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Allasso Chiropractic 2012 Wellness Challenge
March: "Think Green... and Eat it Too!"
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - InBusiness - Health Column - March 2012)

Congratulations to those of you who stepped up to our February Wellness Challenge "Water is Life"! Here at Allasso Chiropractic our first challenge was met with unwavering determination and for most, complete success! One thing struck this author as clear and evident, when patients were given the choice between living an extraordinary wellness lifestyle or one that was common, they realized there was nothing inspiring to themselves or their sphere of influence by being common ...read more

Allasso Chiropractic 2012 Wellness Challenge
February: "Water is Life"
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - InBusiness - Health Column - February 2012)

As many health coaches assume the role of travel agent, telling their clients where they should go even though they have never been there themselves, we, at Allasso Chiropractic are proud to serve our practice members as tour guides, taking them to new personally traveled destinations each month through our Wellness Challenge 2012. Every month from now until January 2013 we will be posing a new wellness challenge to inspire our practice members to live true wellness lifestyles ...read more

A New View of Health in 2012.
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - InBusiness - Health Column - January 2012)

When January comes around each year we get an opportunity; a chance to continue with the way things are or a chance to start anew. Many choose this symbolic time of year to extinguish old habits, thoughts, and patterns of living and recreate a more idealistic version of what their lives can be. This entails self-discovery, direction, and growth. Our passion is to create empowered individuals with the drive to change ...read more...

Oh Come On... It's Just a Little Stress.
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - InBusiness - Health Column - December 2011)

We are now in the middle of the Holiday season and along with the cheerful gatherings of families and friends, the odors of delectable feasts wafting from the kitchen, and the joyful celebrating in whatever way you choose, there is always someone who seems to show up around this season uninvited... stress. This month, we will explore why it is said that ...read more...

The Flu Shot: Get in Line or Pass?
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - InBusiness - Health Column - November 2011)

November is the time of year where you cannot drive more than two blocks down any main road without seeing a bright (Flu Shots Here) sign hailing you into their store. Have you ever taken a moment to really examine what the flu shot really is, or what is really in this concoction? Further, have you ever asked the question: ...read more...

Your Lifeline: Your Spine.
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - InBusiness - Health Column - October 2011)

October is spinal health awareness month and thus our article today will be devoted to what spinal health truly means and common misconceptions that new patients come to our office with regularly. Let us begin with an understanding of what it means to have a healthy spine and why it is so vital to your health and wellbeing to maintain one. ...read more...

The A, B, C's of ZZZ's
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - InBusiness - Health Column - September 2011)

Our bodies are programed to heal and grow each night while we sleep. Sleep is vital to our health and ideally we need 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted rest per night to not just function, but to be truly healthy. A key factor that determines whether we are optimally healing and growing during this time or halting these processes and maybe even injuring ourselves is the posture in which we sleep. Patients commonly ask me what is the best or ideal spinal posture in which to sleep so as to avoid "tweaking" their necks or waking up with raging headaches....read more...

Playing it Smart with Your Smart Phone
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - InBusiness - Health Column - July 2011)

We, as humans, are demanding. We demand our food to be cooked in one minute or less, we demand to travel from one coast of America to the other in less than five hours, and we demand instant access to limitless information anytime and anywhere we go. As we subject ourselves to an alarming amount of radiation in satisfying these demands, nothing is worse than the ever-growing radiation exposure we subject our children and ourselves to every day. Cellular phone usage has never been safe. Never. Yet their popularity grows each year finding their way into the hands of hundreds of thousands of new users. As we talk, text, face-chat, email, surf the net, game, schedule, and watch videos, for many, it is hard to imagine getting through one day or even one hour without cradling one of these little devices. Although many were eager and willing to believe early studies stating cell phones did not hold health risks, we now know, to the contrary, cell phone usage is directly linked to many irreversible serious health conditions, most notable being cancer....read more...

Preparing Your Feet for Barefoot Running
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Natural Awakenings Natural Health Magazine June 2011 Issue: www.naturalawakeningsmcma.com)

As Robillard states, barefoot running should be as easy as kicking off your shoes and hitting the road. In my practice, however, I have many patients who want to begin barefoot or minimalist running, but are skeptical and fear these shoes will make them more prone to injury.

