Letter From the Publisher-Embrace Life

Letter from the Publisher
Embrace LIFE!
Kelly Milano, DC Student

As I look back at the five years I’ve spent on the campus of Life University, I’m still amazed at the changes that have taken place, the beauty of this campus and the opportunities I’ve experienced. As I walked across the catwalk a few weeks back after finishing up a meeting with Coach Barrett, I caught myself getting emotional that soon I won’t have meetings with executives, lunches with friends or drinks after a long hard day. At the same time, I won’t have midterms or finals to study for, long ten-hour days of classes or hoops to jump through.

My time at LIFE has been extraordinary! When I joined the campus in the spring of 2007, I had a goal to leave the school better than I found it. What that meant, I didn’t know, but I quickly found places to get involved and make a difference.

We each have the same experiences here at LIFE and I challenge you to embrace it. While you may have an issue with a teacher, it is how you deal with it inside you that makes the difference. Just about everyone on this campus will experience a failure in a Dr. Fox or Dr. Rigby class, difficulty scheduling physicals in clinic, missed appointments, and disappointments of many types. You WILL continue to see your tuition go up, your parking spots be difficult to obtain and your financial aid messed with. It is how you choose to view each of these experiences that will dictate your experience at LIFE. When you become the victim, believing the school is only out to make money or to harm its students in some way, your experience will be a difficult, unpleasant one. If you choose to view it as a learning and growing experience, choosing to find a way to better yourself in the process, you will grow and thrive on the campus and become a person of true influence.

I’ve heard many of my peers say I’m too quick to justify the actions of the school or that I need to stop being such a big cheerleader. It’s not that I have agreed with every decision made, and in fact, MANY have infuriated me to my core, but in understanding these actions were not taken out of spite but were made with a bigger picture and goal in mind, I was able to dig deeper to find the true meaning behind the decision that was made. As I’ve now taken all four parts of National Boards, I’ve been able to realize the reason classes are offered in the order they are and why teachers have remained in place despite their apparent high failure rates of students. I’ve come to see that getting angry about my failures is more revealing of my character. It was in understanding it was my inability to accurately and completely understand a concept, that I failed a test or a class, not the teacher’s inability (necessarily) to teach it. And I say this after ‘successfully’ having failed about six classes as well as 12^th quarter OSCE. While 20 students may fail a given class, 80 would pass it. The 80 likely won’t see the teacher as the ‘bad teacher’ the 20 who failed did. It was the same class, same teacher, same experience, but different outcome. It is our job while here to find out why we get the outcomes we do. It’s our job to become the best student, doctor and educator we can!

I encourage you to change your outlook and experience LIFE in all its fullness! Get involved in the opportunities offered on this campus. If you aren’t happy about the direction of the school or your education, get involved in student council, the curriculum or clinic committees or Vital Source, Student Ambassadors or PLI where students are working with administration to make a difference. I heard a recent graduate state that he didn’t enjoy his experience while at LIFE and it would seem he was a former ‘disgruntled student’ but when digging deeper into the conversation, it wasn’t the school he didn’t enjoy but the fact that he didn’t do more while here. He wasn’t incredibly involved and didn’t experience all that he could have while here. There are more clubs now than ever, more intramural and club sports, more sporting events to attend and more chance to be a leader. Embrace LIFE and this journey and create your story while you are here. We have a big mission and goal before us. It’s a noble calling and one that will likely have many challenges along the way. Learn to handle the challenges, disappointments, and frustrations while you are here so that when you graduate and join the ranks within the profession you are best capable of being the doctor you wish to be. I wish you all the best in the remainder of your schooling and pray you will come to value your time here in the same way that I have!

What if I Fail?

What If I Fail?
Becoming committed to the process
Carla Gibson, DC Student

As a third quarter DC student, I consider myself “new” to the DC program.  As a mother of three and someone who has worked in the corporate world and as a volunteer for several large organizations, the time I spend in classes and taking exams is relatively less stressful to me than raising children or coordinating events for large groups of people.   However, there is still some pressure to perform and a fear of failure to overcome.  As an undergraduate student, I had my share of failures. I probably set the record for taking and failing calculus, ultimately changing my major so I wouldn’t have to suffer through it a fourth time.  But despite the fact that I have had a little experience with failing, my first failure here at Life was emotional yet defining.

 My experiences with failure in the DC program have been on a small scale – a Gross Anatomy lab midterm, a Mo-Pal mini-practical and an Instrumentation lab practical. But I managed to redouble my efforts and pass all the classes I’ve taken.  However, even these small experiences of failure were intense for me, and I realize that they have produced more substantial personal growth and enhanced my commitment to the DC program more than the classes where I’ve been successful.  I started to ask other students what failure has meant to them.
At an average of $800 per class, failure is not only detrimental to the ego, it’s expensive.  Among the students I interviewed for this article, most wished to remain anonymous.  Though every class has its share of failures, some classes have a reputation for being difficult to pass.  Particularly the diagnosis and radiology classes came up again and again as a challenge to pass the first time.   Nathan Potter, 12^th quarter DC student, came to Life from a background in film.  “I was an artist.  Thinking ‘scientifically’ was a challenge for me.”  Despite this obstacle and taking each gross anatomy class twice, Potter found he passed the National Board exams with ease.  What was once as difficult to understand as a foreign language is now clear and familiar to him.  Like Potter, many of the students I spoke to have been able to overcome their failures, and have gone on to pass Boards and OSCE’s and, ultimately, to become great chiropractors.
The most important question that successful failers have to ask themselves is, “What is causing me to fail?” In my case, it was a lack of study skills.  Recalling information for a practical exam is very different from playing multiple guess on a written test.  I misjudged how much time and repetition it would take to do these tests well.  For other students, often life (not just LIFE) got in the way of their studies.  A family emergency, a stressful relationship or just a true lack of background in the subject contributed to their failure.  Do most students blame the instructor? Not usually. Most of the students I interviewed realized it was their failure, not the failure of the instructor.  In cases where the instructor was truly at fault, I found the teacher had usually been subsequently fired or reassigned.
Jonathan Via, DC, graduated from Life University in 2010.  He began his journey to his DC in 2001, first as an undergrad, then in the DC program.  He was at Life both prior to and following the accreditation issues and got to witness many changes in the school.  He began the DC program in the Fall of 2006, with the first class to start under the new curriculum.  During his school career, he had many opportunities to learn from his failures and believes they were a valuable part of his education. As a member of Delta Sigma Chi and president of the Chiropractic Philosophy club on campus, Dr. Via was very grounded in philosophy and felt like he was pursuing a calling, much more than just becoming a doctor.  After failing Spinal Anatomy, Dr. Via referred to his favorite ‘green book’ The Bigness of the Fellow Within and used the mantra he found in its pages, “I can. I will. I must!” to guide him.  Even when struggling with taking soft tissue radiology classes multiple times, once failing to pass a second time with a grade of 69.5, Dr. Via took it all in stride and believed that everything happened for a reason. He saw his failures as just pointing out the fact he was not ready, yet, to be a doctor.  Now, eighteen months into his practice in Pullman, WA, he is 50% of the way to achieving his initial practice goals, which he considers remarkable for a small business owner just starting out.   “School is a great preparation for practice. The failures help keep you humble. In practice, you need humility. It’s not about us.”  Dr. Via encourages students to appreciate the program for what it is and to realize that you will need to become a small business owner, community leader and volunteer to be successful in practice. All of these things take time and commitment, even when “life” gets in the way.

Experiencing failures during school, even though they may seem overwhelming and expensive at the time, might be the most valuable part of your education.  Dr. Via says, “All the successes in the world were one step away from being a failure. When you fail, you’re almost there.”
For me, failing was like the Universe asking me “Are you sure?”  I realized that even though I had completed the prerequisites, moved 600 miles from my family and completed the first quarter of the program, I still wasn’t fully committed to being here. On some level, staying was still optional.   Failing showed me that I needed to be fully present and completely committed to becoming a Chiropractor.
Have you failed a class or two? Has it made you question your commitment and your choice? Are you afraid to fail?  Of course, you’d rather not fail, but if you do, ask yourself what you’ve learned and how it can help you reach your goal.

Vibrams are Out, High Heels In

Vibrams Are Out, High Heels In
Clinic system dress code changes
Kelly Milano, DC Student

Beginning in the summer quarter, new dress code changes, developed and recommended by the Student Council’s Clinic Committee, will be implemented in the clinic system at LIFE. While most of the changes to the dress code may be minor, one change that continues to concern me involves Vibram’s 5 Finger shoes.  The CC-HOP (a.k.a the student clinic) banned them several quarters ago. However, the C-HOP (a.k.a. the outpatient clinic) had continued to allow them, as long as they were the more conservative styles of black or brown. According to the new rule, this type of footwear will no longer be acceptable in either clinic, despite their reputedly beneficial proprioceptive and postural effects on the body.  In my opinion, this is a mistake. According to the testimonials of individuals who have worn Vibrams, including myself, many report a large decrease in their low back complaints. As a chiropractic student, this is what I strive to do on a daily basis – reduce my patients’ pain complaints, realign their spines and bring them into optimal health. When I began wearing Vibram 5 Finger shoes, I began to notice that all the pain in my L4/L5 area was greatly diminished. As long as I wear my Vibrams, I am pain free. As soon as I begin to wear other shoes, I start to slowly notice the return of the pain in this area, ultimately leading to an antalgic posture to try to reduce the additional stress being placed on these vertebrae.
As chiropractors, we pursue an understanding of how posture affects our body and overall health. Thus, when we consider the importance of the biomechanics of the foot, it is easy to see how by simply allowing our feet the freedom to function as they were created to function, we could effect changes throughout our bodies. When we have a dropped arch, for instance, it can have an effect on the ankles, the knees, and ultimately into the hips and spine. Within these two feet are 52 bones, 66 joints, 40 muscles, ligaments, tendons and hundreds of proprioceptive and sensory receptors. The thousands of neurological receptors within the foot continually send important information to the brain regarding the type of surface the body is walking on, which signals alternative muscles to fire in response. According to Vibram’s website, “Actively stimulating these receptors improves balance, increases circulation, and enhances overall foot health. There are more bones in the feet than any other area of the human body with the exception of the hands. When our feet are confined in shoes, it’s as if we are placing them in casts. The toes, which are designed to evenly disperse the weight and force of our body and help us balance, are placed tightly together and not allowed the freedom of movement they were designed for. Eventually our toes lose their ability to move individually as the tiny muscles weaken and potentially atrophy. The muscles and ligaments that hold the arch up are so used to being supported by the arch of a shoe that without the shoe on our foot, the arch drops and results in flat feet

A foot in a normal shoe. Notice the angulation of the 1st metatarsal
as well as the position of the 5th. This leads to altered biomechanics through the
whole body and into the low back and spine.

Feet in Vibrams, showing a much more proper alingment of the toes.

