<img height="1" width="1" alt="" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=392500470927340&amp;ev=PixelInitialized">

Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson's Chronic Condition Natural Treatment Blog

Intentional musings of a unique Shelby Township Michigan Chiropractic Physician dedicated to helping people find solutions to improving their health by rooting out causes to chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, stubborn thyroid disorder symptoms, balance disorders, chronic knee & shoulder pain, migraines, sciatica, ADD/ADHD/ASD, back pain, peripheral neuropathy, gluten sensitivity and autoimmune disorders so they can Reclaim Their Life!

From the Desk of Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC.....

Say Goodbye to ADD/ADHD with Neuro Metabolic Therapy

Posted by Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC on Tue, Aug 30, 2011

The human brain is a complex organ, capable of incredible feats of brilliance and fueling subconscious fears and desires. Until recently, many in the medical profession ignored the role our brains play in our overall physical health. Instead, doctors treated the symptoms — pain, insomnia, intestinal distress, ADD — while ignoring the role our brains play in causing these symptoms, particularly for chronic conditions. A new generation of physicians, however, takes a new approach to treating chronic conditions working with patients to heal through the brain. These treatments, often referred to as brain-based therapy or Neuro Metabolic Therapy promise especially exciting breakthroughs for patients with chronic conditions, particularly those with ADD and ADHD.

The Basics
Brain Based Therapy and Neuro Metabolic Therapy recognize that the brain controls all the functions of our bodies. Without proper brain function, the body falters. When the brain works efficiently and functions normally, we have healthy bodies. External influences like allergies and stress or internal influences like emotions or energy imbalances can interfere with the brain's ability to function properly. When our brains run inefficiently, it can lead to chronic conditions like ADD and ADHD.

The medical profession has identified possible physiological causes of ADD and ADHD. They include chemical imbalances in the brain and the underdevelopment of the areas of the brain that control attention. But these "reasons" don't get to the why a chemical imbalance might occur. Brain Based Therapy, on the other hand, seeks to get to the root cause — the why — of the chronic condition.

How it Works
Brain Based Therapy, Johnson Neuro Metabolic Therapy and similar methods of treatment use a variety of approaches to figure out why a chronic condition is occurring. The therapy most often starts out with a comprehensive brain and nervous system exam. Physicians specializing in more holistic approaches to treating ADD and ADHD will also explore possible allergic causes or nutrient deficiencies through extensive testing. Foods like gluten, yeast, soy and casein can cause a person's immune system to attack the body (autoimmune) and cause a host of symptoms including pain, neurological problems and intestinal distress. These allergies and food sensitivities then often cause nutritional deficiencies that can be treated with specific nutritional supplements and dietary changes.

These holistic therapies also work with patients' bodies. People with ADD and ADHD respond particularly well to treatments involving specific rhythmic exercises (Interactive Metronome). Doctors may also incorporate energy work to reestablish a body's natural energy balance. Acupuncture works on this principal and has been incorporated into standard Western medical practices.

The Treatments
Practitioners of Brain Based Therapy and Neuro Metabolic Therapy work from a whole body perspective. These are not the only treatments, however. Similar treatments that physicians using Brain Based Therapy might also include Interactive Metronome approach. This approach to ADD and ADHD challenges patients to match a range foot and hand movements to a precise computer generated tone. This treatment teaches patients how to focus for longer periods of time, filter out internal distractions, and monitor both physical and mental actions at the same time.

Another therapy often incorporated into Brain Based Therapy by Dr. Karl Johnson, DC of Shelby Township, Michigan is Nambudripad's Allergy Eliminations Techniques or NAET. These techniques expose patients to energetic analogs of allergens or stressors and focus on improving the body's energy balance. It is believe that hidden allergies can block energy pathways leading to conditions like ADD and ADHD.

Heal Thyself
The human brain is a truly magnificent wonder. It can make us sick and it can heal us. Taking a comprehensive, whole body, brain based approach to treating chronic illness is a proven pathway to treating chronic illnesses, particularly ADD and ADHD. Rather than spending your life on Ritalin, which only addresses the symptoms of this chronic condition, get to the why of this neurological approach. Brain Based Therapy using Johnson Neuro Metabolic Therapy has restored the proper functioning of the brain is many patients and returned their body to an optimal state of health.

Read More

Topics: Dr Karl Johnson, autoimmune, ADD, ADHD, Johnson Neuro-Metabolic Therapy, brain based therapy, Interactive Metronome

Low Impact Exercises For Back Pain Relief

Posted by Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC on Mon, Aug 22, 2011

Often times patients with severe back pain or certain conditions, such as when bones are weakened or have swelling and inflammation of the joints or even muscle strain, it is nearly impossible to perform high impact exercises. Since maintaining good health, muscle structure and flexibility is crucial to preventing further issues, it is imperative that patients find activities they can perform safely.  Read the articles below and follow the links to the full article for more information on low impact exercises for back pain relief.

