Vitamin D - Wow! The findings just keep getting better.

The results just keep coming in. Vitamin D is truly amazing.

Vitamin D (D3 or Cholecalciferol) actually isn't a vitamin. It more rightly should be considered a hormone. Like any other hormone deficiency in our body (thyroid, adrenal, pituitary etc) a lack of Vitamin D can be disastrous. As a matter of fact Vitamin D may well be the most ancient factor evolved by man to deal with his environment. We get it from sunlight.

We all know that the sun is life. Is it so crazy to think that this doesn't pertain to us as well? Over the last few decades, the sun has been demonized as something terribly bad for us. It wasn't always that way though. Before modern drug based medicine, doctors knew the value of sunshine and would regularly prescribe sunbathing as a way to cure any variety of ailments.

My how things have changed. Over the last few decades, the line has been to shun the sun because it causes cancer and early onset aging and skin damage. Some specialists in the field of Dermatology are now beginning to question this logic. Some even are noting the lack of research present at all to support this line of thought. Some are even starting to say that a lack of sun causes skin cancer (as well as many other types of cancers and health problems).

The recommendation now is to get 20-30 minutes of direct sun to skin exposure per day. Burning isn't good but it only takes a few minutes for our bodies to make what it needs to be effective. For those that don't get sun everyday, most of us, taking a supplement is needed. 5000 IU's per day is a good amount to take. After 6 months, have your doctor check your blood levels to see how you are faring. The goal is to have between 50 and 80 ng/dl. Numerous medical doctors are now starting to check these levels routinely. Your doctor will not be surprised by your request.

For all the information you ever wanted to know about Vitamin D check out www.vitamindcouncil.org

With all the research appearing, why don't we hear more about it? Well......Vitamin D can't be patented and it's dirt cheap. Hmmmmmm

Yours for better health,
Dr. Loughridge

I hope you get to heaven ten minutes before the devil knows you're dead.

Translated into Chiropractic - If I can keep you from wearing out till you're 100, you win!

In Chiropractic college we spent a lot of time on Chiropractic Philosophy. My previous blogs incorporate some of those discussions. It's true that we must function mechanically well for our spines, the nerves and the tissues they control to work well; ultimately leading to "health". I find that sometimes when discussing what Chiropractic is to patients, it helps to make analogies. I have come up with many. Comparing us to a machine is one of my favorites. Here goes......

This comparison philosophy is straightforward. Our spines and related muscles, ligaments and joints must function in proper relationship, much like a machine.


Machines must have all of their parts working properly in order to run smoothly without wearing. When this happens the machine runs well. It will last a long time, be more reliable and rust slower.


We are not all that different from this machine. If our vertebrae are in the best possible alignment and are able to move through their proper range of motion without impingement, we tend to have fewer spinal problems. Proper motion and function keep us running smoothly therefore minimizing pain and degenerative arthritis "rust" in the future.

Another reason to keep our spines working well is to insure that the spinal cord and nerves that run between our vertebrae are free and functioning normally. When this happens, we feel better and information running between our brain and body is transmitted properly; allowing all of our parts to work better. This leads to better health overall.


Sound too simple? I used to think it was also. Agreed, there are lot of other factors: injuries, genetics, conditioning, occupational hazards, obesity.....yada yada yada, the list goes on. But still, if you make your machine work as good as it reasonably can then you will feel as good as possible. Changing parts generally isn't an option. Medicine helps some with symptoms. Prevention is ultimately the way to go and Chiropractic focuses on just that.


Maybe I should make a new saying. "I hope you get to heaven ten minutes before the devil knows you've worn out"! ......or not.



To better health naturally,

Dr. Loughridge

Spring is in the air!

Spring is in the air ........ finally!!

Tis the season for flowers and grass ........ as well as the season for aches and pains.

Most neck and back problems do not require surgery or intensive therapy, but not taking care of them can lead to misery and problems in the future.

With today's large deductibles and shrinking coverage, conservative chiropractic care only makes sense. Why start with expensive orthopedic or neurologic evaluation when simple chiropractic adjustments generally do the trick? If your problem proves more serious, we can always refer you for further testing and make the appropriate referral if necessary.

At the Frisco Chiropractic Center, we pride ourselves on focusing on your problems, treating them in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner. Just taking medicine to mask the problem, can allow a more serious condition to form.

We have the abililty to diagnose, x-ray if necessary, and do treatment all in one facility.