As students, we are taught the importance of proper foot kinematics and the importance of adjusting and taping dropped arches to help offer support, but we continue to encourage shoes with ‘arch support’ instead of understanding the importance of creating and maintaining the health of our arches on our own, independent of the shoe’s support. Vibrams encourage the creation of proper foot biomechanics and arch development. Because the shoe does not have a strong arch support, it preserves the natural demands on

the musculature within the foot, allowing the body to strengthen the arch without additional support of a shoe or tape. New research is currently suggesting the importance of not putting young infants in ‘walking shoes’ as our mothers did to us. Not wearing shoes allows children just learning to walk to feel the floor underneath their feet, helping them to establish better balance as proper gait cycles and proprioception develop.¹ The reasoning is that a minimalist shoe will continue this process in the adult foot, as well.
Postural compensations are unavoidable while wearing shoes that elevate the heels and most shoes do this to an extent. Even ‘flats’ and men’s shoes have a heel on them and most tennis shoes have a thick pad in t

he back, again elevating the heel. These postural compensations and distortions are necessary to maintain balance when the heel is elevated off of the ground and the body weight pushed forward from the center of gravity. It’s part of the reason why, when we do postural analysis, some chiropractors have their patients to take off their shoes, as having shoes on will alter our findings. Chronic use of a heel often results in some degree of kyphosis in the lumbars and lordosis in the thoracics, thus leading to additional pain in the low- and mid-back.
While we, as students, understand the importance of maintaining a professional look in clinic, we also understand the importance of proper postural alignment throughout the body. We understand that being barefoot is the best option, but due to hygiene and safety issues, being barefoot in public is not acceptable. Those who have worn Vibrams in the clinic have found them to be a great teaching tool for our patients.
It is ironic that high heels are considered acceptable in clinic and but students are no longer allowed to wear shoes that improve our posture and benefit our body’s biomechanics.

The horrible positioning of a shoe in high heels. Notice the pressure and  put on the metatarsals.

1. Rossi WA, Children’s footwear: launching site for adult foot ills. Podiatry management 2002; 83-100.

Starbucks vs Plato

Starbucks vs. Plato II Go

Corporate is detrimental to school’s progress

Katherine McCarty, DC Student

Starbucks. Say the word and already mouths begin to water, so thirsty for that addictive drug we all know as coffee. Some can even smell if from a distance, following with our nose as if a siren were seducing us towards it. I have even been pulled into the waters for an ice cold Mocha Frappuccino! So what will happen to us all when a Starbucks is put into our Plato II Go?

I appreciate the Starbucks franchise for its delectable drinks and treats, but I do not think it belongs at Life University. Just on a title basis, how can a school of philosophy and art move from a to-go shop called Plato II Go, a name derived from a renowned philosopher, to Starbucks, a company whose marketing has been put in place to overcharge us for coffee. Even if the area will still technically be called Plato II Go, would it not be a lie if from within it a commercialized company became the (caffeine-accelerated) beating heart of our café? I see a movement here that does not sit well with my sense of the wholeness and vitality that seems to vibrate from the walls of this university. If a change must occur within Plato II Go, then shouldn’t it be toward the very lifestyle that we are taught to follow? A change toward fruit and vegetable smoothies, for example?

To put the biggest name in over-priced coffee marketing into our school is not going to give the school what it needs. Nor do we need to be spending close to five dollars for a coffee drink. In the academic scene, coffee drinks are sought after to stay awake and keep minds focused for late night studying. On that note, Starbucks would be a good idea, but not great. I do not think our school should go down the path of supporting more coffee for the health of our minds, but rather find other suitable means to create drinks that could be scientifically healthy for our study habits. That, at least would go more with the philosophy of our school.

Do not misunderstand me. If a Starbucks is put in the café of our school, you will see me in line for it. I do not argue that Starbucks should be eradicated from this planet, but rather our school should be progressive in its philosophy, and not just satisfy the popular addiction to coffee.

Oh, For the Love of Starbucks

Oh, For the Love of Starbucks
Soon to be a reality on LIFE’s Campus?
Kelly Milano, DC Student

Grande double caramel Frappuccino – no whip. Venti white chocolate Mocha. Decaf double tall, non-fat, extra-dry Cappuccino. Quad venti, skinny with whip, iced caramel Macchiato.  Starbucks has a language all its own, but one that true Starbucks fanatics know and speak fluently.

With the upcoming change-over in management for the Socrates Café also comes the possibility of a licensed Starbucks in Plato II Go. While many may question the school putting a Strabucks franchise in our café, it should be noted that Allmora Culinary, the new management company, is a licensed Starbucks franchise, having already set up Starbucks coffee shops in many of its locations. The creation of a Starbucks is part of what they offer, alongside their culinary expertise.
This new location on LIFE’s campus will be a fully operating Starbucks, complete with baskets of coffee beans, yogurt parfait, RAW bars, pastries, biscotti, Protein Bistro Boxes and Izze drinks. Currently, students are leaving campus to run to the nearest Starbucks (which is just off Windy Hill) just for their dose of caffeine. They are stopping on the way to school for their morning wake-up cup and a quick breakfast, then scrounging to find parking. Now, students will have the option of avoiding the crazy drive thru and get their morning Latte right here on campus, possibly leading to an easier time parking and a better chance of making it to class on time. And while doing this, students will be supporting the school and keeping the money on this campus, instead of Windy Hill Starbucks or Cobb Parkway Starbucks.
 As LIFE moves forward in creating this new venture on campus, Liz McGarey, General Manager for Allmora Culinary has stated that every single employee who works in the Socrates Café Starbucks will have undergone thorough Starbucks training. That means no more waiting while the one person who can make your specialty coffee request is tracked down or brought from Socrates to serve you. And no more trying to get your coffee from that little Starbucks vending machine, only to find out, after you have already swiped your card, that it doesn’t work and you are still without your kick of caffeine. Liz stated that she is open to considering longer hours, including possible weekend hours, for Plato II Go, if the need is there.
The name Plato II Go will not change. However you will see the Starbucks logo, as well. The new Starbucks location should open on July 9, the same day as the new Socrates management.

Obesity vs Portion Size

Obesity vs. Portion Size
Karen Ramirez de Arellano, Nutrition Program student

According to the researchers from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity is the epidemic of our time. Several factors contribute to the rise in obesity: genetic factors, dietary intake, and exercise activity. However, a lot of the focus is on inappropriate food intake – in other words “portion sizes” – perhaps because it is something we can control. The effect of over-consuming calories and more than doubled portion sizes is directly related to the rise in obesity.  In a study published by Healthy People 2010, there are 72 million obese adults in the United States. In 2010, more than 60 % of the nation was overweight, and this study estimated that if the current trend continues, then 50 % of the population would be obese by 2023.

Obesity is also on the top ten causes of death in the US based on Healthy People 2010 and 2020. This is due to obesity being linked to diseases like cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, hypertension, cancer, sleep apnea and other respiratory problems, and osteoarthritis (CDC).  On the other hand, for someone who struggles with weight, it can be very difficult to know how much to eat, since restaurants tend to over-serve us.

Below are tips to follow when eating out or dining in. It is easy to determine your position size using six easy portion measurement tricks.

The first one is that your fist or cupped hand equals approximately 1 cup. (A serving size of cereal, cooked pasta or rice, or raw vegetables or fruits is approximately 1/2 cup.)

The second “rule of thumb” is that a dollop the size of your thumb is approximately equal to 1 teaspoon of high fat foods like peanut butter.

Another good “thumb rule” is that a thumb-sized chunk is about 1 oz. cheese.

The fourth approximation: 1 “tennis ball” of fruit = 1 serving.

The fifth is that a chunk about the size of the palm of your hand is around 3 oz. of meat.

The sixth helpful hint is that a handful (1 to 2 oz.) of a good, wholesome snack food (nuts or dried fruits) makes a good portion.

Adapted fromNorth CarolinaSNAC

 

Just by following these steps, you can drastically change your diet and affect your weight. Avoid over-sizing at fast food restaurants and “all you can eat” places.  Developing healthy eating habits includes knowing the correct portions of foods we should eat. This can make the difference between someone who diets and someone who makes healthy changes.

Manipulation Under Anesthesia

Manipulation Under Anesthesia
An alternative route of service
Katherine McCarty, DC Student

The idea of chiropractic and medicine bestows upon healthcare a synergistic effect. Combined, their interactions lead to breakthroughs–literally through adhesions–but more metaphorically through a barrier of ideology. Some would say they should remain separate, while others consider their forces combined would equal a sum greater than their individual parts. Manipulation under anesthesia is a growing avenue which incorporates the two professions, one in which targets the everyday demand of relief and optimal health.

Dr. Scott Bertrand, D.C. works with a team of pain management professional who include anesthesiologists, medical doctors and many chiropractors around the United States. “Manipulation Under Anesthesia or MUA is an advanced procedure designed to optimize the ranges of motion in adhered or “frozen” joints,” Dr. Bertrand stated. He states that an MUA patient is defined as a patient who exhibits a restricted range of motion in any joint. This patient has failed to respond to a traditional regimen of six to eight weeks of conservative medical or chiropractic treatment. Adhesions create a large concern when it comes to physical movements of a person’s everyday lifestyle. They can develop in a matter of days following acute traumas, and if treated insufficiently, can lead to permanent restrictions.

A diagnosis of restrictions is determined during examination by reduced active and passive ranges of motion, and while the hope is that traditional therapy could reverse these restrictions, advanced methods such as MUA have been shown to break adhesions efficiently and painlessly. In other words, there is no longer conscious protective muscle guarding by the patient.  When the patient is in this relaxed state the restricted joint is taken through a series of painless maneuvers which releases any restrictive scar tissue.

Before MUA can even be considered for a person, they must be cleared by a medical doctor. Bertrand states that it is imperative that a series of diagnostic studies be performed to rule out any contraindication to the MUA procedure.  These studies include plain film x-rays, a recent MRI, bone density scans, and blood work. Once the patient has been cleared, MUA can be safely preformed.

How exactly is MUA performed?

The MUA procedure utilizes a series of specific maneuvers designed to release the joint from any restrictions that may have been caused by intra-articular or peri-articluar adhesions.  Dr. Bertrand states that this is accomplished by gently stretching the musculature of the involved joint while the patient is in a state of monitored sedation. “These maneuvers take into consideration the actions of all the musculature that either originates or terminates in or around the involved articulation,” states Bertrand.

While the practice of MUA has opinions both for and against it, the results speak for themselves. When MUA is performed in a surgical setting, followed by physical therapy to maintain recovery and minimize new adhesion development, a 70-90% recovery rate has been verified. MUA is beginning to grow nationwide, with its roots deep here in the Atlanta area with several doctors working within a surgical facility in southwest Atlanta.
As future chiropractors, we expect nothing in our careers than to serve others. While manipulating under drugs seems to some an unusual practice for chiropractors, sometimes it is the only pathway for people to experience optimal health and relief, which is, after all, what we strive to serve. Dr. Bertrand strongly feels, “If any joint on anybody is to be mobilized in any setting, shouldn’t chiropractors, as the joint mobilization experts, become the doctors of choice?”
I have been fortunate enough with my acquaintance of Dr. Bertrand to witness a session of an MUA procedure, and have seen the profound effects of it. Not only can the patient move his/her extremities with normal ranges of motion again, but I have been told by the patients that they have had a life changing experience. For further information, please visit the website at http://www.MUAhealth.com.

