It never ceases to amaze me.  I look at the history, of the back pain patient sitting in front of me, only to find out that they don’t eat any fruits and vegetables; or if they do, they only get 1 or 2 servings.  They don’t eat fish, don’t use supplements and eat lots of fast and fried junk food.  Then they ask me why their backs hurt.  So I might say to them, would you expect your car to run well if you didn’t put quality gas in the tank, change the oil and give it the appropriate routine maintenance.  To this they reply: No.  I follow up with: Then why do you expect to feel great if you’re feeding your body with junk food, that’s void of so many vital nutrients, while causing your entire body to be inflamed? 

Use the following nutrients to protect your joints and create a healthier inflammatory picture in your body. 
• Fish Oil-Improves the overall inflammatory picture in your body while supporting joint, heart and brain health.  Use a concentrated pharmaceutical grade product free of mercury, heavy metals, PCB’s and other impurities.  Take at least 2,400 mgs of combined EPA and DHA per day.  (I use OmegaBerry Super Formula capsules, and Arctic Omega liquid)
• Glucosamine/Chondroitin Sulfate- Use the sulfate form which is the type utilized in the lions share of the positive research.  Most studies show that this combination helps reduce joint pain and protects cartilage allowing enhanced joint mobility and healing.  GC Flex adds 5-loxin, a natural anti-inflammatory which supports healthy collagen production.  In a recent trial on joint pain 5-loxin performed remarkably well. Use 1500mgs of glucosamine, 1200mgs of chondroitin, and 100mgs of 5-loxin which is the exact formulation of GC Flex.
• Multivitamin-Supplying your body with good levels of vitamins and minerals in their natural forms preferably with extracts from several super foods (I use Perfect Multi Super Greens).
• Use a Pytonutrient Drink-.  Maybe you’ve heard me speak about
Triple Greens, Super Reds and Perfect Purples on the radio.  Let’s face it; Americans don’t get close to enough fruits and vegetables.  That's why I recommend a phytonutrient drink to all of my patients.  It fills the void adding the super fruits and vegetables which you're not getting from your diet. Each scoop has the antioxidant equivalent of 5-10 servings of fruits and vegetables. Any one of them will fit the bill. I like to mix all 3 together in a big canister and have a couple of heaping scoops of the mixture every day with my protein powder and water. You can also use milk, orange juice, pineapple juice or any other liquid you prefer.  They all taste good, but the Super Reds and the Perfect Purples are a little better than Triple Greens.  Either way, adding a heaping scoop or two of the finest, most potent, health promoting fruits, vegetables and super foods in the world to your diet every single brings with it some extraordinary health benefits for your spine, brain, heart and skin.

YOU MUST ENHANCE YOUR SPINAL FITNESS!!! Too many of us have settled into a sedentary lifestyle in which we sit as we drive to work, then sit at a desk all day, then sit some more when we get home.  This causes the spine to become stiff, while the muscles become less flexible and atrophy (become smaller and weaker).  Thus we are predisposed to injury, stiffness and pain.  It is essential to start getting fitter and stronger.  Watch and perform the exercises on my “Core Exercise” video and add the push-ups and squats from my “Get Strong” video.  Bottom line, whether it's, hitting the gym, calisthenics, palates or yoga, just do it, and do it regularly.

As we progress into our 40’s, 50’s and beyond our joints become stiff.  Naturally this includes the spine and rib cage.  Stretching and exercise is very beneficial here, yet many of us still have stiff rigid joints.  This is when a good chiropractor becomes essential.  Chiropractors are trained to find areas of spinal stiffness and mobilize these areas so they can function closer to the way they did in your youth.  This added flexibility, in areas that were formally stiff and rigid, allows the spine to move more freely, reducing the likelihood of injury and pain.  I prefer to seek out a chiropractor with advanced credentialing, such as a one certified in sports chiropractic, orthopedics, Applied Kinesiology, Sacral Occipital technique, ART or neurology.  I have found that chiropractors who have continued their education tend to have those “golden hands.” 

If you follow these guidelines I expect you to feel significantly better within 2-3 weeks.  By the third month on this protocol you will literally feel like a different person.  Give it a try and shoot me an e-mail letting me know how you do.  I love the positive comments.