We are also happy to see you in a timely fashion, without waiting days or weeks.

The clinic prides itself on straightforward care without gimmicks or fear tactics.

We also have fantastic REAL therapeutic massage therapists. You may not get your nails done with the massage, but we will get to the root of the problem.

Referrals are always appreciated. As always, if you send a new patient to the clinic, make sure they put you down as referring them and we will put a $10 credit on your account to use as you please.

Thanks for entrusting us with your musculoskeletal health care needs over the last 20 plus years.

Dr Loughridge
and the staff of Frisco Chiropractic Center

If I go to a Chiropractor,will I have to go forever?

A good many patients that come to my clinic have never been to a Chiropractor before. When I meet a patient for the first time, shake their hand and look into their eyes, I can sometimes see desperate anxiety lurking just beneath the surface. Often, they have been to numerous other doctors, undergone a variety of treatments and are still trying to find a better answer to their problem. Patients are generally sent by friends and family that are tired of seeing them suffer or they may have spent time on the Internet studying everything about Chiropractic and those doctors practicing in the area, before deciding on us.

I generally try to put them at ease by asking about any questions or concerns they may have. Once the subject is broached, most of them are more than willing to tell you just exactly what they are anxious about. Almost without exception, I am able to ease their fears and move forward helping them with their complaints. Over time, even the most stubborn patients not only have their health improved through Chiropractic but also become longtime friends.

However.....between the time of the first tenuous handshake and actual understanding, it can be interesting, challenging, heart warming and sometimes even humorous.

No matter how hard Chiropractors try to inform the public about the wonderful service we provide, it seems that some people still see us as an odd fringe profession. As a result, people come with all kinds of preconceived ideas. I have listed a few of the common concerns I have heard, as well as the paraphrased versions of my responses.

Patients will say.........


- Will it hurt? No more than you already do. At this clinic, we always start slow and easy, telling you everything we plan to do. The best part....no knives or needles.

- The sound of joints popping scares me. The sound isn't bones grinding or breaking....I promise. A joint is a capsule, completely enclosed. When you stretch a joint, it creates a vacuum, sucking in air and making a popping noise. Along with the noise, lubricant is pulled into the joint. The lubrication and alignment of the vertebral joint is what makes it work better. If it works better, it feels better and wears out slower.

- My doctor said Chiropractic treatments only work temporarily. This one has always puzzled me. Almost nothing we do for our health is permanent. Taking medicine, even though it can be necessary, isn't a permanent fix either. Exercise, hygiene and diet are all things that must be continuously maintained to insure a good quality of life. Chiropractic is good maintenance.

- People say Chiropractors think they can cure anything. Not true, but if your problem is related to spinal dysfunction, not much else will work better. And if that dysfunction causes pressure on the nerves that come through the spine and control other areas, you could feel pain just about anywhere.

- Once you go to a Chiropractor will you have to go forever? No, but let's say you had never brushed your teeth in your whole life, and then one day you picked up a toothbrush and tried it. Would you now say "Oh no, now I have to do this the rest of my life" or did you just find a better way? Chiropractic is kind of like that. You don't have to do it, but it feels good now and can help a whole lot in the future.

The longer I practice, the more amazed I become at just what can be done with Chiropractic adjustments. No, Chiropractors can't cure everything, but I think that conservative care should always be tried first. Like almost everything in our lives, maintenance is required. Our spine is no different. Take care of it and it will serve you for a lifetime. Your spine is important, it supports your whole body, allows you to move around and protects the nerves that run through it.

Do you have questions or concerns about Chiropractic. I would love to hear them all. Call us up and come by. Find out if Chiropractic can help you.

Yours for better health care naturally,

Dr. Flint

YOU healthcare........literally!

Modern western health care is truly amazing. We now have the ability to read volumes of information from our DNA. We can do microscopic surgeries to correct problems unheard of just a decade ago. All sorts of bacteria and viruses can be identified and drugs tailored to target them. Many one-in-a-million diseases and conditions have been studied and can now be controlled with specialized drugs or equipment. Almost everyday, reports come out with some new innovation or "cure" to some previously ominous problem. I am awed and have great respect for those pioneers that push the limits of knowledge, always seeking the answer to the next great dilemma.

