More on Eye Strain and Headaches

Also, an effective and safe remedy can be found in applying cold gel packs to the forehead and back of neck in three repetitions- one minute on and one minute off. Too often we abuse our eyes with poor light. The amount of light on the reading surface should be the same as that which is in the room! This means that the room lights should be turned on, not off, when we watch TV, read or work on the computer. Reading can be just as irritating if the material is too close or too far away. The center of the computer monitor should be at eye-level as one peers horizontally not with the head facing downward, as is often the case. The late Dr. Joseph Janse, a leader in chiropractic research, founder of the Council on Chiropractic Education and past president of my alma mater, was instrumental in correlating eyestrain to headache.

Read more about this topic at www.DrSaracino.com:
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Roger Rabbit Medical Mishaps

Minutes hang like hours in a doctor’s waiting room. Worse yet is when our anticipation is met with a hurried exam. Isn’t it frustrating to leave with important questions unanswered?
Walt Disney productions created a parody on medical care titled “Tummy Trouble”. It featured Roger Rabbit who was boosted to stardom in the movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” An infant whom roger is babysitting accidentally swallows one of his rattles. The child is taken to the hospital, but Roger is misdiagnosed as having ‘tummy trouble’! The abandoned baby roams the hallways while Roger is rushed to surgery. Roger’s operation is halted by the lunch whistle, but he is not out of danger because the infant crawls into the operating room and unwittingly activates an atom smasher! Roger saves himself and the infant by eluding the deadly ray and surviving other life threatening incidences. No doubt, the cartoon addresses some of the shortcomings of today’s health care system.

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Performing Arts Experiences

Practicing next to a dinner theater for eighteen years has allowed me to develop skills in treating performing artists and their specific injuries, i.e., singers’ jaws, necks and throats, dancers’ backs and legs, etc.
Among many other experiences, I have been invited to speak and advise dancers of the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow and the cast of the 1996-97 New York musical Victor Victoria. I toured Europe in 1991 with the David Parsons Dance Company, a modern dance ensemble that appears biannually at the Annenberg Center in Philadelphia. These outside-of-the-office performing arts highlights have been most rewarding. Not only have these activities gotten me involved with some of the most talented and appreciative people, but they have allowed me to give back to a community which has so generously given to me. All of the performing and fine arts in America struggle to survive because they compete with television, movies, sports and popular music.

Read more about this topic at www.DrSaracino.com:
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Dr. Saracino’s Path to Chiropractic Neurology and the Performing Arts

 (In September 2008 the American Chiropractic Association interviewed Dr. Saracino and published a shorter version (seen at the “Doctor’s Media” navigational link) in the Journal of the ACA.

 Chiropractic Neurologist relies on education and professionalism.   A curiosity about nutrition as a youngster and sports participation as a teen put Mark Saracino, DC, DACAN of King of Prussia, Pa., on the path to becoming a chiropractic neurologist. As a child, he noticed the difference that eating healthy food, back-rub exchanges with an older brother and regular sports activities made in the way he felt. This influenced his use of massage and exercise therapies in practice. Before pursuing machine technology and the beginnings of mechanical engineering he discovered the benefits of taking large dosages of vitamin C to treat and prevent colds.    

Read more about this topic at www.DrSaracino.com:
http://www.drsaracino.com/chiropractic-neurology-health-articles.html
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Curbing Health Costs – No Fault to Holistic Doctors!

Most know that medical bills are escalating faster than the cost-of-living and inflation, but few know that our tax dollars are contributing to the upward spiral. Government subsidies (free money) and low-interest loans continue to be given for inflationary purchases of costly diagnostic/therapeutic equipment, redundant research projects and unnecessary expansion of health care facilities. Recent studies have found that most communities are oversupplied with MRI and radiation therapy equipment, as an example. Research grants are often distributed without a coordination plan, causing repetition of elaborate and invasive procedures. Holistic and preventative ones are usually not emphasized. Since most of our health care dollars are spent after age 65, because of chronic degenerative diseases, more research on “how we live here and now” should be awarded to reduce costs in the long run. Although the numbers of patient stays in hospitals are decreasing, beds continue to be built.

