Now you Know about Chiropractic!

Snow Flurries, brisk mornings, seeing your breath, and enjoying all the fun winter activities associated with the winter months ahead are things that we look forward to as we wind down the winter months.  It is a time where we can sit back, and watch mother nature unfold her true beauty either from home with a warm cup of tea and a blanket or from the tippy top slopes of the mountains.  But there are some things that can prevent us from truly enjoying these magical wonders.

As the snow falls most of us will still be needing to get to our workplace, get our children to practices, and carry on life’s daily activities.  It is also a time when many people suffer injury from shoveling and falls.  With old man winter, there can come with it some heavy snow.  Snow that can cripple your ability to move the next day and even be the cause of cardiac arrest.  Keeping this in mind, always remember to lift the snow using your legs while shoveling, NOT your back.  Be sure to wear your proper cold weather attire so that you can withstand the elements, and last but certainly not least get in to see your chiropractor.

With all the extra bending and movements, it is key to remind yourself that a properly functioning nervous system will keep you moving and functioning at your best.  So be sure to schedule your regular adjustments to remove any subluxations (where your spinal bones are shifted and placing pressure of the nerves near them) from your spine.

Chiropractors know that adjustments are good for your general health. Millions of satisfied patients cannot be wrong. But what do chiropractors know that the rest of us do not?

They know the nervous system is the one system in the body that directly affects every other system. This is because nerves conduct sensory information from every part of the body and then delivers this information to the brain. Once there, the brain analyzes the information to determine what the body needs to maintain a healthy state. So the health of this system is paramount to the good health of the rest of the body.

Chiropractors recognize that misalignment in the spine can interfere with proper nervous system function. More specifically, chiropractors study the effects of vertebral subluxations – conditions of the spine where alignment and/or movement patterns of the vertebrae are abnormal. When this occurs, imbalances cause irritation and inflammation to the nerve roots. In turn this can cause interference with information that is transmitted along nerves and spinal cord. Chiropractors are the only health care professionals specifically trained to locate and correct spinal subluxations.

As Chiropractors, our main job is to properly restore the function of the nervous system through gentle and effective adjustments.  These adjustments are safe enough for newborns all the way to the elderly population.

So when considering how you cam jump start your body into healthier function, consider chiropractic as your first choice.  It is natural, effective, and a sure way to give your body what it needs.

February is a month notorious for LOVE.  Finding first love, rekindling old love, loving on our friends and family,  and loving our significant others.  But, what if I said this month should also have a main focus on loving YOURSELF? 

Self love is such a great way to ensure you are feeling your best.  Perhaps it is buying a new pair of shoes.  Maybe it is splurging and grabbing a cup of coffee for yourself when you otherwise wouldn't.  Or, perhaps it is loving on yourself by scheduling your first chiropractic appointment to make sure your body is functioning at its most optimal state.

By getting regular chiropractic adjustments from your family chiropractor, it not only will help your nervous system function more optimally, but it will also balance out your hormones, particularly endorphins which plainly put, just makes you feel good.

When a chiropractor checks your spine for subluxations, they are looking to find an area of the spine that is putting pressure on your nerves which either inhibits or slows down the signals between the brain and the body.  By clearing out that interference, the body can relay messages more efficiently which helps all systems function better.

So when looking for ways to improve your overall health and well being, don't forget that February is a month for putting yourself first, so that you can help others in return and share the LOVE!

Picture this.......a series of unfortunate events leads to a cut on your finger.  Did you start to wonder what inside your body was responsible for the healing of that cut?  Or what about when you touch a door handle and 2 days later come down with a cold....did you stop and think about what was going on inside your body to help you heal?

Within your body, millions of signals are occurring daily and all are happening at the same time just to keep you alive.  Your heart is beating, stomach is digesting, muscles are moving, lungs are breathing, liver is processing toxins, kidneys are filtering waste, your immune system is keeping you healthy.  ALL without you having to give it a second thought.  If this doesn't amaze you, I'm not sure what will!!  Imagine if you had to be aware of all these processes to make sure you stayed alive.  Do you think any of us are up for that task?  I think not.

The way your body operates without any outside direction is called Innate Intelligence.  By definition, Innate Intelligence is an inborn intelligence which is something we all have within us, from the moment of our creation until we die. Innate intelligence is always working; not only to keep us alive, but to also keep us healthy. Innate intelligence is always striving for a state of stability, to adapt to both internal and external changes and stressors.