The Problem with Octagon

The Problem with the Octagon
The saga continues…
Kelly Milano, DC Student

For the past several years, LIFE has been hosting the Octagon Conference, which is described as a conference “seeking to create world-changing dialogue on health care and the human endeavor.” The Octagon seeks to bring forward some of the most current, up to date thinkers and doers of various topics of concern to chiropractic and create a dialogue amongst them regarding chiropractic and health care. Over the past couple of years, we’ve heard such amazing speakers as Bruce Lipton and Joe Dispenza discuss important topics such as vitalism and subluxation. Dr. Riekeman and Dr. Clum both opened up this year’s Octagon with great talks! We are honored to have both these men leading the way and fighting for subluxation-based chiropractic care. The concept of the Octagon and LIFE leading the way is a great one, and one we can all embrace.
The problem, however, is that year after year, students are told at the very last minute there will be mandatory attendance. This year’s Octagon was no different. Nine days before the conference, students received an email stating that all “senior level students” were required to be in attendance. The email, however, failed to take into account the numerous preplanned events, many of which were also taking place right here on this campus. There were two business classes taking place during that time, as well as Irene Gold Board Reviews, an SOT seminar, and a very inexpensive Activator seminar where many students were going to be earning their basic certification.
Classes or labs that only meet on Fridays were now at a disadvantage because they were missing the first two weeks of class, leaving eight weeks to accomplish ten weeks worth of learning.  Throw in that we will be missing time for Part Four Boards and now we are down to seven weeks of class time.
This last minute change put PEAK doctors in the position of not having their PEAK student in the office Thursday-Saturday because of mandatory attendance requirements and our Outreach Clinics having to find eleventh quarter students to fill in or close down all together. This is a huge disservice to the patients we serve who already missed last Friday due to the school closing for Good Friday, and being closed over the week-long break.
Many students felt they were being forced into attendance due to the school not selling enough tickets to the Octagon and needing to fill seats so the speakers had people to talk to. On Thursday, it would appear that this was the case. The entire front six rows were EMPTY! The speakers were in fact, talking to a front section of empty chairs as the 50 or so students who showed up were in the back. The 30 – 40 doctors in attendance were scattered around the room. Friday’s attendance seemed to be even smaller than Thursday. While we students were required to be there, we weren’t allowed to attend the banquet that followed. As the final speaker finished up, Dr. Clum presented him with a gift and announced that there would be a reception immediately following in the Socrates Café. FREE FOOD! That always attracts students!!  Nope…upon getting to the café, we were all turned away by the Student Life Force manning the gate. We were told that there was a mistake and that students weren’t invited. It was a huge slap in the face to feel as if we were needed to fill seats to help the University proverbially save face, however we weren’t trusted enough to intermingle with the Board of Trustees, supporters and doctors who were in attendance. It was later verified that this was a $75 dollar a head reception for Life Force doctors and the guest speakers for Octagon, and this is the reason students were not allowed to participate.
Over the years, student voices, including the Vital Source, have been raised to try to help the administration deal with this issue. Once again Vital Source is going to give some tips on how this can be better handled at next year’s Octagon, as we know that it will come around again and students will again be told it’s mandatory. Octagon has a great potential for both the school and students, but if it continues to be handled with such disregard to students, it will never be met with the excitement and passion that it could be met with!

1. Give the Octagon a course number, just as Assembly, clinic or any other class has.  This will make it appear more official.
2. Learn to ADVERTISE IT! Most of us didn’t even realized it was Octagon time again, for as we had not seen any information about it until we got the email stating it was mandatory.
3. Feel free to charge us a small fee to cover the food and meals we will be consuming, much as what was done back when we tried Lyceum.  However, make it that it is part of enrolling. When we had Lyceum, we would get our cost of living check and then a few weeks later have to write a check back to the school to cover the cost of Lyceum. Make it a class fee just as any other class. Once it has a course code on it, make it a .5 credit class, charge us the $143 for a half credit class and make it seem much more official.
4. And when all is said and done, don’t treat us as second-class citizens when it comes down to it.

To those students who skipped out on the entire thing, you really did miss out! There were some really good speakers who gave some good ideas and thoughts on how to build your business through the corporate world. You truly might be at a disadvantage over your peers who did go… and actually paid attention. While we may have been nothing more than seat fillers, there is something that can be gained from every situation. I know MY business will be a step ahead because of the connections I made and the tidbits of information that were received during this event, despite any lack of planning or regard for students by the faculty and administration of the Octagon.

 

Foods That Help Your Brain Study Smarter

Foods that Help Your Brain Study Smarter
Vianette Alvarado

Have you thought about eating foods that could make you smarter? What if I told you it can help with your studies?  Being a student at Life University and in the Nutrition Department enhanced my knowledge of foods good for the functioning of the nervous system. Most foods that are part of a healthy diet are known to help brain development, lower anxiety levels and are a good source of essential amino acids. Sadly, few people know about these advantages.

It all starts with breakfast; “Most college students have a routine of not eating breakfast,” said Carter Rogers in his article Nutrition, academic performance linked to a healthy morning meal. Experts such as Dr. Christina Economos warn that skipping breakfast can have negative consequences on weight and academic performance. It can help in every part of the day, as a snack, lunch, and even diner.

That being said, here are some food choices to make your day better. For starters, avocado with scrambled eggs provide both high protein and fats to build energy that will last the entire day. You can eat them any hour of the day. Secondly, fruits in general can help to give you enough energy to last the entire day. A good example is blueberries; they are said to be the best brain food on earth. They have been shown to improve learning ability and motor skills; also they are one of the most powerful anti-stress foods you can eat.

Another essential for your brain is the wild salmon, which contains Omega-3 fatty acids. They are linked to improved cognition and alertness, reduced risk of degenerative mental disease, as well as improved memory and mood, and reduced depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity. Salmon is a perfect dish for lunch or dinner.

In addition, there are different kinds of seeds, such as sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seed, and tahini. Seeds contain protein, helpful fats, and vitamin E, as well as stress-fighting antioxidants and important brain-boosting minerals like magnesium, also beneficial to the brain.  College students tend to underestimate the benefits of seeds, but their nutritional properties are countless.

Coffee serves as a good energy drink. Coffee contains fiber and has shown benefits to your brain, in addition to providing an energy boost. Try not to use sugar when you are drinking coffee, to avoid extra calories.  Coffee also should be used in moderate amounts due to the fact that caffeine is addictive and withdrawal effects can be a little overwhelming. In reasonable amounts, coffee can be very beneficial for everyday activities.

Furthermore, avoid eating or drinking foods that can drain your brain.  A vivid example is alcohol, which kills brain cells; can reduce brain function and cause energy loss. Avoid eating high amounts of corn syrup and sugar in order to avoid high caloric contents.  Also avoid nicotine, which is very addictive and dangerous for the health. Also remember to always eat light, as high carbohydrate meals will tend to make you sleepy and sluggish.

In conclusion, there are many healthy choices of foods that can help with brain development and functioning.  These foods can enhance the effectiveness of our study skills and intelligence, improve our concentration during class, exams and daily life activities. Healthy choices can also help with stress control and anxiety relief.  In addition, avoiding some foods and toxic habits will help you to succeed in life and take care of your body and health.

 

Vaccinate Your Child Naturally

Vaccinate your child naturally
Martha Kelly, Dietetics

Most women have been taught that breastfeeding is healthier than baby formula.  The problem is that we were never really taught why it is better.  I have heard ridiculous reasons given by women who chose not to breastfeed and it got my attention.  It seems that in this superficial world that we are currently living in, women have chosen to put their wants and needs before that of their child.

It is unfortunate but it is the reality that women aren’t asking questions or doing their research about the benefits.  I have heard women say “It will ruin the shape and size of my breasts,” that “It is painful (sometimes they bite) and there is soreness.”  News flash, breastfeeding does not cause sagging breasts.  It is usually due to the weight gain during pregnancy and heredity.   If it is painful then you may have the child in the wrong position.  There are plenty of informative resources out there that specialize in breastfeeding education.  Patience is the main point here because breastfeeding is a learned skill and practice makes perfect.

I have recently heard women claim “My breasts are just too small,” and the ever popular and sympathetic attempt “My husband will not be able to bond with the baby if I am the only one feeding him/her.”  Breast size has absolutely nothing to do with the production of milk.  God has provided women with the tools to feed and supply for her newborn child.  Although we are all built differently, it does not change how we provide for our young.  When it comes to bonding, feeding is not the only way to bond.  Breastfeeding is a moment where a woman experiences motherhood in a visible and tangible fashion.  It is a way for mother to bond with child but a father can create his own bond.  Any time that there is interaction with the baby there is a bond.  Diaper changing, playing and simply holding their child enables a father to bond in his own way.

The problem is that our society has sexualized the breast in such a way that some women have lost sight of the fact that they are working glands and not just for show.  We need to embrace the beautiful blessing of motherhood and make the attempt to breastfeed.  I don’t want to seem insensitive to women who have tried and were not able to breastfeed.  Women should not feel guilty if they are not able to breastfeed but they should feel guilty if they are not willing to try.  Here are a few facts, according to LaLeche League:

• Human milk provides the specific nutrients that babies need to grow, both in size and maturity and it raises children’s IQs.

• Breastfed babies have a decreased likelihood for allergies and dental caries. They also benefit from appropriate jaw, teeth and speech development as well as overall facial development. This means that people who were artificially fed may experience more trips to doctors and dentists.

• Breast milk contains immunities that are passed to your child. Breastfed children get sick less often. Breastfed children get fewer ear infections, childhood lymphomas, and diabetes it also lowers the risk of SIDS.
• Breastfeeding reduces your chance of getting breast cancer and your daughter’s chance of getting it as an adult.
• Breastfeeding is great for the environment. The production and consumption on formula uses a great deal of resources and produces a huge amount of waste.   It’s also free, always available, always at the right temperature, and never goes bad.
• Breast milk tastes great. Have you tasted formula? It’s awful. Try drinking an eight ounce glass of it before you give it to your baby.

As you can see the benefits outweigh most of the reasons or excuses not to breastfeed.  Let’s not forget that we as women have the perfect vaccination built into our breast milk, let’s vaccinate naturally.

ABCs of Going Gluten Free

The ABCs of Going Gluten Free
Laura Gerhart, Dietetics Student

It seems like everywhere you look these days, from grocery store shelves to restaurant menus, you see gluten-free substitutes for some of your favorite foods. Food manufacturers and restaurants often advertise their gluten-free foods as if they are all-around healthier options and worth the more expensive price. Celebrities openly discuss their gluten-free “detox” diets and how much better they feel and look since eliminating gluten. All of the hype surrounding gluten begs the question of whether eliminating it from your diet really offers any health perks for the average consumer. Is there really anything inherently healthier about a gluten-free diet?

Gluten is a type of protein present in many grains such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt. It is usually found in foods such as breads, pastas, pastries, cereals, and many other carbohydrate-rich products. Gluten is often used as a thickener in many foods to give them a denser or creamier texture, so it is often found in salad dressings, puddings, and cream-based sauces. Additionally, gluten can be hidden in many less suspecting healthy foods and listed on food labels under such names as “modified food starch” or “malt.”

People decide to go gluten-free for many reasons, most commonly due to an autoimmune condition called Celiac Disease, characterized by an intolerance to gluten that results in widespread inflammation, gastrointestinal problems, and poor vitamin and mineral absorption from intestinal damage. However, many individuals without Celiac disease, who suffer from similar gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming gluten but do not test positive for Celiac disease, can also benefit from reducing or eliminating their intake of gluten. This “grey area” of gluten sensitivity is often called “Gluten Intolerance” and is becoming more common.

Many people without any symptoms of gluten sensitivity have made the voluntary choice to become gluten-free due to a growing misconception that simply eliminating gluten can help them to lose weight or improve their health. While a gluten-free diet can indirectly result in weight loss due to a restrictive diet that eliminates numerous high-calorie, high-carbohydrate foods, cutting out gluten is not necessarily a recipe for weight loss. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics does not recognize eliminating gluten as a weight loss strategy or means of improving one’s health for the general public. Thus far, research has only proven that those with Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance can experience any real immediate health benefit from eliminating gluten from their diet. However, research is still underway to explore any direct connection between weight loss and reduced gluten consumption.

Eliminating gluten doesn’t seem to carry any dangers or risks and it could result in weight loss if used in a way that indirectly reduces one’s intake of simple carbohydrates or calories. But remember that going gluten-free doesn’t guarantee weight loss and could even cause a person to gain weight if he or she is not careful about the types of gluten-free substitutes they choose.

If you decide that you still want to try a gluten-free diet, be prepared to increase your food budget and become a sleuth at reading food labels. In most supermarkets, the gluten-free section offers a limited number of options for your basic breads, cereals, pastas, and snack foods. More specialized health food stores such as Whole Foods or Trader Joes will provide more options to choose from, but expect to pay a higher price.

