By now you know that your brain, spinal cord and all the nerves of your body control and regulate every cell, tissue, organ and system. Your brain sends nerve messages down the spinal cord, and then out from between each spinal joint to every part of your body.
Beat the heart! Secrete enzymes! Inhale! Exhale! Perspire! More stomach acid! Blink!

Then, each organ and tissue originates its own messages back to the brain, confirming that the instruction was received and acted upon.
The integrity of this feedback loop is vital if you want to be healthy.
These nerve messages to or from your brain can get scrambled or distorted. It happens more often than you think. We call these subluxations. And chiropractors are the only licensed professionals who detect and reduce subluxations. If you know someone who isn’t enjoying optimal health, he or she probably has subluxations. Urge them to give us a call.
 

For years, you’ve heard that sunbathing is bad for you and that you should avoid it at all costs. That is, unless you have to be out for some reason in the noonday sun, and then – you better use some ultra-high SPF sunscreen and wear a hat. Otherwise, you are setting yourself up for developing the most deadly form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma. Why, even the name sends shivers down your spine.

So, when warmer weather arrives, many people become hermits, rather than risk sun over-exposure and the wrinkly skin and inevitable cancer they believe will surely result. But is this wise?
Believe it or not, the sun can actually be good for you. Even U.S. scientist Richard Setlow, who initially warned of the dangers of sun exposure and increased risk of skin cancer now says, “Not so fast!” It appears that the benefits of moderate sun exposure may actually outweigh some of the risks. The key word here is “moderate.”

Our bodies need Vitamin D and sunlight provides a natural source of it. Vitamin D protects against deadly forms of internal cancer, including those of the breast, lung, colon and prostate. It also is a key vitamin in the prevention of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis and a fundamental ingredient for bone health.

So, how do you minimize the risks of external malignant melanoma, while soaking in enough Vitamin D to minimize the risks of developing these other serious internal conditions?

Moderation is the key. Spend 20 minutes in the sun, with your hands, arms and face exposed, to get the necessary daily dose of Vitamin D. If you remain any longer, wear a hat and apply high SPF sunscreen frequently. A good rule of thumb is to spend time outdoors when your shadow is longer than your height. During the cooler months of the year, increase your Vitamin D intake with supplements and foods, such as fish and liver.

Scientists are also being challenged to create better sunscreens that continue to filter out the damaging radiation (UVA rays), while allowing more Vitamin D-stimulating radiation (UVB rays) to soak through the skin. Until then, moderation is the key.

Physical therapy is designed to strengthen muscles, improve balance and increase mobility.

Members of the traditional medical community often recommend physical therapy. This usually involves some type of exercise or repetitive motions designed to strengthen muscles and improve mobility.

There is no question that physical therapy has its place, especially during the recovery following surgery or after long periods of inactivity.

However, if the therapist is unaware of vertebral subluxation and its effects, physical therapy may inappropriately exercise a malfunctioning spinal joint. Strengthening associated muscles rarely corrects subluxations. Plus, the additional wear and tear can actually make the problem worse!

Other forms of physical therapy may be more passive in nature, such as inter-segmental traction, electro-muscle stimulation, ultrasound, cold laser and other devices. Ask if these forms of treatment are appropriate for your particular health problem.
 

Picture yourself training for a 10K race. Or a marathon. Because of your training and preparations you finish the race with a better time than you imagined. Congratulations!

Then you decide to stop training. After all, you’ve reached your goal.
Do you think your body will maintain that strength and endurance? Of course not.

Spinal health works much the same. That’s why many choose to remain on some type of maintenance or wellness care to help them stay well after they get well.

That’s why you might want to think of your chiropractic care as a long-term lifestyle choice, rather than a temporary “diet.” Because the results you enjoy are more likely to stay with you if you stick to your “training schedule.”

If you or someone you know has fallen into the “post-race slump,” contact us. We’ll help your body return to optimal function so you can be your best every day.