Read more about this topic at www.DrSaracino.com:
http://www.drsaracino.com/chiropractic-neurology-health-articles.html
I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Bolshoi Ballet Guest Lecture

As a former board member for 18 years of the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, a student-professional dance company, I had the opportunity to work with talented dancers from around the world. One such person is Ilze Liepa, principal dancer for the Bolshoi Ballet and Russian movie actress. The Moscow Company has been heralded as the finest dance troupe in the world. Responding to her invitations, I attended dance classes and spoke to her colleagues at the Bolshoi Theatre about nutrition, strength training and back pain. In September of 1994, I also traveled to recently popularized Yekaterinburg, the City of Katherine The Great near Siberia. Remember the legendary Russian Czarist couple Nicholas and Alexandria? I held a similar discussion with their dance company, The State Ballet Theater.

Read more about this topic at www.DrSaracino.com:
http://www.drsaracino.com/chiropractic-neurology-health-articles.html
I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Ballerina Interview

Lisa Sunstrom, former principal dancer for the Pennsylvania Ballet and I were asked to assist with the first Annual Benefit Dance Concert for the AIDS Foundation of Philadelphia, which was produced at the Academy of Music. I treated some of the dancers and Lisa performed at the event.   She is a strong proponent for good health and chiropractic. Her are some of her thoughts you may find interesting.

Read more about this topic at www.DrSaracino.com:
http://www.drsaracino.com/chiropractic-neurology-health-articles.html
I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Water – Essential for Life and Health

Warm weather causes increased perspiration which requires the ingestion of more fluids, none of which is as beneficial as water. The replenishment of electrolytes, small substances found in fluids essential in preventing dehydration, is just as important. Gatorade is the most recognized and one of the best electrolyte replenishment drinks, and if you ever tasted it it has a light sweet flavor.
Likewise, natural fruit juices (excluding orange and other citrus products, because of their acidity and low-nutrient contents) do just as well as Gatorade for most of us as our needs are not that great. Intense activities, which result in large amounts of perspiration, require Gatorade or a homemade mixture of two-thirds water and one-third fruit juice. At room temperature it is easiest to digest and least irritating for the esophagus and stomach. Also, one should not drink right after or before submersing in water.

Read more about this topic at www.DrSaracino.com:
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Electrolyte and Water Consumption

Electrolytes — Necessary Liquid Nutrients
Have you ever felt lightheaded or dizzy after enjoying the hot sun and then subsequently bloated after consuming large quantities of your favorite cold drink? Does it occur at the worst time — family cook-outs, friends’ parties, sporting events? The following tips may make your “fun in the sun” more enjoyable.
Long periods of perspiration deplete your body of fluids and electrolytes causing temporary mild dehydration. Electrolytes are small nutrients that are easily absorbed, but quickly depleted during perspiration. One should replenish electrolytes, which consist of mostly potassium and glucose, with a high quality sport drink such as Gatoraide or, better yet, a natural fruit juice mixed equally with water. Important as it is, water by itself contains no electrolytes and will not provide complete relief. We drink it excessively in an attempt to replace electrolytes, when it possess none, leaving us feeling bloated. Drink it slowly, at room temperature when the body cools and perspiration stops. Never drink when out of breath.
Water — For Life and Disease Prevention…

Read more about this topic at www.DrSaracino.com:
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The Importance of Breakfast

How many times have we heard that eating breakfast everyday is essential for good health? If Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, was correct when he advised “eat when hungry and drink when thirsty”, why then aren’t we hungry in the morning? Why is breakfast so important? majority of our daily tasks. We need food to start the day so that the gastrointestinal system (G-I) can provide energy before the body starts working. This is important because if nutrients are not available immediately for absorption, our bodies become stressed. instantaneously. If there is no food in the G-I, alternative sources are employed which process nutrients from storage more slowly and inefficiently. This often results in mood swings and late afternoon fatigue.

Read more about this topic at www.DrSaracino.com:
http://www.drsaracino.com/chiropractic-neurology-health-articles.html
I look forward to hearing from you soon.