Read More

Topics: Dr Karl Johnson, low back pain, exercise, pain relief, low-impact aerobic

Why A Gluten Free Diet May Not Be Enough to Stop Inflammation

Posted by Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC on Tue, Aug 16, 2011

Adopting a gluten free diet has helped many people begin a healing process that will take years. Thanks in part to a recent surge in gluten sensitivity diagnoses and improved gluten free products, more and more people are starting down the path that will help them find relief for the chronic pain, inflammation, fatigue and intestinal distress they have suffered with for many years. However, a gluten free diet alone may not be enough to stop inflammation from occurring. People who have started a gluten free diet but who still experience inflammation and other symptoms should consider additional testing and dietary and lifestyle changes to address ongoing, chronic symptoms.

Why Do I Still Feel Bad?
Adopting a gluten free diet makes most people with a gluten sensitivity or other inflammatory diseases like Fibromyalgia and thyroid disorders feel better within a short time frame. Severe symptoms may begin to abate, energy will start to return and skin disorders like psoriasis may begin to clear. But living gluten free is usually not enough to completely avoid the inflammatory symptoms caused by gluten and its relatives.

This happens for several reasons. First, cross contamination of gluten free food is common and gluten can hide in a variety of foods people might not consider as having gluten such as sauces, sour cream and snack foods. Additionally, many foods that are similar to gluten react with the gluten antibody. An immune system already on the defense against gluten will treat these other foods the same way it treats the gluten peptide thus starting the cycle of inflammation all over again. Finally, there could be additional unidentified health concerns contributing to a body's inflammatory response.

Additional Testing
Medical tests are not one size fits all and often, people receive misinformation from the medical community because physicians simply ordered the wrong test. Proper testing has to go in depth and cover a wide range and breadth of issues to truly present a whole picture of a patient. Until recently, there was only one test used by the medical community to determine if people had a gluten sensitivity or not and this test was often wrong.

Thankfully, Cyrex Labs in Arizona developted several tests that are more sensitive and more accurate and that allow physicians to look further into a patient's gluten sensitivity. These tests include:

Read More

Topics: Dr Karl Johnson, autoimmune, Cyrex Labs, gluten, gluten free, inflammation

Gluten Intolerance Often Times Leads to Psoriasis and Eczema

Posted by Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC on Sun, Aug 14, 2011

Several recently published articles have confirmed a correlation between patients with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity and those who also suffer from psoriasis and eczema, and that gluten sensitivity runs in the family[1].  These studies finally bring to light something people who have chosen a gluten free lifestyle have known for years.  Skin disorders can be caused by gluten sensitivity and living a strict gluten free diet can alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis and eczema.  And, gluten sensitivity is often present in several members of the same family. 

Read More

Topics: Dr Karl Johnson, gluten, psoriasis, eczema, celiac, Drug-Free

The Link Between Celiac Disease and AutoImmune Thyroid Disease

Posted by Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC on Fri, Aug 12, 2011

The Link Between Celiac Disease and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

More and more patients are presenting with the symptoms of Celiac disease—loose and greasy bowel movements, abdominal or full-body discomfort, fatigue…but it’s only now that we’re beginning to discover the true nature of this intestinal autoimmune disorder, as well as its pivotal relationship with fibromyalgia and thyroid complications.

Interestingly, scientific research is pointing to the abnormal formation and residence of certain types of intestinal bacteria as a significant contributor to Celiac disease, fibromyalgia and thyroid disease. Normally, the presence of such bacteria in the digestive system is harmless…in fact, their contribution to digestive breakdown is often beneficial.  However, common intestinal bacteria also are known to produce a wide variety of toxins (bacterial lipopolysaccharides for example) and carcinogens that the body has a more difficult time excreting.  When this happens, the body begins to develop a negative autoimmune response to these internal pollutants, often opening the door for the onset of Celiac disease or various other autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto's.

As you may know, the thyroid is a small gland located in the anterior portion of the lower neck and is responsible for the creation and distribution of metabolic hormones. When the thyroid is underproducing or underexcreting, the result is hypothyroidism. Sufferers of this condition often deal with fatigue, cold intolerance and weight gain.  The contrary issue is an overactive thyroid, with symptoms ranging from heat sensitivity and excessive sweating to nervousness, fidgeting and weight loss. This condition is called hyperthyroidism. Both of these thyroid malfunctions may be the result of Celiac disease (also known as gluten intolerance).