Keep in mind that gluten-free doesn’t mean fat-free, calorie-free, or even healthy. Look closely at many of the alternatives available and you’ll likely find that many of the gluten-free foods are less nutritious than their standard whole-grain counterparts. Without gluten to bind food together, food manufacturers often use more fat and sugar to improve texture and make the product tastier.

Look for a reasonable carbohydrate content of 40g or less per serving, with at least 3g of fiber and some additional nutrients such as B vitamins, D vitamins, or iron. Also keep an eye on the calories per serving, since many common gluten-free flours such as rice or corn flour can really pack the calories without adding many nutrients. Choose more nutritious gluten-free flour options like Buckwheat, Almond, Coconut, Quinoa, or Millet that will fuel your body with the vitamins, minerals and fiber it needs. For more information, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website or speak with a registered dietitian.

SAVE Life: Student Association of Vaccine Education

SAVE Life: Student Association of Vaccine Education
New club on campus brings factual vaccine information to students
Jay Driscoll ‘Boston Jay,’ DC Student

Beginning next quarter, a new vaccine awareness group will be on campus. The goal of this group is to present factual information about vaccines so students can make informed, rational decisions about whether or not to vaccinate their children, themselves or their pets. Vaccines are one of the most highly debated, controversial, and personal topics in society today. More than 50% of American parents now question the safety and validity of vaccines. More chiropractors, medical doctors and other health care providers are stopping vaccinations, altering schedules or speaking out against them. A large group of chiropractors have been speaking out against them for decades, going back as far as DD and BJ Palmer. The vaccine court in American has paid out billions of dollars of taxpayers money to compensate families who children have either died or been permanently damaged by vaccines in the last 20 years. Countries around the world have recently stopped vaccine programs due to the immediate side effects people are incurring. Yet, American government agencies say they are safe, valid and necessary for the health of society. Documentaries and books are coming out quite regularly on this topic as this is a global discussion and every citizen on the planet needs to be involved in it. Especially considering forced vaccinations are being implemented in different states and talked about by the federal government.

During club times and meetings, there will be many different topics discussed including: vaccine ingredients, safety and validity, vaccine laws, exemptions, history of vaccinations, individual vaccines, new vaccines coming out, vaccine schedules, conflict of interest between vaccine makers and government agencies, recent headlines, where to go to get accurate information and immunology, and how vaccines are supposed to work. Expert speakers will be brought in to discuss these topics, information will be handed out, documentaries shown, and an open forum for discussion will be implemented so that all questions get answered. In addition, a vaccine symposium is being discussed where the top experts in the field are brought in to discuss these topics throughout a one day event. Look for us on Facebook soon. For more information contact Jay Driscoll “Boston Jay” at drjayd6@gmail.com or Sarah Faye Hamilton at shamilton531@student.life.edu.

 

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
An Editorial Perspective
Kelly Milano, Publisher

With each new addition of Vital Source that hits that stands, I sit and watch as the papers rapidly disappear. Students pick them up and read them over lunch or in class, (which I have to admit is a favorite for me to see!) It’s always exciting for our staff as we watch students grab the paper and open it up, looking for a specific author or a certain article they’ve heard about.

As journalists and writers, we put a lot of time into the paper. We look for news and stories we feel students are interested in – whether the latest parking lot fiascos, financial aid and registrations snafus or the most recent changes to the café staff and menu. We try to throw in some drama, some humor or some light hearted articles and work to make Vital Source appeal to all students on campus, not just the chiropractic students. We attempt to listen to what students are talking about, what fires them up or ticks them off, and follow up on it.

Often we ‘get it right’ and get the reaction we were hoping for in our articles and students are pleased. Vital Source is more popular now than it has been in the past and it is difficult to order enough papers every quarter to keep the stands full.

And yet, every quarter we also hear students mock our writers for their opinions or the news piece they wrote. A few professors have stood in front of their classes and made jokes about the paper or talk about the lack of ‘journalism.’ Several articles, including one about drugs on campus or affairs that have taken place in the student body, are still highly discussed on this campus. Articles such as “Squatters Rights” got a reaction, just as expected. And when Ms. Information writes for us, everyone listens! When we bring you restaurant reviews, we hope you will visit and enjoy them as much as we have. We are now starting a section where we will be highlighting various students in every paper to find out who they are, why they are here and some amazing things about them, in an attempt to better unite the student body.

It’s easy for students to mock something they aren’t part of. It’s easy to criticize the writers or joke about something that we ourselves wouldn’t do. We all have an opinion of what we want to see changed or bettered on campus, and it’s easy to sit and gripe and complain about it. It’s much more difficult to put that emotion, passion and complaint into action and actually step up and DO SOMETHING!

I encourage you to put your money where your mouth is! Instead of complaining about stuff on campus, step up and be the change you want to see. Instead of complaining about Vital Source and its writers you disagree with, submit the article YOU think students want to read. Write out the article about what YOU want to see changed on campus. Until you become that voice of change in a more positive forum, you are accomplishing nothing. By sitting and complaining in the café with a group of your peers, who are also complaining and not accomplishing anything significant except for patting you on the back and stroking your ego, you are wasting your time and energy. Be productive with that voice and opinion! DO SOMETHING!  Publisher.vs@gmail.com

Leave That Doggy in the Window

Leave That Doggy in the Window
Life Students are too Busy to Care for Canines
Michael Hollerbach UG Student

 

Perhaps you have moved away from your family and for the first time have your own place. Maybe you’re thinking, “Finally I can get that dog my parents would never let me have.” Maybe you’re in a new relationship and think, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a dog we could call our own?” Whatever the reason, please stop! Many students before you have made the same decision and regretted it. Think about the animal, think about what their needs are. Give it some time – there is no hurry.

It is true dogs are man’s best friend. They are very loyal and loving; they live to love and be loved. Trust me, I understand the desire to have a cute little puppy. For me there is no greater smell on this planet than puppy breath. I’m an avid dog lover. I’ve personally owned dogs most of my life and one day will own multiple dogs. I look forward to the day that I can pick a Great Dane puppy from a litter.

Being a student here is very demanding. Time management is a major issue and to be perfectly honest, I do not know many students that have the time to care for a new dog. Possibly a student only taking twelve credit hours or maybe upper quarter DC students who have a more flexible schedule may be able to give a dog the attention it deserves.

Having a new puppy is expensive and a lot of work. The housebreaking is a continuous job until the dog understands how to handle his business. The teething and chewing are constant. Many things inevitably get torn up or nibbled upon. Puppies demand all of your attention. If you like to study at home, good luck with a puppy around. They definitely don’t understand go lay down. If you think you can train them to spend time in a cage in another room while you study, think again. Young dogs have an amazing amount of perseverance yelping and whining until they get what they want. You might as well forget studying at home until they are about a year old.

Since my arrival here nearly two years ago I have known numerous people that have gotten a dog and have regretted the decision. They found out it took more time than they had to raise a puppy and thus had to take the dog to the pound. I have heard a number of different students expressing guilt because they feel bad they have to leave their dogs home alone so much. One such friend has his dog on medication for depression, he believes due to the dog’s loneliness. Just the other day a pre-DC student Anthony Umina told me how he left his dog home alone all day locked in his room and when he arrived home he found his room destroyed by the anxious dog. His two hundred dollar text book had been chewed as well as many clothes and pillows. “Yea there are times when me and my girlfriend feel guilty because our dog is left home alone so much,” said Anthony.

If you love dogs or cats there is an alternative. There are numerous homeless shelters in the area in need of volunteers. They allow you to come and go as you want and at some places you have the option of fostering cats and dogs at your convenience. You can take them into your home during breaks or when your schedule allows you to be home more. I volunteer at a place called Homeless Pets Foundation onGresham Rd.just a bit behind the Big Chicken. It is wonderful I get my doggy fix as well as some good exercise running the eager dogs. If would like more information or would like to volunteer you can contact them at 770-971-0100 or at http://www.homelesspets.com.

 

Where Have All the Tables Gone?

Where Have All The Tables Gone?
Students in search of a place to practice
Carley Edwards, DC Student

Students who have been at Life University long enough to remember when Joel’s was called Donnelly’s and the Socrates Cafe was a parking lot, may also remember there used to be adjusting tables scattered throughout the classrooms on campus. Over time, those tables slowly disappeared. Where did they go? Where can students go to practice set-ups? Why are there no open adjusting tables on a chiropractic campus?

When lab finals approach and its time to start practicing set-ups for orthopedic and visceral diagnosis, motion palpation and full spine technique, students begin the ultimate search for tables. When practicing the heart examination for visceral diagnosis, being able to gown the patient is part of the testing procedure. This can’t be done in the cafe or in the hallways. Students could opt for the study rooms in the library; however, lying on a wooden table is not only uncomfortable, but unsanitary as well. Sometimes it is possible to find a teacher willing to open a locked classroom for students to practice in, but rooms are not always available and instructors don’t typically have time outside of class to supervise.

Due to the rising awareness of this issue, Dr. Leslie King, Dean of the College of Chiropractic, has goals to open a couple of the module buildings for students to use in the near future. The rooms will have to be supervised, usually by an instructor. Dr. King hopes to have the rooms available during multiple time frames including lunch-breaks, evening hours, and weekends, in order to suit most students needs. The rooms may be available as early as next quarter.

Until the rooms are accessible, students can use room 109 in the Center for Chiropractic Education, but only when staffed by student employees of the Student Success Center. There are times when the room is being used for Supplemental Instruction because no other rooms are available, but there are open times when students can go in and practice. A schedule of the room availability is posted outside the door and is available on Life’s webpage to download.

Orthopedic, neurological, and visceral diagnosis as well as CLET have open lab times available in College of Undergraduate Studies (CUS) 106 on Mondays 5-7 pm and Saturdays 11-3 pm. Mopal I and II have open lab times in CUS 106 Tuesdays 11-1 and Saturdays 9-11.

Scientific Evidence of Intuition

Scientific Evidence of Intuition
David Traster, DC Student

Quantum physics has proven that cells can communicate information to each other instantaneously across the world, completely bypassing all rules about time and space.  We know to be true that one electron can be in two different locations, possibly even dimensions, at one time.  While science has been observing and recording these extraordinary truths about subatomic particles for the last one hundred years, there has yet to be a definitive statement made about the significance of these findings on living creatures.  If cells can function outside of the time/space continuum, and you and I are made up of cells, what truly are we capable of?

Intuition is defined as a process by which information, normally outside the range of cognitive processes, is immediately sensed and perceived in the body and mind as a certainty of knowledge.  The terms “gut feeling” and “listening to my heart” describe what people perceive as accessing information before an event that is so unique, that there does not seem a reasonable explanation based on prior experience for this advanced knowledge.  Most scientific studies view this ability as a function of unconscious information from forgotten experiences seeping into consciousness.  This viewpoint stems from the assumption that there is no separation between mind and brain, therefore perception and the mind are limited to the physical constraints of the brain.  However, new research on intuition has shown physiological responses to emotionally arousing stimulus close to five seconds before the stimulus occurred.  If that’s not wild enough, there is compelling evidence that the heart receives intuitive information more than one second before the brain does.  So how did researchers figure this all out?

