Best Foods for Calcium

Nearly all literature review indicated that low bone mineral density (BMD) was a generalized phenomenon in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), and 20-38% associated with osteoporosis. "But the causes of osteoporosis or osteopenia in AIS remain undetermined" (Xin et. al., 2008).

Based on the concept of Chinese medicine studies, we need a balance diet in order to take care our bone. The best way will be maintained a vegetarian life style because animal foods belongs to acid foods, and the functions of calcium in our bone is to buffer the excess acid to keep the pH of the blood slightly alkaline. The more acidic food we consumes, the more calcium we need to used to keep our pH alkaline.    

Hence, what are the best foods for calcium? I have translated the chart I derived from a Taiwanese author as followings:

Source: 欧阳英，生机食疗DIY大全, Taiwan

Some of the foods might looks alien for you, but we used to have it in our Chinese dishes or herbs.  

References

Xin FL, Hai L, Zu DL & Li YD 2008, "Low bone mineral status in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis", Eur Spine J, 17:1431–1440

欧阳英，生机食疗DIY大全, Taiwan

Liver and Gallbladder Flush Method

Yesterday I have performed another round of liver and gallbladder flush after knowing that the possibility to get recover of my adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Although I felt unwell during the cleansing but if it can help me to recover, why not give it a try! At the end if it can not help to resolve my scoliosis problem, it still can improve my health and vitality.  

I have tried two cleansing methods before, one is based on Andreas Moritz method and another method was when I attended a workshop conducted by a Taiwanese's Chinese Doctor Ho Yung Ching. The difference is the products being used in liver and gallbladder flush. But both methods are also effective to flux out the gallstones.

Health kits from Ho's method

For Ho's method, we were given a kits which including nectar enzyme, cleansing enzyme, enzyme, bee pollen and spirulina tablet. For Moritz's method, I prepared 7 litters of organic apple juices and epsom salt (magnesium sulfate). Both methods are using 100% extra virgin olive oil and cool-pressed plus lemon juice, the difference is the capacity.  

For my personal experience, Ho's method is low with side effect but more expensive, whereas, Moritz's method had to be caution with few things in mind. First, you need to brush your teeth or rinse it with baking soda after drinking apple juices and epsom salt drink to prevent your teeth got damage by the apple juice's acid.

The epsom salt is with side effect, you have to use it with caution when you are in medical condition such as diabetes and kidney disease. And it is advise by the Moritz to do colon cleansing before and after liver and gallbladder flush. I found it difficult to perform colon hydrotherapy, therefore I substituted it with  drinking Kinohimitsu J'pan D'Tox Tea before and after to clean the "mucoid plaque" (some old, gluey, harden wastes in your colon and intestine). 

     

Relations of Liver & Gallbladder Flush with Scoliosis

You might be wondering what is the relationship between liver & gallbladder flush with scoliosis? Isn't it liver & gallbladder flush related to detoxify? How come it related with scoliosis? You will be surprised to find out their relationship. 

At first, I also can't related these two things together. I have done one time of liver & gallbladder flush this year but I do not know how it can help with my scoliosis. I happened to brought and read Andreas Moritz's book on "The Amazing Liver & Gallbladder Flush". In his book, Moritz told us that he suffered from few sickness and one of its are scoliosis. According to him, every time he performed liver and gallbladder flush, his scoliosis got improved and better after 12 times flush.

I was really surprise and eager to know more! And I would like to find out what is the rationale behind? The book is a bit technical, I only can explain what I understand, the rest you can read and understand yourself. But I believe it will be an alternative methods which it can help us.

According Moritz, "good bone health results from the sustained balance between the functions of osteoblast and osteoblast cells. Osteoblast functions as bone-forming cells, whereas osteoclasts are responsible for resorption of bone to maintain optimum shape".

My gallstones for the first flush

Gallstones in the liver will disturbed the bone cells to receive enough nourishment and thus slower the supply production of new bone tissue by osteoblasts. Osteoporosis happened because the growth of new bone cells can not keep pace with the depleted of old cells. Besides, "Rickets and Osteomalacia are diseases that affect the calcification process of bones, where the bones become soft, especially those of the lower limbs, which become bowed by the weight of the body".

Beside, bile is an important element in calcium absorption. Even though you have consumed plenty of calcium in food or through food supplements, the shortage of bile make it unable to absorb calcium effectively. And gallstones in the liver will disturbed bile to work effectively. I am not sure is that most of the scoliosis patients also suffered from low bone density? I not sure others, but I am the one. 

If this theory established, then I can understand why the sustainability of my scoliosis treatment is low and will easily back to square. For health purpose, I will try this method and go through this cleansing persistently and will let you know the effect later.

Introduction of Schroth Method

Schroth method is said to be an effective treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Numerous studies indicated the efficacy of this approach especially in improving the respiratory function, decreased in Cobb angle, pain reduction and cosmetic improvement.

The result of studies done by Weiss and friends was as follows (Fusco et al, 2011):

From the result above, we can observe that not every case was successfully. There have unchanged cases and worsened Cobb degrees. No details are being describe on the worsened case, therefore, I have no idea how many degrees it got worsened.