With all of the high tech science appearing everyday, it is no surprise that most people feel like it's way above their heads to take care of themselves or their families. Medical doctors are societies brightest and most dedicated people on earth....right? How could we ever be able to know enough to even try and take care of our own health? It's not surprising that most people feel completely overwhelmed when it comes to health care.

When I was in chiropractic college, I had a professor that would always remind us "common things happen commonly"; meaning that the majority of ailments we would see in our practice would be the same things over and over. It's not to say that we should ignore the potential of "the bad stuff", but most of the health problems people experience today are due to things that are common and predictable. Humans have changed very little over the last centuries. The basics are still the same.

When it comes to ways we become ill there are just 3 major categories of dysfunction: mechanical, chemical and emotional.

The mechanical aspect is what my patients hear me discuss the most. We are human machines and must be tuned and lubed just like any other machine. When properly aligned, the machine runs smoothly and lasts as long as possible. Chiropractic adjustments, exercise, and good body ergonomics are the basics in dealing with our body the machine. Carrying extra body weight is also a major factor. Just a few excess pounds can have a very negative effect. When added to every step you take, it can age your back, knees and feet at an accelerated rate, causing your joints to wear down early with degenerative arthritis. The extra weight is also a stress on your heart, digestion and quality of life.

Chemistry consists of the air, food and water we take in. Eat real food in moderate portions is really all it takes. The author, Richard Passwater, had two simple rules - If it wasn't around in its present form 100 years ago, don't eat it - and.... Only eat foods on the perimeter of the grocery store. These two rules just about cover it all. Real fruits, vegetables, meats and grains are what we are designed to run on and they tend to not be found on your grocery isles. In this day and age, we need to add vitamins and minerals to our diet. To make it simple, start with a good digestible, high B vitamin content, multi-vitamin mineral tablet (women with iron, men without iron). Everyone should take an essential fatty acid (eg. fish oil) capsule. I also now think that most of us need to add vitamin D3 to our diet also. Once you have taken these for a while, you may need to tailor your supplements a little more to fit your specific weaknesses.

Emotional health is also extremely important. I truly feel that most of lifes emotional issues could be remedied if the mechanical and chemical aspects of our life were in check. If we feel better, we are better. If we are in better shape, we have a better outlook, are more productive and can participate in life. If we have good nutrients and vitamins in our system, our nervous system and organs work better allowing us to see the world as it is and focus on the positives. I have seen numerous cases where people were said to be depressed, anxious and mentally "ill" respond very well to proper nutrients. When the brain is healthy and happy, we see the world in the same way.

So many of the "common" problems we have could be greatly reduced if we follow the above hints. Problems like: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, degenerative arthritis, some mental issues, and even some cancers, could be greatly reduced without having to be the smartest person in the world. Eat real food in modest portions, take basic vitamins and minerals, be active.

Sound simple? Quite frankly, it really is. You do have the ability to greatly effect yours and your families health. YOU healthcare....go for it.

Growth Plates and Sports - The Weakest Link

In years past, sports were kid games. Kids gathered in vacant lots to play baseball and football. School teams existed but weren't taken nearly as seriously as today. Strengthening and conditioning usually consisted of "how many push ups and sit ups could you do". An exercise machine was a rusty bar and a few weights covered in dust in the corner. Sometimes they were even used but rarely taken seriously.



Today, strength training with weights has become all important. Field houses across the country have vast forests of shiny imposing machines designed to push human strength to the limit. Beginning in middle school (and sometimes earlier) kids begin to try and enhance their strength to become the biggest and baddest, generally with encouragement from coaches and parents. There are 15 year old kids out there that are stronger than most full grown men; able to lift amazing poundage. However, there is a catch.



The problem with loading our bodies with heavy weight at a young age is that the growth plates are still open and not solid bone. No matter how strong you are, you can't put heavy weight onto your skeleton and spine without the real potential of damaging these growth plates.



Growth Plates are what allow our skeleton to grow. Most of us have heard, for example, about the kid that broke his leg "at the growth plate" and now that leg is shorter than the other one. This can change the way bones mature and is a prime concern in juvenile fractures.



Growth Plates are the expandable actively growing regions within bones that are made of cartilage. In the long bones (like legs and arms) these plates are near the ends of the bones close to the joints. In other bones like the spine, pelvis and ankles, these growth areas tend to begin in small focal regions and slowly harden into bone while becoming larger. Once these plates grow together and disappeared, we quit getting bigger and the bones become generally stronger and harder; making damage less likely. Almost any growing bone therefore is susceptible to injury.



