How to Go Organic

Shopping for healthy food can often seem expensive. But Consumer Reports gives some helpful tips on how to find organic food, in particular, for less money. Check their information out here.

The Perfect Contest for Our Office

This will be fascinating to watch. A $10 million prize is being offered to the winner of a contest slated to transform the health of people in a small community. The winner will be chosen based on a "community index" of measures such as the improved ability to climb stairs, reduced emergency room visits and reduced health costs.

If you ask me, someone needs to send in the New Garden Medical and Wellness Center model!

Need A New Health Plan?

Consumer Reports Health has recently issued a report that gives some great warning signs to look for if you are in the market for a new health insurance carrier. Entitled "7 Signs a Health Plan Might Be Junk", this brief article gives some excellent advice on what to avoid. Many times, an "affordable" health plan ends up costing you more in the long run.

More and more people are finding that their health plans don't cover what they were led to believe they would. If you are in the market for a new plan, check out the article.

If you already have a policy, and are interested in care at our facility, know that at New Garden Medical and Wellness Center, we do our best to find out exactly what your plan covers before you are treated. There are often benefit restrictions in policies that are not known unless specifically asked. We want you to be as informed as possible in your options for health care.

Consumer Reports and Low Back Pain

Consumer reports recently did a survey of their readers to determine what worked best for the relief of low back pain. The results are not not surprising to us at New Garden!

The highest satisfaction rating came from people who visited a chiropractor or a physical therapist. And those who visited a physical therapist would have had to visit a medical doctor for a script!

There you have it! Visit New Garden Medical and Wellness Center, the place where those three professionals COMBINE their unique disciplines. The options for the treatment and management of low back pain are so numerous that they can be overwhelming. Don't give up. Go to the professionals that Consumer Reports readers have found highly satisfactory!

Visit Us at Healthy Kids Day!

The Kennett Area YMCA is hosting "Healthy Kids Day" on Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 10:00am to 1:00pm. This event will be held in downtown Kennett Square. There will be all sorts of things to do.

Plus! Bring your bike for safety checks and some free helmets. The Adventure Park opens at noon at 132 North Walnut Street.

This event is free and open to the community.

The Kennett Area YMCA is part of an association of 6 YMCAs throughout Chester County that are 100% focused on helping you achieve a healthy spirit, mind and body. Click here to visit their website.

Concerned About Weight? Drink This!

Water is the new wave!

In recent news, research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals that cutting back on sugary drinks has a bigger impact than cutting out solid foods. Many of the calories that we consume are liquid calories. This study shows that changing our habits of what we drink can have a positive effect on our health.

But cutting back calories in drinks isn't just for grown-ups! Other research shows that children drink an average of 235 "empty" calories in sweetened drinks each day.

Do yourself and your children a favor. Drink more water!

Pistachio Recall

Find information here about a pistachio recall by Setton Pistachio, over concers of a salmonella outbreak. This is a voluntary recall, initiated after Kraft Foods, Inc. told U.S. Health Regulators that it's Back To Nature trail mix was contaminated.

USA Today reports that Setton had been processing raw and roasted pistachios on the same production lines without adequate cleaning between uses, which furthered the contamination.

Pistachios are rich in proteins and vitamins, making them a nutritious snack when added in moderation to an otherwise healthy diet. There are a lot of manufacturere that do not use Setton Pistachios in their products.

Be wise about your health. For information about products that do not use Setton Pistachios, you can visit pistachiorecall.org. This website can also give you up-to-date information on the recall.

FDA Orders Unapproved Narcotics Off the Market

The government ordered 14 unapproved narcotic painkillers off the market Tuesday, prescription versions of potent morphine, hydromorphone and oxycodone. Questions and answers about the specifics of the action can be found at the FDA website.

A concerning thing about this action is that it is not a recall. While manufacturers have been ordered to stop producing and distributers have been ordered to stop selling, the current stock of these untested narcotics will remain on the pharmacy shelves until depleted.

The FDA has been clear that the safety of these untested drugs is unknown. They have also been clear that even the approved ones have lethal and addictive side effects.

If you are currently taking one of the painkillers that was taken off of the market, please contact your physician. And even if you've been taking an approved one, but are dissatified with the results, please contact us.

There are non-pharmaceutical alternatives to living a pain-free lifestyle, and we can help.