Twenty-six participants were told they were in a study to test their response to different types of photographs.  They would be shown two rounds of 45 different photographs.  Thirty of these would be emotionally neutral photographs like landscapes, fruit and common household objects and 15 would be emotionally stimulating photographs, typically violent or sexual in nature.  The pictures were displayed in a computer-generated randomized order so neither the participants nor researches would know the order.  A 2:1 ratio was used to avoid physiologic habituation to the emotionally charged pictures.  Participants were instructed to press the mouse button when ready to begin each trial.  After the button press, the monitor remained blank for six seconds, after which the computer randomly selected a photo and displayed it for three seconds.  A blank screen followed for ten seconds before the participant went on to the next trial.  Data from 2340 trials were collected using skin conductance, electroencephalogram (EEG), and electrocardiogram (ECG).  No participant was aware of the study’s true purpose to investigate where and when the brain and body processes intuitive information.  ECG and EEG both showed significant differences in pre-stimulus physiological responses between the emotional and non-emotional photographs.  That is to say, that only before an emotional picture there was a physiological response close to five seconds before the pictures was displayed.  The emotional-neutral pictures did not have this same pre-stimulus response.

The brain responded to the emotionally arousing pictures 3.5 seconds before the picture was shown, 1.25 seconds after the heart.  Afferent activity from the heart sends information to the brain, most noticeably the frontocortical areas, a place involved in processing visceral afferent information as well as many other functions.  This neurological pathway may be connected to the “gut feeling” people have when they perceive intuitive information.  However, activity in the temporal, occipital and parietal lobes were also seen during emotionally driven pictures.  This evidence suggests a system wide process rather than one localized to a specific area of the brain.

So how does this relate to chiropractic you ask?  Chiropractors impact the nervous system in order to create a plasticity that promotes increased function and adaptability.  We now know that emotionally driven intuitive processes are interpreted through neural tissue in the heart 4.75 seconds before the event occurs and then processed in the central nervous system in the same manor as all other sensory information.  Therefore we, as chiropractors, have the ability to maximize our patients’ ability to make the correct choices in emotional and stressful situations, something we all can use a little extra help with.

McCraty, R., Atkinson, M., Bradley, R.  Electrophysiological Evidence of Intuition: Part1.
The Surprising Role of the Heart.  Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 10(1); 133-142, 2004.
McCraty, R., Atkinson, M., Bradley, R.  Electrophysiological Evidence of Intuition: Part 2.
A System-Wide Process?  Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 10(2); 325-335, 2004.

The Number One Killer on Campus

The Number One Killer on Campus?
Or So It Appears…
Kelly Milano, DC Student

While the statistics tell us the number one killer in the United States is heart disease or cancer, it seems that Life University students have a different idea. Apparently, on this campus, the number one killer is something we all do every day. We do it in the hallways, in the gathering areas outside, and on the trails in the woods. What is this potentially dangerous habit? From the way many students are reacting, it’s WALKING!
It seems that from quarter to quarter one issue raises more anger and frustration among students than any other issue on campus and that issue relates to parking. Students continue to complain about not being able to find a spot, about having to drive around for 20 minutes before finding anything, about students parking illegally or speeding through the lots. They complain about having to walk from the parking garage or from the police station or across the catwalk from the SHS Building. Recently, students are seeing an increase in aggression in the parking lots as well. Students are seen screaming at each other over parking spaces, flipping each other off as they pass, screaming and harassing the police officers, screaming obscenities out the windows and recently a student intentionally backed into another student’s car!
On the Student Council Facebook page, students have been incredibly vocal about this subject. Many feel the school should have an open parking policy where NO ONE has a reserved spot.  Teachers, students, faculty and administration would all park wherever there is an open spot, regardless of where those spots are.
Up to this point the school has taken a low stance on the issue, believing that we are adults and in a graduate school program and that eventually we’ll work together and figure it out. As one student commented, “If we can’t fix this parking issue as a community, how do ANY of us plan on fixing Chiropractic?” The school and police department are realizing, however, this is not the case and that students aren’t going to be able to solve this on their own. Student Council recently posted on their Facebook page that the school was taking a new “Zero Tolerance Policy” on students parking illegally on campus. When questioned, Chief Anderson, Chief of Police, stated that the schools current parking policies are still in effect as it relates to the warning, ticket, and tow.  However, changes have come regarding any student parked in a reserved spot. He states, “Vehicles may be towed immediately depending on safety and hazardous conditions or parking in reserved parking spaces.” So, what are these spots? According to Rachel Stockwell, Student Council President these spots would include the President and VP spots in front of CHOP and Sports Health Sciences building, VIP parking, Student Council and Student Ambassador spots and the spots in front of the Treehouse reserved for campus tours during certain hours of the day.  A student who parks in these spots will be immediately towed. No warning and no ticket. Count this your warning!
Chief Anderson was asked about faculty or Life Village Retreat residents parking in yellow spaces reserved for the commuter students.  He responded with “Life Village Retreat and Commons residents must park in their assigned space.” He continued, “Between the hours of 5:00pm and 6:00am, all students may park in staff/faculty spaces not reserved by sign, marking or other device.” This means that all of the above mentioned spots as well as the carpool spots are still off limits for most students. He continued “Faculty/Staff are subject to the same University policy regarding violations.” What this means is that if you see a faculty member parking in a student spot, feel free to contact the police department and wait until they get there to ensure that they receive the same warning/ticket/tow that you as a student would!
While students continue to complain, most not having any real solutions, many students have given great ideas that appear to have gone unnoticed. Some of these ideas include having the shuttles drive in opposite directions. By doing this, you would get on the shuttle that is the quickest route to your destination. If you are going from “C Building” to CHOP, you currently have to ride the entire loop. This causes problems if a professor runs over time and a patient is waiting. If a student is going from near the police station to B building, the loop is 15 minutes! By having the buses go opposite, you know that your time on the bus would be held to approximately 5 minutes. The overall wait time for the appropriate shuttle would increase however, as now there is only one shuttle going in your direction.
Another idea is to have gated arms at the entrance for the faculty parking. This would keep all students from parking in this area. The faculty members would simply swipe their card for entrance into the area. Currently several students park in this area daily and get away with it because of having no sticker, or a car still registered to a former staff member.
One big issue that needs to be addressed is the parking garage being full. When a student is looking for a parking spot and drives all the way to the roof, only to find it full, it often leads to speeding and reckless driving as the student comes racing back down, full of frustration. Having a monitoring system of some sort to signify when the lot is full would be a great asset to students.
Another student suggested increasing the number of trips to the local apartment complexes. While this has been tested in the past and was not beneficial at the time, it may be time to revisit this issue as our student population continues to grow. Having a trip at the top of each hour might prove to decrease traffic on campus and help calm some of the parking concerns.
Recently a parking committee was created to better help to address this ongoing issue. If the committee, which consists of both faculty and students, would listen to some of the ideas of the student body, they may find that there really are some simple solutions that would appease the masses.
In the meantime, the parking issue isn’t going away. It’s time to put on your tennis shoes and take up a new habit that really isn’t going to kill you. It’s time to walk!

Transition and Cleansing

Transition and Cleansing
Jessica Day, DC Student

It is such an exciting time! We welcome a new quarter and new students as the leaves change for Autumn. The change in season is a wonderful time to focus on cleansing from within. Nature is progressing through a transition of cleansing and because we are connected to nature, the process of cleansing within us occurs with ease during this time. Cleansing is the process of making clean, removing foreign particles or pollution to make pure. Cleansing within oneself removes thoughts or toxins that pollute and interfere with purity. Cleansing can take place physically, mentally, and emotionally. Innate processes of personal healing and cleansing occur from above, down, inside, out.  As the leaves become vibrant and fall to clean the trees in preparation for growth, we can follow by removing pollution that limits our beauty and growth. Cleansing gives innate processes room to heal as they were intended, and allows growth. It allows us to remove what we’re not, providing freedom to be who we are. Connection to a cleansed, healed place prepares us for improving ourselves daily and serving the world.  Once we begin, our possibilities for healing, strength, and power continue to grow.

Change and transition in healing provide a platform to focus on inner strength and power. As the world around us changes color and cleanses to prepare for winter and new growth it is perfect to focus on being pure with our thoughts, words and actions. A focus on cleansing allows us to remove current barriers that cause interference in our expression of our personal mission, goals and intention. Purity in thoughts, words and actions provides powerful opportunity and opens space in our lives to welcome all that is offered. Reconnecting to our passion and mission through cleansing and healing provides power to create our future as we empower others to do the same. As we remove what interferes with our expression, we allow ourselves freedom to be, and harmony in our lives.

Reconnecting to our mission and intention provides a sturdy foundation for setting new goals. As we work towards these goals, we have the opportunity to celebrate gratitude for living in a free society that allows all of us to set and achieve goals simultaneously without interfering with the goals or achievement of another.  Celebrating our gratitude and accomplishments, no matter how small, allows us to see and continually desire progress for ourselves and others. As we see new opportunities in our own lives, we also become excited for opportunities presented in the lives of others.

The possibilities are endless, and can vary for each person. Reflect on the possibilities that resonate with you. Once the process begins, encouraging others comes with ease. Choose vocabulary that strongly expresses your mission. Use words that connect to you, and specific words to quantify your progress in your goals. Return borrowed items, have that long ignored conversation, consume clean food and exercise more often are some of the possibilities. Guidance to transition in ways that best serve you is provided during the process. Be aware of support you have for growth. To begin this season, I utilized the practice of yoga to focus on goals and clarity in expression. Some of my own specific actions included creating space for overlooked conversations and setting goals that express my mission. It is a continuous process that leads to freedom and harmony. Utilize resources and ideas that connect with you, and please create your own. While transition is daunting in ways, I found challenge serving me to grow and providing joy to connect to my mission.  Even if people use different methods for the process, they are able to encourage one another.

While transition can be daunting or uncertain, it provides opportunity to reconstruct a foundation. It can be exactly what we make of it, and influential in positive ways.  Pure connection to what we want to accomplish gives us space to serve in a dynamic way. What is yet to be discovered undoubtedly has power, and we can provide space to let it influence our lives. Along the way, we can find joy in accomplishment, growth, encouraging others, and celebrating all this world offers everyday!

Dancing Through Life

Dancing Through Life
Advice for a Treasured Friend
Sarah Moreau, Dietetics

I’ve known a friend of mine since we were both in-utero.  Literally, our mothers were friends while they were pregnant.  When my mother moved out, his mother helped make sure I got picked up from after-school activities.  When I got frustrated with my family situation, (as teenagers are apt to do,) his family took me in and helped me process my feelings in a healthy way.  When he got married, all I could think of is how perfect a match he and his new wife were together.  When his mother asked me to show him around campus sometime, I made sure he registered for the very next Life Leadership Weekend.  His mother indicated she wasn’t sure if he should go to medical school, chiropractic school or some other health-related field.  When I saw he had applied and was accepted to Life, I was extremely excited.  I thought of all of the things I could show him, the people I could introduce him to, and how much time I would get to spend getting to know his wife better.  My excitement waned a bit when I thought of some of the pitfalls of my beloved University.

Initially, I thought of the chiropractic drama I have witnessed – different clubs and organizations vie for DC students’ time, money and minds.  While the philosophy behind many clubs are similar or the same, the clubs seem to pit war against each other in the hopes of attracting more members.  As someone who prefers a conflict-free existence, I let him know that discussing time, financial and philosophical differences between these clubs with his wife before committing to any of them would be the best advice I could give.

I then thought of the financial pitfalls many students, undergrad, masters and DC, suffer.  So many students, myself included, are tempted by the shiny objects in store windows once that financial aid check deposits.  Ikea beckons me from their catalog and website.  Forever 21 hypnotizes me with beautiful clothes and “reasonable” prices.  In conversations with my good friend, I know that he and his wife have had conversations about this, and are doing their best to keep their heads level.

My mind naturally wandered to all of the interpersonal drama on campus.  Many students swear that dating in the quarter is toxic, and some make it work.  My friend doesn’t have to worry about that, but there is a lot of cheating amongst boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, and the betrothed.  I tried to do a bit of research as to why this is prominent, but it seems that it isn’t just our school.  Many of the students in post-graduate programs claim their school/profession/etc. has a higher divorce rate because of the large number of hours spent daily on-campus and away from their spouses.  Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any reliable research showing this.  One website speculated that the divorce rate was 60%, but there was no evidence behind this, and that number is sadly only 10% higher than the national average.

