chiropractor, Dr. Mark Harris founded Trinity Mills Chiropractic to bring pain relief to residents of Dallas TX, North Dallas, Carrollton and surrounding communities. We take great pride in making every patient feel comfortable in our office and making you an informed part of your health care and future wellness.

Vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin) is vital to the body’s proper functioning. It helps build and maintain healthy red blood cells, is involved in the production of DNA and RNA and is instrumental in maintaining a healthy nervous system and cell metabolism.

Because vitamin B12 can be stored in the liver for a number of years and we need just a small amount of it to remain healthy, symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency may not show up for a long time. Vegans sometimes find themselves with this deficiency, as animal products are the only food source of vitamin B12 in a form that can be easily utilized by humans. The elderly can also be at risk of deficiency, as our digestive systems have an increasingly difficult time with absorption of the vitamin as we age.

A lack of vitamin B12 can cause a number of problems, including depression, fatigue and memory problems. A severe deficiency can lead to nerve damage or pernicious anemia, a disease that occurs when the stomach becomes unable to produce intrinsic factor, a substance secreted by cells in the stomach, that allows the body to absorb B12.

Without B12 your bones can’t produce enough healthy red blood cells, instead producing large red blood cells in low numbers. Their large size makes it difficult for them to make their way our of the bones and into the bloodstream where they carry on the important work of getting oxygen to the rest of the body’s cells, causing fatigue and other problems.

Some symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include:

• Fatigue

• Depression

• Shortness of breath

• Tingling in fingers or toes

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Nervousness

• Numbness

Supplementation with vitamin B12 can help reduce your risk of age-related macular degeneration, heart disease (due to its ability to lower homocysteine levels), breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and male infertility.

Interestingly, neither plants nor animals make vitamin B12. Rather, it is made by various microorganisms, such as bacteria, molds, yeast and algae, that are then consumed by animals and produce the vitamin in their digestive tract.

There are a number of good dietary sources of vitamin B12, among them eggs, dairy products, beef, pork, chicken, fish and shellfish. Organ meats, clams and oysters are particularly high in the vitamin. Vegetarians and vegans should look for vitamin B12 supplements in the form of fortified cereals, nutritional yeast or spirulina.

How to Get More Information

The best way to get answers to your questions is to ask us. You can give us a call during business hours or Email the Doctor.

How to Make an Appointment

To make an appointment, call the main office phone number at (972) 380-6977 or use the Request an Appointment button below to submit an online request.

Learn More About Us

Dallas chiropractor, Dr. Mark Harris founded Trinity Mills Chiropractic to bring pain relief to residents of Dallas TX, North Dallas, Carrollton and surrounding communities. We take great pride in making every patient feel comfortable in our office and making you an informed part of your health care and future wellness.

Doctors of Chiropractic are not licensed to write medical prescriptions or perform surgery in the United States. They rely instead on a variety of manual treatments, including spinal manipulation and mobilization, which are designed and selected to improve function and alleviate pain for their patients. The chiropractic field is based on treatment with as little use of medication as possible, and is defined by the National Chiropractic Association as ideally a "drug-free, non-surgical science."

That said, most chiropractors recommend that their patients have a primary care physician, and they recognize the efficacy of medications to relieve extreme pain and other conditions. If medication is needed, many chiropractors work closely with their patients' primary care physicians to determine which medicines may be needed to reduce pain or speed the healing process. If chiropractors are also licensed in a field such as homeopathy or naturopathy, they may recommend those types of remedies, or provide general nutritional counseling. Their ability to do this depends on regulations that vary widely from state to state in the U.S.

One state, New Mexico, has recently passed legislation that allows some chiropractors to prescribe medicines. This legislation was considered valuable to the public because the state contains many areas of low population in which the only medical professionals available are chiropractors. After completing a standardized course, these Advanced Practice chiropractors are allowed to prescribe medicines from a strictly regulated formulary. This program has provided access to these medicines to many residents of New Mexico who would otherwise have had to travel several hours to see a medical doctor. Whether this approach will be taken in other states is yet to be seen.

In many cases, chiropractic care is all the therapy that is needed to treat common problems such as lower back pain. Chiropractors are trained in how to perform the manipulations that correct these problems. However, if the problems are more serious or if concurrent conditions are present, chiropractic care may be complemented by other medical treatment. We certainly urge you to consult with your primary care provider in such cases, and to rely on their specialized training to determine if medication is needed.

Resources:

• http://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=2205
• http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic
• http://willistonchiropractic.com/about-chiropractic/

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Dallas chiropractor, Dr. Mark Harris founded Trinity Mills Chiropractic to bring pain relief to residents of Dallas TX, North Dallas, Carrollton and surrounding communities. We take great pride in making every patient feel comfortable in our office and making you an informed part of your health care and future wellness.