So, in the midst of the season where feeling grateful is in abundance, take a moment to thank your body for knowing exactly what to do and when to do it because there is nothing quite like that of Innate Intelligence.

Ghosts, monsters under the bed, gremlins, and one eyed purple people eaters may only exist through legendary folklore, but there is something quite scary that can be affecting you and you might not even know it exists.

What if I told you there was a small, tiny in fact monster in your body that can be preventing you from feeling and working at your optimal level?  That this tiny little gremlin may be robbing you daily of your fullest potential or what if I said this tiny little creature reeks havoc on your body every day that it hangs out without getting its eviction notice?   Would you be more inclined to send it packing if you new that it could be affecting your overall well being?

Truth be told,  this tiny monster is called a subluxation.  A subluxation is a misalignment of the spinal bones that puts pressure on your nerve roots which ultimately decreases the function of the nervous signals being relayed from the brain to the body and the body back to the brain.  These disruptions can decrease the delicate balance of every cell, organ, tissue, and body part, which in turn can create dis-ease throughout your body.

Through regular chiropractic care from your family wellness chiropractor, we can play a vital role in removing these subluxations so that you can be the best version of yourself, the healthiest version of yourself, and the person living life at its fullest potential.  This can be achieved all by removing subluxation from your spine.

So the next time your body is facing these tiresome ghouls known as subluxation.....get yourself checked and be sure to have a spooktacular day.

Football is one of the most popular sports played by young athletes, and it leads all other sports in the number of injuries sustained. In 2007, more than 920,000 athletes under the age of 18 were treated in emergency rooms, doctors' offices, and clinics for football-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Some interesting stats in regards to the forces exerted during a tackle may surprise you.

On average, 4.56 seconds for the 40-yard dash -- can produce up to 1600 pounds of tackling force, according to Timothy Gay, a physics professor at the University of Nebraska and author of The Physics of Football.

Although it is a fun sport, imagine what the forces from this sport are doing to an athlete's spine.  With such forces being exerted through tackling and falls it can lead to subluxations (shifting of the spinal bones that applies pressure to the nerve root which decreases the function of the nervous system) of the spine.  That decrease in function is not always noticeable, which is why it is pertinent to see your chiropractor regularly to make sure your spine is functioning at its best.  When your spine has subluxations present, it can negatively influence how your body operates.  It can decrease your optimal function which in turn can plateau not only your athletic advancements, but also impair the way your body handles the stress related to a hefty practice schedule and rigorous game play.

So, the next time you are getting ready to compete against a top seeded team in any sport not just football, be sure to get you spine checked from your family wellness chiropractor to ensure you are at your best.

Chiropractic and Pregnancy

One of the most important times for a woman to receive chiropractic care is during her pregnancy.

From the moment of conception, your body goes through a series of changes. Back, pelvic, and postural changes can cause unwanted pain and discomfort. The good news is, chiropractic can help!

How can chiropractic help?

Your spine is made up of 24 independent vertebrae that enable your body to twist, bend and move. It also helps protect the delicate central nervous system that controls and coordinates every cell, tissue and organ of the body.

Subluxations of the spine, occur when two or more vertebrae become restricted and impede the body’s ability to communicate with itself. Subluxations during pregnancy can be caused by the changes taking place in your body as it prepares to support you and your new bundle of joy.

Changes such as weight gain in the abdomen, poor posture and rotation of the pelvis force the body to unnaturally adapt to additional stress placed on the spine. These changes negatively affect joint function and nerve communication throughout the body.

Chiropractors are trained to locate and correct subluxations by applying a gentle, targeted movement to the body’s spinal column–where and when needed–restoring proper joint function and improving nerve communication throughout the body. This non-invasive technique is commonly known as a chiropractic adjustment.

What are the benefits of chiropractic during pregnancy?

Millions of expectant mothers look to chiropractic for it’s safe, natural and drug-free approach to pain relief and prevention for a healthier, happier pregnancy.

Benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy could include:

Relief from back, neck or joint pain

Controlling symptoms of nausea

Reduction in time of labor and delivery

Prevention of a potential cesarean delivery

The weather is getting warmer, flowers are starting to appear with their vibrant colors, birds are chirping, and it's that time of year when so many people become overzealous and do way too much on the weekends.  From throwing a baseball with your children, starting a new exercise routine, or spending endless hours outdoors gardening.  This is what we call Weekend Warrior syndrome.  You wake up sore, stiff, and unable to move.  Sound Familiar?

This occurs so very often during nice weather because we all have so much to do and we all enjoy the warm changes in the weather and air, so we just need to be outside being active.  With this increased activity, people experience increased pain, soreness, stiffness, muscle strain, and neck and low back issues that resurface.

So when this happens, what is one to do?  How do you start to feel better?  Has anyone suggested chiropractic to you?  If not, then they should have!  With all of this increased activity, your spine may be subluxated (misaligned) and compromising the nerves that interact with your brain, which inevitably slows down the healing process.  Through gentle chiropractic adjustments, we are able to align the spine so that the signals being relayed through the brain to the body can function more optimally, that in turn will help the body heal and adapt to these new stressors from this past weekends activities.

So, the next time you go outside and realize the next day that you did too much, be sure to get in contact with your chiropractor, because we can help!

       Spring is here!  It is a gorgeous time of the year when the snow has finally melted, flowers are blooming, and kids can't wait to play outside after school.  Unfortunately, many of us associate spring with one dreaded thing that bog us down, make us feel groggy, and leave us desiring relief of our symptoms.  Allergies. 

            Allergies are our immune system overreacting to an allergen.  Why is it that two different people can be living in the same house, breathing the same air, drinking the same water, and eating the same food, yet only one of them suffers from allergies?  To answer that, let's first examine how our immune system works.  The job of the immune system is to keep you healthy by recognizing and eliminating bacteria, viruses, dust, pollen, and other microscopic debris from the body.  How well your immune system works depends on your nervous system, endocrine system, genetics, diet and even emotions.  When the immune system overreacts to a particular allergen, it creates histamines, which symptomatically present as runny noses and eyes, redness, irritation, and stuffy sinuses. 

            There is no cure for allergies.  Historically, the orthodox medical profession has done a decent job trying to control the symptoms, which is not the same as curing the cause.  Main drug of choice being anti-histamines which dry up the mucous membranes and help to control the symptoms, however can cause drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, restlessness and moodiness in children, blurred vision and confusion among other less common side effects.  Many allergy sufferers are constantly looking for new ways in lieu, or in addition to their current medical treatment for allergies.

            Chiropractic care has been utilized by thousands of Americans with allergies who often reported improvement in symptoms with regular care.  Just like mainstream medicine, chiropractic is not a cure for allergies.  Chiropractors locate, analyze and correct misalignments of the spine and reduce irritation to the nervous system.  This in turn allows the nervous system to communicate better with the immune system and in many cases reduces allergy symptoms and improves pulmonary function.  Speak with your chiropractor about how chiropractic adjustment can improve your quality of life!

Whether you’re suffering from chronic heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome or another digestive issue, you’ve probably spent more than your fair share of money on over-the-counter and prescription medications to alleviate your symptoms. While these drugs may provide symptom relieve, they do not treat the underlying cause of your digestive issues which may be stemming from a lack of communication between your body and brain.

Chiropractic care is extremely effective at helping issues related to digestion. Believe it or not, your digestive system is entirely linked to your nervous system, and your nervous system has complete control over various aspects of your digestive function. For example, the nerves in the thoracic and lumbar regions of your spine control the pace at which your body digests food. If any of the numerous nerves in your spine are functioning improperly, problems with digestion can easily arise.

Subluxations are misalignments in your spine that interfere with these nerves’ ability to properly interpret information. This can be related to the nerves responsible for your digestive system as well. As a result, ailments such as chronic acid reflux, upset stomach and constipation develop.

A chiropractor can safely and gently correct subluxations in your spine through chiropractic adjustments. This involves the chiropractor using her hands to gently guide your vertebrae back into their proper places. This will take the strain off of your nervous system and allow it to function at its optimum level once more, thus, helping your digestive issues subside. With chiropractic care, you may find that your symptoms are completely gone and you are no longer relying on medications to function.

So when your belly isn't feeling right, don't overlook your chiropractor in helping you achieve better digestive health.  It is so much more than just neck

and low back pain.  It is overall body health.