I thought back on my best advice in other areas.  In everything, I told my good friend to talk to his wife about everything that was going on, and perhaps that’s the key.  As someone who has never been married, I cannot pretend to know how to keep a marriage together, but I do know that my divorced friends have all said that at some point, they just stopped having deep, meaningful conversations.  Perhaps it saddens me more because our core life proficiencies include “integrity,” but maybe my sadness about this subject is more because I see it first-hand in friends and acquaintances on campus.  Even when I don’t know the people involved, my Pollyanna side kicks in and feels bad that a marriage or relationship is breaking up.  Are the hours in the chiropractic program a lot to handle?  Yes.  Will DC students spend a lot of time with their classmates?  Absolutely.  Can a married couple work through these landmines and make it to the other side unscathed?  Resoundingly, yes.  Is it easy?  No.  But then again, if DC students wanted easy, they should have chosen another profession.  Chiropractic and being a chiropractic advocate are not cakewalks.  The profession requires intelligence, commitment, skill, and determination.

Ultimately, I know my friend and his amazing wife will make it through this program successfully, but not without a lot of hard work in many areas.  They will bypass these pitfalls because they have what it takes to make it through.  This fact comforts me greatly.

What’s Your Latitude? – Ryan Schrock, DC Student

a personal reflection

The following is my own experience of living my life from a place of gratitude by placing a focus of intention on the things I am grateful for in my life.  This process was 100 days long and I want to personally thank Michael Hollerbach for giving me the idea, and it just happened to be right around the New Year.  A resolution in my life? Or, how about a revolution?
As most of you know, our society puts an emphasis on individualism, happiness through success, and the goal of achievement.  Ever heard the quote, “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.”?  These sound bites are great, but what is the essence of that statement?  Maybe the question is, “what is the state of the human being when they say things as the above quote”?  Just a couple of questions, think about them for a bit before you come to a conclusion.
I consider myself an over comer, and when obstacles of life are in the way, I overcome because that is me, and I am grateful for the things in my life I have accomplished up to this point in my life.  I am all for the success and being an achiever, but I also felt unfulfilled with achievement in my life.  As students, we only advance forward when we are achieving, but I want to challenge everyone to ask themselves this question today, “Where are you achieving from”?  In other words, what is your state of being, as you achieve throughout your life.  Are you fulfilled?  I started to peel back two layers of myself throughout the last 100 days, and believe that as we go through life, we either peel layers back off to discover our real selves, or we build a “wall” around us in order to protect ourselves from things in life that might threaten us.  I also concluded that I had built up a “wall” around me to hide from myself.
There are two points I would like to make with these above questions and statements.  The place you come from, OR, your state of being right here in this moment is the only power we have in life.  The most power we have at any given time is decision.  Should I annotate my notes after class? Should I work out right now? Should I talk to her/him? Is this a stupid question? What books do I need? What notes should I study? What is the best exercise routine? Yadda yadda yadda…and when we make these decisions, ultimately they build up to what is or is not the desired result.  That is the power of NOW, and we can make the decision to either live in the past or live in the NOW.  Famous author and speaker, Tony Robbins says, most people strive to complete the “art of achievement,” which often allows success in one’s life.  For example, having an idea, and manifesting something out of nothing.  This is one layer of knowing yourself and your capabilities, and also being open enough to put your ideas out there to an often skeptical and judgmental world. If you are attending Life University right now, you have probably experienced some level of achievement in your life.  So we are here, NOW, but here is the second “art” that I have been pursuing the last 100 days of my life.  Robbins calls this “the art of fulfillment,” and this lets’ people peel the deep layer back and connect with the most important person in their life, their true self.  It’s cliché I know, but loving oneself, and coming from that space is essential in order to be fulfilled in life.  If you disagree with me, and you have explored this aspect of yourself, please come tell me about your discovery.  AS I said, this has been a personal experience, and I was overcome by feeling to share it with as many people as I could.  I DO see the world through “rose-colored glasses,” and I look at life with a positive eye.  To some, that could be annoying, but I am a student chiropractor and my intention to be a chiropractor is to tell people why I know what I know, tell them about chiropractic, and if it reaches one person and that reaches one other person, and that reaches a person, etc…you get my drift?  You never know what you give to someone today will change millions of lives tomorrow.  I challenge you to master the “art of fulfillment,” and achieve and give of yourself abundantly from a place of gratitude.  So what’s your latitude? Make it gratitude!

Planting the Seed in La Romana – Cristina Ruiz, DC Student

Doctors and students bring the principle to hispanola

This past June, a group of 49 chiropractors and chiropractic students from different countries and ideologies traveled to the Caribbean island of Hispanola, which is home to the nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with a common purpose: To serve and change people’s lives through chiropractic. As part of this mission trip, I experienced the need and interest for chiropractic from the people from the Haitian towns of Ouanaminthe and Puerto Plata. Most of the individuals we served had never heard of chiropractic. Some where eager to learn about it, others called it a “chiropractic massage,” and others were drawn in by pure curiosity. Whatever the reason, our group of chiropractors and students served and educated people of all ages from six months to 94 years old about the mind-body connection and the body’s innate intelligence.  Our group of seven doctors and students served in Haiti for two days. Later in the week, our group of 49 volunteers was divided into 12 groups of four people per establishment to serve for three days. We went to churches, orphanages, parks, hospitals, and schools to serve all who were willing to receive the gift of chiropractic. Everywhere we went, people welcomed us with open arms and treated us as family. We were invited into their homes, to dance or play baseball with them. People were excited to show us the full experience of true Haitian and Dominican culture.
We were able to let innate flow through their subluxation-free bodies, but the Haitian and Dominican communities are living subluxated lives. There was intervention everywhere you went. Once we crossed the border into Haiti, the tension could be felt in the environment. There were policemen with rifles protecting the border, the blazing sun was shining, a mixture of smells filled the air, and everyone was trying to get our attention with loud Creole words and pulling on our clothes. Everyone was safe but they were as curious about us as we were about them. The roads were made of red dirt, people were living side by side with trash, and conditions were unsanitary to mention some of the things we saw. Women could be seen washing their clothes in the river while the men tried to find work as motorcycle- taxi drivers. In the midst of the sensory stimulation overload, we met with a man called Pastor Joseph who lead us to his church, a hospital, and an orphanage where people were waiting for us. You could see an instant positive reaction from everyone being adjusted. The children from the orphanage sang for us and the people from the church prayed for us. Socioeconomic situations and language barrier aside, people seemed to grasp the concept of what chiropractic and innate intelligence do. “The power that made the body heals the body” came naturally to them. Most importantly, they understood something that needs no words: CARE.
Once in the Dominican Republic town of La Romana, we visited very impoverished sectors of both rural and urban areas. There, in the Spanish speaking part of the island, the service experience was very positive as well. Seeing people’s reactions after their first adjustment was priceless. The variety of people’s responses to chiropractic was as diverse as the techniques the doctors were using to adjust. People jumped, smiled, offered us food, introduced us to their families, and laughed once they were subluxation-free. Some people wanted to share their discovery of chiropractic by bringing their entire communities to be adjusted, while others hugged us with the greatest gratitude one can demonstrate. There were children who came up to us to show us their report cards asking if they had the potential to become future chiropractors. Some children even imitated our actions as if they were adjusting each other. We eagerly reassured them they could help us improve people’s lives through chiropractic in the future and encouraged them to get their communities involved in the process. The support and appreciation of the people in La Romana allowed us to plant the seed of knowledge and consciousness about the human body in communities where education is as scarce as clean water.
Watching this group of such outstanding chiropractors and students has inspired me in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve shared the healing experience with hundreds of people and made friendships for a lifetime in the process. I am so grateful. The participants from the mission trip served people by correcting their subluxations, opening their hearts, and letting innate “do the talking.” They also showed the people of La Romana that someone cares and that despite the chaos and poverty that surrounds them, they have not been forgotten. As chiropractic students we sometimes get too focused on what WE need to achieve, how many more adjustments WE need to pass clinic, and how much paperwork WE need to do for our patients. This trip helped me to put things into perspective and re-focus on our patients. Through the adjustment we can help heal THEM, unleash THEIR full potential, and make a positive change in THEIR lives. By reconnecting with the science, art, and philosophy that is chiropractic, we are becoming the future leaders our communities need. It is impossible to measure the extent to which chiropractic has impacted the lives of people we served. I just know how it has impacted me as a human being and future chiropractor.

Circle K International Club – Carley Edwards, DC Student

new club offers students the opportunity to serve

Circle K International (CKI) is a collegiate organization and sponsored program of Kiwanis International, a global volunteer organization. CKI offers students the opportunity to serve others, build relationships and become better leaders. A strong focus of the club is on helping children of all ages around the world. CKI has more than 12,500 members on more than 550 campuses around the world. Life University students can learn about ways to volunteer in the local community by getting involved with the new CKI club on campus.

Club President, Josh Pirini, describes the club’s purpose:  “Kiwanis International allows you the opportunity to be a leader with other professionals and to provide serviceable acts in order to better serve the community that you may choose to practice in one day. During your tenure at Life University, CKI is a great way to serve yourself in spirit rather than the material values of life.”

Last quarter, the Life University CKI club helped pick up flags around the Marietta area after Memorial Day. The first weekend of summer quarter, students helped pick up trash around campus including the student parking lot, the gym parking lot and the area around the tree house. One of the five students who volunteered for the campus cleanup, Ryan Messina, explained what the experience meant to him: “The cleanup made me feel part of something bigger than just being a student; I felt part of the community. They say man is measured by his actions and I believe that the cleanup measured us all larger than Life.”

In the future, the club has plans to volunteer at a soup kitchen – date soon to be announced. The club meets Tuesdays at 11 in CUS room 206. For more information about Circle K visit www.circlek.org.  For more information on the club contact llupo@student.life.edu or jpirini@student.life.edu. You can also visit the club on Facebook, by searching Life University Circle K International.

Outside the Box – Ron Sweeney, DC Student

looking beyond what’s familiar

Over the break, I had the opportunity to go on a road trip with my dad, driving from the panhandle of Florida all the way up to Manitoba, (that’s the Canadian province just above North Dakota, for those of you not so well-versed in geography.) All that time behind the wheel, miles rolling on through so many states got me thinking. Somewhere in the middle of Iowa, just after sundown, some farm boys started setting off fireworks—no doubt testing their artillery for the Fourth—when an idea came to me. As Americans, we live in an amazing country, unlike any other. In effect, it’s 50 distinct yet extremely neighborly republics—the United States. As citizens, we have unbridled access to any and all of them. You won’t be denied entry to Georgia if you’re from California, and while Ohio and Michigan may never settle their differences, there certainly isn’t an embargo between the two. Although we have the opportunity to go anywhere and do anything, not many do. Seemingly lacking in culture and international awareness, all too often, we get the reputation of being That Guy—the Ugly American.
Take a look at Europe, an entire continent that is a little more than one-third the size of the United States, a tiny mishmash of differently-tongued countries. Although at the federal level, we have no official language, our de facto language is English, and not many people pursue learning a second language beyond the two or so years required in high school. Even fewer Americans have been to all 50 states (let alone outlying districts or territories,) as many fail to venture beyond the states adjacent to their own. This isn’t all that surprising, actually; the United States ranks as the third- or fourth-largest nation, (China seems to present dubious information.)
Barring the latest natural disaster or regional political instability happening overseas broadcast ad nauseam on the major news outlets, the majority of us lead fairly isolationist existences. We have our daily and weekly routines, leading us from home to work, all pretty much on a beaten path on one side of our cities and towns. We’re caught up in our own lives most of the time, particularly here on Chiropractic Island.