I address their concerns by referring to Lieberman's study which demonstrates that modern running shoes tend to cause one to land first on their heel, which causes impact forces that are 7 times higher than the impact of those who forefoot run. "These impacts add up," states Lieberman, "since you strike the ground almost 1000 times per mile!" So, through years of repetitive stress caused by traditional running shoes, these small impacts put excessive stress on the joints of the feet and ankles, which causes misalignment and leads to (or exacerbates) greater problems when uncorrected, such as flat feet or ankle sprains. ...read more...

Beyond The Fizz
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - June 2011)

It is estimated that in 2000, 15 billion gallons of soda was sold in the United States alone and an average American is estimated to consume about 53 to 57 gallons of soda per year! Most everyone has a co-worker, friend, or family member who does not consume just one can per day, but several. Coincidentally, most people recognize that drinking soda is not exactly "good", however, they do not really understand the serious health risks involved either. Therefore, this month we review the major ingredients in this popular beverage as well as the health risks that accompany it. ...read more...

April Showers bring May Flowers and ... Ah Ah Ah Chooooo!
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - May 2011)

With spring now upon us, most of us are excited to get outdoors and run, bike, garden, or just enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. However, if you are one of 35 million Americans who suffer from coughing, sneezing, wheezing, or dry watery eyes this time of year, spring means... allergy season!

Although very "common" among many of us, allergies are not a "normal" reaction toward our outside environment. Allergies are the immune system's reaction to substances found in our external environment known as allergens, such as dander, pollen, mold, and dust. When these allergens enter our nasal passages or mouth, they interact with immune cells within our bodies. When this occurs, histamine and other allergic intermediaries are activated within our bloodstream. What is the result when one's immune system is chronically weak? The agony known as seasonal allergies. This month we offer various ways of overcoming the symptoms of seasonal allergies without popular over-the-counter medications. ...read more...

What Can We Learn From Three Little Pigs? Absolutely Everything.
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - April 2011)

It is a favorite story from our youth and many of you probably have read it more recently to your children. It is the story of the Three Little Pigs who built their houses, one out of hay, one out of sticks, and one out of brick and mortar. The first two, eager to throw up their homes in rickety and unsteady fashion, felt it was more important to find time to play their flute and fiddle, and exult about not being afraid of the big bad wolf. The third, however, decided to take his time, devote everything he had to build a sound foundation and strong brick home in which the big bad wolf could not harm him. In the end, the only house standing against the big bad wolf was of course the one belonging to the third pig who built his house of brick. ...read more...

Snack on this...
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - March 2011)

March has finally arrived and the smell of spring will soon be in the air. Although the worst of winter is behind us, we are all still experiencing cabin fever, especially when at work. With work stress and winter gloom, it seems like every time you pass by the break room, the donuts that Todd from accounting brought for the office or the brownies that Susan from HR brought in for her birthday look more and more tempting. Last spring and summer when you were on your "health kick" your will power was strong, but now as you are struggling to stay optimistic, it seems easier to give in. I am here to say STOP! STAY AWAY FROM TODD'S DONUTS! This month we will discuss various healthy alternatives that you can bring to work so that you are not sucked into the abyss of empty sugary/fatty snacks. ...read more...

2011 RESULT-lutions
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - February 2011)

The great American motivational speaker, Earl Nightingale, once said, "Happiness is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal or goal."

With the New Year now upon us, 2011 holds with it an opportunity for change in your life, career, family, and health. We are all well aware of the empty promises that many of us make each new year, the ones that pop and fizzle so fast that health clubs can expect a surge in collections come January 1st, but know that come April and May, the treadmills will be empty once more. So, what is it that makes some people successful, able to follow through on their goals and achievements time and time again, and others, just as I described before, full of good intentions but no results? Here are 7 steps that could help you meet your goals for the New Year and in time, have people asking you how you reach your goals so easily. ...read more...