Schroth method was introduced by Katharina Schroth in 1920. The original concept of the programme was designed for patients with large curvatures exceeding 70° or 80°, especially main thoracic curves. From durations of three months, the inpatient programme was then shortening to six weeks. Whereas, for small and moderate curves, the latest development of ‘New Power Schroth’ as part of the Scoliologic™‘Best Practice’ programme are said to cater to these needs .

Source: Weiss

“The three-dimensional (3D) scoliosis treatment is based on the principles of kinesthetic and sensorimotor, and its goals are to facilitate correction of the asymmetric trunk and posture” (Hennes & Turnbull). The emphasis of Schroth method is on specific postural correction, correction of breathing patterns to correct the collapsed areas of the trunk and correction of postural perception in diary activities maintaining. Mirror monitoring plays an important role in the original Schroth programme, it allows patients to aware of their posture and synchronizing the corrective movement with the visual input.

At the beginning of the treatment, patients will be assessed by physicians using Schroth classification where individual exercise program will be assigned later. Patients will then exercise for 6 to 8 hours a day including individual and group exercise. Massage and psychological counseling is provided, as needed. 

Source: Weiss

References:

C Fusco, MD, F Zaina, MD, S Atanasio, PT, M Romano, PT, A Negrini, PT, and S Negrini, MD, 2011, Physical exercises in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: An updated systematic review, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 27(1):80–114, Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

Hennes A & Turnbull D, Rehabilitation in patients with spinal deformities: A description of the Schroth method.

Weiss HR, The method of Katharina Schroth - history, principles and current development, Scoliosis 2011, 6:17, http://www.scoliosisjournal.com/content/6/1/17

Borysov M & Borysov A, 2012, Scoliosis short-term rehabilitation (SSTR) according to ‘Best Practice’ standards - are the results repeatable? http://www.scoliosisjournal.com/content/7/1/1

Things to Avoid When You Have Scoliosis

It was advised by my Chinese treatment doctor that there are some activities or things we should avoid doing to prevent our scoliosis become worsen. The following advise is as follows:  

Wearing high-heels

This is the number one killer for us! Sorry, gals! Although it was sad to hear that, but do you know that wearing high heel shoes can put our posture imbalance. This is the first thing we should avoid to prevent our scoliosis become worsen. I myself had stopped wearing high heels for more than three years when I started my scoliosis treatment.  

Cross your legs

Most people like to cross their legs when they sit, where they will lay one of their leg above another. It looks sexier and effeminate. But crossing the legs will cause your hips' alignment running and put pressure to your spine. Other  risks link to leg crossing including blood flow poorer, varicose veins formation, and back pain incurred. Although I find it uncomfortable not to crossed my legs, but I overcome it by crossing my feet rather than leg which my doctor told me is ok.   

Soft bed and sofa

It is advise to change your soft bed mattress and sofa now if you have scoliosis and back problem. If possible, get yourself to sleep in a wooden bed is the best choice! Why? The hard mattress or bed will keep your center of gravity fixed and your posture will be in a balance state when you sleep. This will also benefit your internal organ to work effectively after a day rest.  

Soda drink

I was advised to stop drinking soda in my whole life. Everyone knows soda drink is bad for health and there are many health issues related to it. And the most important reason for scoliosis person to stop it because it is link to osteoporosis.  

Animal's Milk

Isn't it milk good for our bone and help to prevent osteoporosis? Yes, but not for animal's milk. The shocking news is drinking animal’s milk does not prevent osteoporosis, in fact it can lead to osteoporosis. For details you can visit my previous write up for the dark side of cow's milk article.

Lifting heavy objects with single hand

I believe everyone know this. Lifting heavy objects with single hand will cause your posture asymmetry. If possible, ask someone help for the heavy objects. If not, the proper way to lift heavy objects is to bend your knees with back straight and lift the object with both hands.

Mind over body

If you still remember the story of “The Prince and the Statue”, the prince with crooked back once called a most skillful sculptor to make him a straight back's statue of himself. The statue was put at the secret garden where the prince gazed it every morning, every noon and every evening.

Months and years passed, the rumors of the prince's back no longer crooked was spread throughout the country. The rumors came to the prince and he smile, in fact his back had become straight like the statue. It might be a novel and you will say that it wouldn't happen in real world.

But there are many cases that miracle seems to happen in the world. If you have the chance to watch or read "The Secret", you will remember the story of "Morris Goodman", he was paralyzed from neck down after plane crashed. But with strong mind that he believe he could walk again, daily visualization and physical therapy, he was able to walk out from the hospital.

The same go to us, not only we need to undergo physical therapy. But to have a strong MIND is most important for us, and whether do you believe that your back will become straight one day? How strong is your believe? How passion are you towards this? Can you visualize it? 

I have observed that I have difficulty to imagine a straight back bone whenever after I watched my figure in the mirror. I tried to eliminate the image of my scoliosis, but it was depth inside my mind. The image is strong and vivid. My emotion go up and down, once I felt merry and passion on my back became more straighten after the treatment, on the other hands, the feeling sunk when you looked at the mirror a few days after.

It is a long fighting journey to be embarked, and I understand. If I can overcome my emotion, this will be the gift for me.