I didn’t realize the extent of how much of a rock I seem to live under until we were planning the route to Manitoba and my dad had to explain that it would get “tricky” due to various detours, road closures, and construction subsequent to the flooding of the Missouri River. As I rarely read or watch the news, I was completely clueless that any of this had happened. Many people operate in this same mindset, only taking notice of what they feel affects them directly, not realizing that we are all interconnected. There is so much more beyond what lies just outside our own front doors; all we have to do is take the first step by being willing to notice and be proactive.
You don’t have to become an international media correspondent to care. Simply get involved.

There are over fifty student organizations here on campus, and every one of them can help you expand your awareness and Weltanschauung, (a German word meaning “world outlook”.) Support your state and national chiropractic organizations. Go on a mission trip. Find out about our international clinics or how you can practice abroad. You have to think big if you want to affect change. If you want to impact your community, aim for the whole city. From there, the only limits are those you impose on yourself—to change the city, aim for the state; the state, aim for the country; the country, aim for the continent; the continent, aim for world. You don’t have to be a world chiropractic domination mastermind like Liam Schübel, owning and operating 16 clinics throughout Central and South America (and always expanding,) but it still starts with you. Take that first step, and like Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

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C-HOP Intern Frustrations Grow – Alex Gerdel, DC Student

physical time restrictions, unannounced closures and time wasting

Over the last few quarters, changes have been made in the Center for Health and Optimum Performance (CHOP) that have left a bitter taste in the mouths of many of the interns completing their Level II Clinic. The frustrations began with the implementation of specific physical times that are for the most part completely incongruent with the schedules of interns, as well as their patients.

With new patient physicals and re-physicals only being allowed at the times of 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM, a large number of problems have been created with interns trying to start new patients while still attending their classes and working around their patient’s work schedule. Frank Ambrosio, a 12^th quarter intern, expressed his frustration that he had patients lined up and ready to come in, but couldn’t get them scheduled for a physical until fourth or fifth week. The afternoon slots have become such hot commodities that scheduling for physicals must be done several weeks out in order to find an open slot. Joe, one of the CHOP staff members, quipped that interns have begun to resort to “selling their afternoon physical times.” While he made the comment jokingly, it appears the joke may not be far from the truth.

More recently, the clinic administrators failed to announce that the clinic would be closing early on Tuesday July 19^th for the 8^th Quarter Clinic Gateway ceremony. This omission, while seemingly harmless, resulted in many interns unknowingly scheduling their patients for appointments after 6 PM that evening, only to discover the clinic was in fact going to close early. The clinic attempted to remedy in the situation by allowing those who had already scheduled patients to still see them after 6 PM. However, Scott Robinson, a 12^th quarter intern, left clinic at 4:45 PM very frustrated. He had scheduled his regular patient at 6:30 PM for that day the week before. However, when he went to double check with scheduling, the appointment was nowhere to be found, and he was told that he would not be able to see his patient. Robinson, a student who commutes at least an hour each day from North Georgia and places high value on the times he is on campus later in the day to see his patients, was not the only student to discover that an appointment they were 100% sure had been scheduled the week before was no longer listed on the books.

While the clinic administrators continue to make changes in hopes of streamlining the outpatient clinic system more and more each quarter, it is still not uncommon to hear interns referring to CHOP as a “time-sucking black hole” that’s difficult to incorporate into the still busy class schedules of 10^th, 11^th and 12^th quarter. This feeling has not been helped of late by the added bonus of having the computers the interns use freeze up on them while they are trying to print or type reports. The question remains whether the clinic administrators can develop a system that satisfies the interns, faculty doctors and their patients without leaving anyone frustrated.

Socrates Cafe – Kelly Milano, DC Student

A Year Later

On January 11, 2010 Socrates Café officially opened for business. For those who have been around for a while and remember the old café with its greasy food, and its dingy, outdated interior, the new café came as a very welcomed campus addition. It gave students a well-lit, updated atmosphere with better food options and much more space. A year later, the café is thriving. Quite often throughout the day it is hard to find a spot to sit as the entire café is full. The patio has become a place where drum circles entertain on sunny days. The evenings are a perfect place to study, with the sounds of the water and the glow of the firepit light the night.

The 28,000 square feet of open space with indoor and outdoor seating, now employs 12 staff members plus some temporary help for the bigger events or for when people are on vacation. Run by Bon Appetit, whose company logo is “Food Services for a Sustainable Future,” the café boasts quality foods created from scratch as much as possible. According to their website, “Bon Appetite Management Company has become a model for what is possible in sustainable food service.” They were the first food service company to address the issues related to where and how the food is grown. In January, Bon Appetit reached its goal of contracting 1,000 ‘farm to fork’ farmers, a company initiative to buy locally.

Another aspect of Bon Appetit, Socrates Café and Life Univeristy is their commitment to recycling. Ron Williams, Assistant to the Executive Chef, is an avid recycler. He states that he first began recycling in 1994 in the workplace and it quickly became something he loves. Not only does he oversee the recycling done by the café, he also is actively involved in the recycling around campus. According to Williams, the school boasts a Somat machine in the café that recycles most of the material thrown into the garbage cans. (www.somatcompany.com) He states that the machine is able to mulch the plates, boxes, papers and leftover food into a useable mulch that is used throughout campus in the plants and trees. The garbage in the cans is sorted through and separated out daily, pushed down a conveyor type belt and into the machine where it is rotated at a high heat overnight. The heat dries out the materials and breaks them down into a sandy type composition that is put into the plants around campus. The Somat machine is able to decrease the waste produced by 50%, saving not only money, (up to $800 a month from the recycling companies alone,) but also to help do Life’s share in conserving energy and the environment. The machine is NOT currently able to process the cups and silverware used on campus, as it tends to jam the machine so to best recycle these items, put them in the blue recycling bins located near the garbage cans. There are also 35 new containers around campus for recycling of aluminum and plastic.

One issue that students have had with Socrates is that it closes down to convert the menu from breakfast to lunch. According to Williams, this time is necessary due to the very limited space within the café. He states, “Every corner of the restaurant is breakfast and lunch. Every corner is turned out and turned over.” All of the oatmeal containers are switched out for soups. The fruit bar is completely turned over to salads. The danish and muffins need to be fully switched to deli and grill items. Every square inch needs to be replaced. Bon Appetit determined that the best way to handle the transition is for a shut down during a not busy time, to help avoid risk and accidents and to make the transition as smooth as possible. During that time, Plato to Go is open for drinks, coffee and quick pick up foods. The prices in Plato have come down, with the grab & go sandwiches now being $.60 cheaper than before.

The café is currently open from 6:30am-9:30AM and 10:30AM-3:00PM Monday – Friday, with the seating area open until Midnight as well as noon-midnight on the weekend.  Plato to Go is open 9:00 AM-1PM and 3-6PM Monday-Friday.

For more information on Bon Appetit and their commitment to sustainability, visit www.bamco.com  Have a comment about this article? Come visit us on Facebook!

Live Life to Your Fullest – Alexandra Gerdel, Chief Content Editor

From the Chief Content Editor

When we’re in school, it’s easy to get bogged down in the everyday routine of tests and studying for class. Graduation and the real world can seem so far, and any dreams we have outside of being students exist in the future as a “someday” ideal that we can’t have right now due to our circumstances of still being in school. I’ve learned something pretty cool during my time at LIFE: your circumstances don’t matter. We don’t have to wait until we graduate to be the person we’ve always dreamed of being.

Last August, I created a vision for myself that was far bigger than just graduating from school and opening my practice. I saw myself as an international leader in chiropractic, working to transform the profession in its second century. I never envisioned taking on this role I saw for myself until after I had graduated and maybe even been in practice for ten years. I was blinded by the hoops still left to jump through in school and still being tied to government funded living expense checks.

About three months ago, something in my thinking shifted. I’ve suddenly found myself in the role I only dared to dream of back in August. The reason? I got bold, started speaking and writing my ideas beyond the realm of just our LIFE campus. The result, I realized while I was at New Beginnings earlier this month, was that other leaders in our profession actually knew who I was. It was while I was at New Beginnings I realized I have actually made an impression on those out to save chiropractic and save the world, and become the leader I dreamed of becoming.

My goal here is not to brag or make myself look cool, it’s to leave you all with this message and hopefully with the inspiration to really take on your life and be who you are. So many of us live life without fully expressing ourselves because we get bogged down in everything surrounding us and allow that to define us. You are not your finances, your divorced parents, your final exam schedule etc. Who you are is who you choose to be in the face of all the obstacles and life imperfections we each face on a daily basis.

If you have not done so, take a moment to consider your life and your actions. Who are you? How do you act and behave? In each moment, who do you choose to be? Who would you like to be? The theory of the power of positive thinking runs rampant within the chiropractic profession and on this campus. While I fully believe in maintaining positive thoughts and attitudes in order to get what you want, I also believe it requires action. I became a leader because I stopped acting like a scared student, swallowed by the pressure of school and exams and with nothing to offer the world. I started taking actions consistent with a leader. I met people. I shared my ideas and writing with people. I was bold and courageous.

So I ask you, who do you want to be? What’s holding you back? Don’t wait for tomorrow to get here. The future is right now. You are capable of being whoever you wish to be in this moment. Dream big. Reach for the stars. The only thing in your way is you deciding who you want to be.

Microbiology and Chiropractic – David Traster, DC Student

Proof of the principle from the human genome

The year is 2011 and modern science is beginning to validate what Chiropractic has preached for over one hundred years. With thousands of practicing Chiropractors, Chiropractic students, and Chiropractic patients, one would expect to hear more of an outcry about the fact that Chiropractic was correct; yet there is still deafening silence.  Medical Schools for decades have indoctrinated both Medical Doctors and society on what is called the Central Dogma. The Central Dogma states that our genetic makeup determines everything from our physical characteristics to our behavior, and most importantly our health. There is only one problem with the Central Dogma – it is not true.  And modern science has continued to validate this fact for the past decade.

The Human Genome Project began in the early 1990s and was initially focused on cataloging all the genes of the human body. The expected result was to correlate genetic variations with specific diseases in order to develop “gene therapy” which was supposed to be the future of medicine. Billions of dollars were funneled into this project and the public was told this would single-handedly end heart disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disease and hope seemed infinite. Scientists expected to find at least 120,000 genes with the assumption that there must be one gene for each individual protein in our body, in which we have at least 100,000 known proteins. On top of that, scientists assumed around 20,000 regulatory genes whose function was to “orchestrate” the complex protein assembly. When the Human Genome project was over, everyone was astonished by the fact that only 23,688 genes are responsible for the ever complex human body. Research has now shifted into the study of epigenetics which focuses on how genes are expressed in our body and the causative factors of this expression.

In November of 2010, The New England Journal of Medicine sadly reported on how little correlation exists between obesity, diabetes and our genes. It is now shown that most of our genes are secondary to the environment of our cells. Not only do our cell membranes act as a semi-permeable lipid bilayer covering which regulates what goes in and out of our cells, but the cell membranes are also able to read the environment of the extracellular matrix and send signals to our cell nucleus in order for the cell to adapt and survive.  Similar to how the nervous system takes in sensory information and relays an appropriate motor output, it seems our cells may act in a similar manner. Studies now show that our thoughts, stresses, social connections, diet, exercise, exposure to microbes and environmental toxins all have major effects on how our genome is expressed. This expression of genetics, based on our environment, is now said to be causing between 70 to 90 percent of all disease.