These cartilaginous growth areas are the underlying weakness in several types of sports type injuries when we are young. A common example is Osgood Slaughters knee. This is when there is damage to the growth plate of the Tibial Tuberosity. This is just below the knee cap on the front of the upper shin bone. This bony area is where the heavy tendons and ligaments from the large Quadratus Femoris (thigh) muscles or "Quads" attach. This bony attachment area on the upper shin has a growth plate behind. When a youngster overuses the thigh muscle, damage to this growth plate can occur. It is very painful and can limit activity until it becomes mature and fuses. If the damage is substantial it can leave this area enlarged and knobby; not too pretty if you are a young lady.



The spinal vertebrae also have growth plates and tend to mature and ossify around 18-20 years old. They are susceptible to damage up to that time. When youngsters load their spine with heavy weight bearing exercises: squats, over head presses, dead lifts and weighted lunges for example, the chances of damage to the spinal growth plates is real. The ends of the vertebrae above and below the discs can be compressed (like squeezing a marshmallow). The discs themselves can also be injured and inflamed. Damage of this nature tends to lead to scarring and inflexibility. Over time this damage accelerates degenerative arthritis. This becomes most apparent usually around 35-45 years old when we begin to have back problems and the x-rays show wearing that looks like someone decades older.



Don't get me wrong, exercise is critical and sports definitely build character. The benefits are too numerous to cover in this article. It's my opinion though, that we stay away from the heavy weights at a young age. There are many great exercises that can be done with our body weight; push ups, sit ups, running, pull ups and dips are all examples of excellent exercises to build strength and endurance without compromising growing bones.

When we are older and look fondly back on our High School sports days, it would be nice to not still be paying for damage we did off the field. It's possible to have fun without paying for it the rest of our lives.

Merry Christmas to patients, friends and future friends

We hope this blog finds you and yours healthy, happy and blessed.

As always, myself and the entire staff at the Frisco Chiropractic Center want to thank you for your continued confidence in allowing us to help with all your chiropractic needs. It is not a job we take lightly and will always do our utmost best to continue to earn the trust of your family, friends and co-workers.

This year has been a wild ride. The world is in tumultuous times and it seems difficult to decide the best way to insure that you and your family will be able to weather the storm until we find calmer waters.

Their are many options out there to aid in this search. Finding strength in our families and faith are always great ideas. Saving and spending wisely are also on the top of everyone's list. Staying healthy should also be a goal.

When we get sick, have pain or physical impairment, we become much less productive. We are less able to work, remain positive, or do a lot of chores ourselves; instead we have to hire them out at a higher cost than would otherwise be necessary. Being sick in itself is costly. Trips to the doctors, costs of medicines, and heaven forbid, some kind of surgical procedure are all likely if we become infirm. The best way to prevent loss of productivity and your hard earned money is to keep yourself in the best working order possible.

Most of the ways to keep ourselves healthy are common sense (even though most of us tend to ignore the obvious). It is very important that we put good nutrients into our body. Good proteins, fruits and vegetables are critical to good health. Adding a good basic regimen of vitamins, minerals and other supplements is also a great way to fill in the holes missing in our nutrition. Keeping ourselves strong and lean is also critical, making exercise and portion control paramount in our list of good habits. Crazy fad diets don't work. Eating good foods in moderate portions, over a long period of time does! Even that little bit of Blue Bell ice cream is ok after dinner, just in a smaller portion.

Another way to keep us healthy physically and with a strong immune system is to get regular chiropractic adjustments. I have always touted just how mechanical our bodies are, and like machines, we must also be well aligned and lubricated. Proper joint motion and position minizes wear and tear and keeps all of our systems working smoothly. Just like how doing all the recommended maintenence on our vehicles keeps them running smoothly, minimizes repairs and extends their life; we also require similar care.

Proper maintenence on our bodies throughout our life keeps us growing and working properly. Proper function keeps us healthy and strong, able to minimze injury and illness. In the long run, this keeps us more productive allowing us to enjoy and conquer all of lifes curves and twists.

At the Frisco Chiropractic Center, our goal is keeping people working better! If you ever have questions or concerns about you or your families health, feel free to contact the clinic. Or better yet, just come by.

Remember, Chiropractic works! and that's what counts.

Again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Dr. Loughridge and the Staff of the Frisco Chiropractic Clinic