You vs. Gravity - Giving YOU the edge
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - January 2011)

Gravity is always at play - whether you realize it or not. As true as this is of the apple that fell on Sir Isaac Newton's head, so to does it affect you, unless you consciously choose to act against it. Look around you right now. Take notice of your co-workers' posture as they are sucked into their computer monitors. Further, when they get up from their seats, take notice how their head is most probably still pitched forward (ear well in front of their shoulder when viewed from the side). Now, how many of these same coworkers complain of neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, upper back pain, or even getting colds or the flu regularly? Dare I say it; this may even be you? ...read more...

Caffeine: Your friend with a few dark secrets...
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - December 2010)

If you're like millions of Americans it's become your morning ritual; you get yourself dressed, you brush your teeth, you grab your freshly squeezed vegetable/fruit juice from the juicer and bolt out the door for work. No, that's not you? Let's try this again. If you are like millions of Americans your day does not begin without your morning joe, your caffeine boost, your cup of solace that you can rely on each morning. However, this friend you have known and loved for so long may not be your friend at all. If you decide to discontinue reading here I understand, but please hear me out.

Please allow me to take you inside your body after your cup of coffee is consumed. Caffeine acts as a stimulant to your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It acts by blocking a neurotransmitter called adenosine, which has a natural calming effect on the body. ...read more...

A Quick Fix At A High Price
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - November 2010)

If you are like millions of Americans today, you reach for over-the-counter painkillers on a daily or weekly basis. In fact many lunchrooms and vending machines sell Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) or Naproxen (Aleve/Naprosyn) to you, the Newton/Needham work force, along side snack foods and gum. These drugs, as well as others known as Cox-2 inhibitors Vioxx and Celebrex, are classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Despite the widespread popularity and supposed safe nature of NSAIDs, many serious risks have been identified, but never questioned by the unassuming public. One such risk from NSAID use was published in the December 1, 1998, issue of USA Today. ...read more...

Making the common cold... uncommon
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - October 2010)

It's that time of year again when the summer is slowly (or in New England rapidly) turning to fall and the brisk morning chill in the air is a welcome change. Thoughts of pumpkin lattes and hot cocoa stir your taste buds and everyone you meet greets you with the phrase, "I would shake your hand, but I've been blowing my nose and sneezing all day." Cold and flu season comes around like clockwork for most people this time of year and as business owners and employees you can't afford to miss a day of work over something so trivial as a cold or flu. Appropriately, the focus this month is not how to avoid the cold or flu (this is impossible unless you live in a bubble) but rather to train your body to become resistant to the cold or flu... naturally. ...read more...

Your mother was right...sit up straight!
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - InBusiness - Health Column - September 2010)

It is the middle of the night and you are awakened by the fire alarm sounding off... you smell smoke and discover your house is on fire! You have two options: Get yourself and your loved ones out and call the fire department or leap out of bed, run to the fire alarm, remove the batteries, and go back to sleep. What will you do? Most people, believe it or not, choose the second option. You see, if you are like 90% of the American workforce, you suffer from regular headaches, most common being tension headaches and migraines. Additionally, if you are like the majority of this 90%, you already have found an over-the-counter or prescription medication to temporarily take that headache away, fully accepting the fact that it will return once more, maybe tomorrow or maybe next week. But for now... whew! ...read more...

Please... take your hand off the burning stove!
By Dr. Robert Mirandola

(Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce - InBusiness - Health Column - June/July 2010)

The Latin meaning for "doctor" is "teacher" and accordingly, I seek to draw forth the truth or the reality from my patients on each visit to my clinic. My patients expect some type of metaphor, story, or medical research that makes them ponder their state of health and what they should expect from their actions.

Let me ask you a question, if you put your hand on a stove and took a pill or an injection to dull or mask the pain (but didn't take your hand off the burning stove) would your problem be resolved? The answer of course... is no. Let me explain. Your problem is not the pain but the fact that your hand is being scolded. Now, that is obvious. Right? Why is it, then, that when someone has a symptom of neck pain, back pain, sciatica, or carpal tunnel syndrome, the problem is said to be the pain and not some underlying cause of the pain? We take muscle relaxers, cortisone injections, pain relievers, etc. to ease the pain but the pain is your body screaming for help saying something is wrong - internally - now fix it! Don't cover it up. It's the simple idea of cause and effect - if I chase around an effect my whole life and not address the cause, will the effect ever be resolved? Again, the answer is no and you will spend a lot of time and money doing so. ...read more...