The human body hosts 100 trillion microorganisms. The DNA of the bugs living within each human body outnumbers that of human DNA by one hundred times. The molecules produced by the DNA of these microorganisms have a significant impact on our health.  It is the job of the chiropractor to maximize our patients’ biology in order for their immune system to work optimally. Chiropractic spinal and myofascial adjustments not only improve the nervous system, but also the vascular and lymphatic system.  With the additional focus on clinical nutrition, social behaviors, as well as any other stressor that a patient might present with, chiropractors have the ability to drastically improve the immune system’s ability to fight off pathogens. In order for the chiropractic profession to truly be considered primary physicians, we must continue to stay educated on modern, unbiased science. With this understanding, the Chiropractic profession can now scientifically and intelligently argue why everyone should be under our care.

How to Have a Great Stay – Kelly Milano, DC Student

In the Socrates Cafe

The Socrates Café has become a great space for food and fellowship on campus. But there are a few tips and things to remember to keep it a great atmosphere for everyone who comes through the doors.

1. Remember, this is a restaurant.  Read the menu.  If you aren’t ready, move out of the way so you aren’t holding up the line.  Know exactly what you want when you step up to the counter
2. Don’t say “this” or “that.” If you want the chicken with broccoli on the side, say “I want the chicken with a side of broccoli” not “I’ll take this with a little of that on the side.” This will help the servers better help you. Remember that with the main entrees, you get two side items!
3. When you are at the deli counter ordering a sandwich or an item from the grill, make sure to give them your name. This way, instead of calling out “Grilled cheese with sweet potato fries” and having three people come to the counter, wondering which one it belongs to, your name can be called and know exactly who it belongs to.
4. Keep the chitchat with the staff to a minimum, especially during peak times.  Remember, there are people waiting in line behind you.
5. Remember your manners and be courteous!  While everyone has a bad day every now and then, getting upset because the café ran out of cheese or wheat bread, is not necessary.
6. Pick up after yourself! Your momma doesn’t work here! While the staff is responsible for wiping down all the tables and keeping them clean, it’s your job to clear your table of all the garbage, plates and cups. There are trashcans conveniently located by EVERY exit in the cafe. USE THEM!
7. Know the café hours. While the main food lines close down between breakfast and lunch, Plato To Go is open. Knowing when the café is closed will save you a lot of frustration.
8. Remember that you aren’t the only person in the café.  While the café is a great place to hang out and spend some downtime, remember there are other people in there so don’t be too obnoxious with music and loud conversations.
9. If you take salt & pepper, ketchup or any other condiment outside, please be kind enough to bring it back in.  When the heat of the sun gets to the ketchup or the rain gets to the salt & pepper, they are ruined and have to be thrown away.
10. Stop putting napkins in the lights! (You know who you are!)

Chiropractic Schizophrenia – Alexandra Gerdel, DC Student

Being a Chiropractic Student stuck between the TORS and Medis

At New Beginnings this past April, Dr. Liam Schubel referred to the chiropractic education as schizophrenic. The following is an explanation of just what that means and a proposal to purge chiropractic of its schizophrenic education and identity.

In the infancy of the chiropractic profession two philosophical camps developed that continue to run rampant today. As LIFE students we are all familiar with the philosophy created and developed by the Palmers. They sought to fill a void they saw in medicine and correct the cause of disease rather than treat its effects. They did not use any therapies, but simply applied the chiropractic adjustment at the right place and right time. They did not come from the educated upper class, but instead were hard-working, self educated blue collar men who developed a method of health care they believed would change the world.

As the Palmer’s took their newfound passion to the masses and began teaching others what they knew, another camp of chiropractors developed. The leaders of this group were two men, Langworthy and Carver. Unlike the founders of chiropractic, they believed in the use of modalities and alternative ways to treat disease. Their followers, like their leaders, tended to be medical doctors, osteopaths or naturopaths, seeking to add yet another degree and tool to their white collar education.

These two camps have been known throughout history as the “straights” (Palmers) and the “mixers” (Langworthy and Carver.) Both sides have continually worked to develop chiropractic in the direction they feel it should go, one as a separate and distinct profession, and the other as another route to become a medical doctor. Today these terms have been replaced by chiropracTOR’s practicing chiropracTIC, and MEDIpractors pushing for prescription rights and the incorporation of chiropractic into the medical profession. Regardless of the terms, chiropractic schools are charged with satisfying the traditionally medipractor educational standards devoid of any philosophical background that is required of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) and National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE), while still, if their own philosophy is intact, providing students with the philosophical understanding necessary to practice chiropractic in it’s pure form, as a science, philosophy and art.

The weird dichotomy that has been created in chiropractic through political power struggles between the two factions rears it’s ugly head on our own campus in the form of our curriculum. It’s a fairly common phenomenon to walk around the LIFE campus and hear someone complaining about a class we’re required to take as chiropractic students. What exactly does urinalysis, visceral diagnosis or learning how to do a digital rectal and female pelvic exam have to do with chiropractic? Every quarter at least one class in the curriculum raises the question: “Why am I being asked to learn this? I’m going to be a chiropractor, I remove vertebral subluxations by adjusting the spine!” Well the answer lies in the philosophical division described above.

As students we are left trying to figure out just what our role is as chiropractors in “the real world.” We attend classes where we are informed we must know this information for boards. Our teachers stress mastering medical diagnosis lest someone die under our care. Then we attend seminars where we are told to forget everything we learned in school because most of it is baloney required by the CCE, NBCE and state licensing boards, but will hold no place for us in the real world. By the time we reach 12^th Quarter Advanced CLET with Dr. McCoy, a full case of schizophrenia has set in. No help is to be found from Dr. McCoy, who further rattles our brains by pointing out LIFE’s mission statement is to train us as “primary clinicians” fully capable and competent in every subject we have learned in school—including urinalysis and performing a Digital Rectal Exam. Although he himself is arguably one of the more principled chiropractors teaching at LIFE, his job is to ascertain whether we have truly learned the information necessary to competently fulfill the school’s mission for us upon graduation. With all the mixed messages about what our role truly is when we graduate, is it any wonder a portion of the profession has abandoned all philosophy and are fighting for the comfort of joining the medical world?

Given the recent events with the CCE abandoning all reference to chiropractic as a separate and distinct profession that heals without the use of drugs or surgery, the time has come for chiropractic to reclaim it’s own education. It’s time to take a stand for ourselves and our profession. We don’t need medicine to make our profession successful in changing the health of the world, what we need is a revamping of our education system so that chiropractic students graduate ready to spread chiropracTIC around the world. What we don’t need is for students to continue to graduate feeling scared or incompetent in their chiropractic art, science and philosophy because of a schizophrenic training in two conflicting ideologies. Who is ready to join me in a revolution?

Cancer and Chiropractic – Jenn Roberts, DC Student

MY Story

My name is Jenn and I am a member of the student community here at LIFE; I am a future Chiropractor. Recently, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and this article, shares with you, my personal experience.

I’m a married 40 year old woman who happens to share a 15 year old with my husband and his first wife, one of my best friends. I usually live off radar. I am quiet, non-gossipy person and don’t like cliques and exclusionists. I have friends from all walks of life and love them all with my whole heart; many of them I met while here at school.

I received my cancer diagnosis not once, but three times. I was given a 95% chance of having invasive breast carcinoma. I found the lump the Wednesday night of finals week of Winter quarter. Saw the OBGYN the next day, had the mammograms and ultrasound and close up mammograms (first diagnosis) by the end of the week and met the surgeon Monday (second diagnosis.) The Thursday morning of break, four days before Spring quarter started, I had surgery and afterwards, the surgeon again reiterated his diagnosis to my husband Adam and my Mom who flew in from Oregon. Again, the diagnosis upon examination of the excised tissue was 95% chance of malignancy. The surgeon’s physicians assistant later stated that the surgeon was being ‘conservative’.

The size of the lump I found, guided solely to that spot by the innate one evening while changing clothes, was 2×3 mm. The size of the mass they removed during the ‘breast conservation surgery’ (vs. radical mastectomy based on the triple diagnosis) was 3.5 cm, leaving a four inch scar on an area of my body many women associate with their very femininity. Most of the time I leave the compression bandages on, letting the surgeon remove them for examinations and such. The next conversation my surgeon wants to have is a talk about reconstructive surgery, but I am not sure how I feel about that quite yet.

This all happened really fast. Before I knew it, within one week I was physically scarred for the rest of my life. But it was a blessing overall that we did not proceed with the mastectomy as the pathology came back with a diagnosis of Granulomatous Lobular Mastitis, a very rare condition which mimics, nearly identically, invasive breast carcinoma.

I was in the 5% category.

I dodged the bullet and I cannot begin to describe how thankful I am for that.

While I was recovering from surgery, waiting the full week before pathology came back, I started a charity craft project to raise money to go to women who cannot afford mammograms called ‘Beads for Boobs.’ But something else was on my mind while I waited at home before classes started this quarter… how would I be received on campus.

You see, a large number of chiropractic students as well as chiropractors themselves believe that medical intervention should not be necessary if one receives regular adjustments. Part of this rings true… Better spinal alignment leads to less nerve interference, allowing the body to respond better to the environment while less stress is experienced by the body. This allows our bodies own innate intelligence to regulate itself without typical allopathic interjection. I do believe that in whole. However, some in chiropractic believe that everything can be fixed or cured, type 1 diabetes for instance, with the ‘right adjustment’. And while opinions are like hineys, everyone has one, I ask for respect in return regarding my own beliefs. And my belief says that cancer cannot be necessarily curtailed proactively via regular chiropractic care. It helps, especially during cancer treatment for allowing the body to be on top point, but is not a sure fire cure or preventative.

As Dr. Koch, a professor of mine, will tell you, an adjustment would not have helped his retinas reattach. That had to be done by an ophthalmic surgeon who specialized in retinas just as my circumstance had me rely on a surgeon who specialized in breast cancer.

I still had no pathology report before school started again and carried around within me the worry that I too would hear the same rumblings in passing; that if I had gotten adjusted, or lived a more vitalistic lifestyle, I wouldn’t have had the breast mass. The assumption however by my medical team was that the mass was driven by hormones and if it indeed came back as malignant, along with node biopsies and other procedures, I would have to go on hormone blocking agents to prevent a recurrence.

I rarely get colds and never get the flu. I have had neuro-work done and recovered from Guillaume-Barré syndrome with the help of chiropractic. I love chiropractic and its potential so much that I am here at LIFE at 40 years old, to be a chiropractor. And while this surgery has changed me forever in a lot of ways, I celebrate every sunrise, rain drop and star in the sky every single day because I have received a reprieve from the triple diagnosis. A reprieve many, like my Aunt and Sister-in-Law do not. I am now passionately motivated to raise money for women who cannot afford to get mammograms so they can have them proactively and reactively.

I am researching cancer treatments that combine the acknowledgement of innate intelligence and chiropractic, which may lead me to practice focusing a specialization in working with patients who are going through surgery, chemo and/or radiation. I am thankful – thankful I still have that possibility in my future.

The statistics for breast cancer are below but the most hard hitting is that 1 in less than 8 women will have invasive breast cancer at some point in her life. This can happen to anyone, even men. Breast cancer awareness even has its own month, but self-checks should be done monthly and if you are 40 or older, annual mammograms. If you have had a lump, mass or are cystic you will want to discuss alternative screening timelines with your OBGYN and DC.

The American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates for breast cancer in the United States are for 2010:

• About 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women
• About 54,010 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be found (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).
• About 39,840 deaths from breast cancer (women)
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
• The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is a little less than 1 in 8.
• The chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 35. Breast cancer death rates have been going down. This is probably the result of finding the cancer earlier and better treatment.
• Right now there are more than 2½ million breast cancer survivors in the United States.