What is cholesterol?
        Soft, fat-like, waxy substance found in blood stream and in cells of the body.  Too much cholesterol in blood is major risk of coronary heart disease which can lead to heart attack and stroke.

Where does cholesterol come from? 

75% comes from liver and other cells in body
25% comes from food

Total Cholesterol --- Category
Less than 200 --- Desirable
200 - 239 --- Borderline High
240 and above --- High

What are the types of cholesterol?

LDL (Bad) Cholesterol:  Too much LDL in the blood can build up in arteries and ultimately cause narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart
HDL (Good) Cholesterol:  High levels protect against heart attack by carrying cholesterol away from the arteries.
Triglycerides:  Type of fat that is carried by LDL or bad cholesterol and are eventually stored as fat in the body.

What factors affect cholesterol levels?

Diet:  Saturated fat and cholesterol in food increase cholesterol levels.
Weight:  Losing weight can increase your good cholesterol while reducing your bad cholesterol.
Exercise:  Regular exercise can lower LDL and raise HDL.  Try to get 30 minutes activity a day.
Age:  cholesterol levels rise as we get older
Other:  Diabetes, heredity and certain medications can also increase your overall cholesterol. 

Bottom Line
       The bottom line is that cholesterol is an important consideration for your health especially as you get older. 
Although there are many factors, the main controllable factor tends to be diet. 
Avoiding diets high in saturated fats and eating foods low in cholesterol are the keys to keeping your cholesterol low. 
      A general rule is, fats that are solid at room temperature are higher in saturated fats.  Replacing fats such as butter and sticks of margarine with vegetable and olive oils are good starts.
Also, keep in mind an active lifestyle is one of the most beneficial things you can do, not only for cholesterol reduction but for every aspect of your health from stress relief, to weight loss to reduction of low back and neck pain.

      Below is a list of foods that lower cholesterol. You can use this list of cholesterol reducing foods as a guide when eating and should consider having a majority of these foods that lower cholesterol in your home.
- Oat cereal
- Cereals containing flaxseed or psyllium
- Whole grain cereals
- All types of fruits, especially currants, grapes, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, citrus fruits, apples.
- Pecan nuts, walnuts, olives, soy nuts
- Dried or canned beans, peas and lentils
- Corn, fresh, frozen or canned
- Soybean products
- Whole wheat bread

I have heard repetitive stress used in relation to carpal tunnel and tennis elbow but what does repetitive stress have to do with neck, low back, or shoulder pain, which seems to be your clinic’s expertise?  Dafne

Repetitive stress injuries (RSI) are also known as repetitive motion or overuse injuries which I think are more appropriate descriptions.

Carpal tunnel seems to be the most commonly linked RSI but they can be any injury to the musculo-skeletal system or nervous system due to repetitive motions, forceful exertions, mechanical compressions or sustained or awkward positions.

One of the first questions I ask a new patient is their occupation.  More and more, what a patient does in their daily activities is a major cause of their pain.

For example, I have found that elementary school teachers have a higher incidence of neck pain.  Without boring you with too much technical information, the most compromising position for the neck is when your head is in flexion or looking down.

Elementary school teachers are constantly in flexion.  After all, they are looking down on small children all day long.  Teachers, in general, have a high incidence of neck pain.  Whether they are looking down at children or grading papers, they are in a compromised position much of their day.

On the other hand, the most compromising position for your low back is a sitting position.  People who are at a desk all day will suffer from degenerative disk disease, pinched nerves, muscular imbalances to name a few.

I think traditionally, people thought those with manual labor jobs would be the most susceptible to these injuries but the repetition of my patient’s daily activities seem to be the cause despite the fact that they are not necessarily physical in nature.

So, what do you do about it?  You can’t stop working!

The first step is attempting to ensure that your work station is ergonomically correct.  Does your chair take some of the pressure off of your back?  Is the top of your computer just below eye level?  **I have written several articles on proper ergonomics.  Contact me at buckheadpainspecialists@gmail.com if you would like a copy.

Maintaining proper posture, proper stretching routines, massage and mirror image exercises are great tools.  Remember, prevention is the key.

Of course, if you are already experiencing pain and you haven’t read the rest of the newsletter, go back and read it and stop procrastinating!  And start investing in your future.  I am always available to help you whether you are a patient or not!

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Benjamin Franklin

As a doctor, it always strikes me as funny that people will spend their lives saving money, contributing to their 401k, buying stocks etc.  They call this investing in their future.

Yet, when it comes to their health, people don’t pay nearly enough time investing.  Going to the gym is investing in your health.  Eating properly is investing in your health.  Getting yearly physicals are investing in your health. 

Why do we put more of a priority in investing our money, in taking our cars to get oil changes than taking care of our health? 

We have already established that stress is the silent killer, yet the majority of us don’t do anything to counteract our stress.

It doesn’t take THAT much effort.   I hear this all the time: “I didn’t realize how bad I felt until I felt good!” 

Most people don’t even realize what stress is doing to their bodies.  Most people simply think this is a part of aging.  WELL, IT ISN’T! 

It doesn’t matter as much what you do.  Just do something! 

Research suggests that exercise is the best way to prevent mental stress from manifesting itself into physical stress.

BUT, the best advice is:  DO SOMETHING!  

You must do something to take your mind off whatever it is that causes you stress, to give your body a release. Go for a walk, hit the gym, go hiking, attend a yoga class!     

Simply choose an activity you enjoy doing, or if you hate physical activity whatever it is that you are willing to do! 

If exercise isn’t an option, massage is a great tool to utilize.

****Did you know that your insurance can pay for your massage at our office?  Co-pays as little as $5!  One of our staff members can even check your insurance for you! 

Other stress reduction options include a warm bath, reading, meditation, go out to eat with some friends, play with a pet, get a pedicure.  Something, anything for yourself!