I've often explained to patients and audiences about the fact that the contents of the gut are outside the body? The gut is a hollow tube that passes from the mouth to the anus. Anything that goes in the mouth and isn’t digested will pass right out the other end. This is, in fact, one of the most important functions of the gut: to prevent foreign substances from entering the body.

An additional important function of the gut is to host 70% of the immune tissue in the body. This portion of the immune system is collectively referred to as GALT, or gut-associated lymphoid tissue. The GALT comprises several types of lymphoid tissues that store immune cells, such as T & B lymphocytes, that carry out attacks and produce antibodies against antigens, molecules recognized by the immune system as potential threats.  Common antigens in sensitive individuals are bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), gluten and other undigested proteins that enter the blood stream through the "leaky gut"

Problems occur when either of these protective functions of the gut are compromised. When the intestinal barrier becomes permeable (i.e. “leaky gut syndrome”), large protein molecules escape into the bloodstream. Since these proteins don’t belong outside of the gut, the body mounts an immune response and attacks them. Studies show that these attacks play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s.

As these processes continue to take place in the body, the more likely it is that Celiac and thyroid disease sufferers are further punished by longer-term effects that the diseases have on their bodies. As less and less nutrients are digested because of the amplified auto immune response, symptoms of fibromyalgia (i.e. chronic pain and widespread fatigue) may begin to set in.  Fibromyalgia is often a misunderstood diagnosis, and there are widespread theories as to its root cause. However, evidence continues to mount proving that Celiac disease/gluten intolerance is a major culprit in interrupting some of the body’s major digestive and metabolic functions.  Fortunately, due to recent advances in testing, Johnson Chiropractic Neurology & Nutrition in Shelby Township, Michigan has the ability to test for leaky gut and sensitivity to gluten and other epitopes so months and years are not wasted looking for the reason for your suffering.

 Click me

Celiac Disease: A Precursor to Fibromyalgia and Thyroid Dysfunction

So what do we know for sure? As early as 2003, the Celiac Disease Center at the University of Chicago reported some startling numbers regarding the prevalence of Celiac disease in America. A fact sheet distributed by the center made the claim that Celiac disease affects approximately one percent of healthy, average Americans. That means as many as 3 million people in the United States are living with Celiac disease. Of those 3 million, more than 90 percent of sufferers remain undiagnosed, attributing their chronic pain, intestinal irritability and bowel issues to something other than Celiac disease, fibromyalgia or thyroid maladies.

Luckily, several advancements in these specific areas of digestive medicine have been made, and a variety of treatment and testing options are now available to those who want to address their pain. In today’s world, patients are required to take charge of their own health. Only with the guidance, support and knowledge of a medical team that understands the underlying issues can patients truly begin to experience the benefits of modern medicine. Johnson Chiropractic, Neurology & Nutrition can guide you to a new existence—one in which the sting of fibromyalgia and thyroid issues can be addressed or eliminated by first conquering what may be undiagnosed Celiac disease and the issues that so often accompany it.

Call us today and take your life back from the discomfort and distress of Celiac disease, fibromyalgia and thyroid complications.
 
Download Free Thyroid Report
Read More

Topics: Hypothyroidism, Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson DC, fibromyalgia, thyroid, celiac disease, autoimmune thyroid, leaky gut syndrome, fatigue, Hashimoto's diease

The Thyroid, Fibromyalgia and Lupus connection

Posted by Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC on Sun, Aug 07, 2011

Thyroid problems can often be found in those that also have been diagnosed with lupus or fibromyalgia. Lupus, fibromyalgia and thyroid problems share similar symptoms, and all are difficult to diagnosis from each other. It's hard when all one can tell a doctor that is that something is terribly wrong. To make matters worst, symptoms might change on a daily basis, and symptoms for all three illnesses can vary with patients. There does seem to be a connection with those getting diagnosed with one of these illnesses and having two of them, or lupus, fibromyalgia and thyroid problems.

Read More

Topics: Dr Karl Johnson, autoimmune, Dr. Aristo Vojdani, fibromyalgia, thyroid, lupus, Dr. Datis Kharrzian

Chronic Fatigue, Pain, Mood Swings and Brain Fog - Fix Me!

Posted by Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC on Sun, Aug 07, 2011

I’ve gotten emails and correspondence from patients who tell me they have an incredibly hard time relaxing due to pain and/or stress.  Some wandered aimlessly throughout the house experiencing pain and chronic fatigue while others have mood swings and brain fog.

Read More

Topics: Hypothyroidism, Dr Karl Johnson, gluten, fibromyalgia, fatigue, fibromyalgia treatment

STAY INFORMED - Sign Up For Dr. Johnson's Blog Updates

I Could Use Some Help With My Health

Call Dr. Johnson

586-731-8840

Follow Me

Latests Posts

Most Popular Posts

Reclaim Your Life Book 3D Reflect