Blog Archives

one size doesn't fit all

29/11/2014

Your adjustment will be tailored to meet your individual needs.

You may have noticed that from one visit to the next, your adjustments all seem the same. “Seem” is the key word!

To those without a chiropractic degree and professional experience, the timing, angle, force and intent may appear to be the same on each visit. Even more inaccurate is the assumption that all practice members are adjusted in the same way. Not true!

Every Chiropractor Is Different
There are many tools available to assist in an evaluation of your spine on each visit. These tools may include skin temperature readings along your spine, leg length measurements, posture, range of motion or even a high-tech tool called surface electromyograph. These and other objective measurements, combined with years of training and experience determine the care you receive on each visit.

That’s just the start. Your care is also based on a highly refined sense of touch. “Feeling with the hands” by gently pressing on muscles and spinal joints is called palpation. This form of ultra-sensitive touch provides volumes of information about joint stability, function and the approach that should be used. Nothing, not even an observant spouse or friend who accompanies you on your visit, can substitute for this special form of experience.

Individualized Care Just for You!
Your care is unique and your adjustments are tailored specifically to your individual needs. Your adjustments are unlike anyone else’s. That’s just one reason why we think you’re so special!

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How good is your pillow?

27/11/2014

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You sleep eight hours a night and wake up with a sore neck, feeling like your get-up-and-go, got up and went! Did you ever think that your pillow might have something to do with it?

Does your pillow support the natural forward curve in your neck?

While a good night’s sleep starts with a quiet dark room and a comfortable mattress, how you sleep on that mattress really does matter. The muscles that support your neck and back during your waking hours need to get the proper rest to be able to do their job each day. And your pillow can play an important role.

As you might expect, the best position for sleep is lying on your side or in the fetal position because it helps maintain the natural S-curve in your spine. Sleeping on your stomach arches the spine and makes the back and neck muscles work overtime, forcing your head to one side or the other all night long.

Imagine walking around all day, only looking to your left!

Not good.

If you’re a “stomach sleeper” and find it a difficult habit to break, what some have done is sewn a tennis ball or some other lightweight object, mid-torso on the front of their sleeping clothes. It’s not a fashion statement, but it can help break you of the habit.

Then, based on your sleeping position, we can have a little pillow talk on your next visit.

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Chiropractic education

23/11/2014

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In many ways, the education today’s chiropractic doctor receives is comparable to what a medical practitioner receives.

These days, the education that a chiropractor receives is quite similar to what medical practitioners receive.

In fact, a recent study says that chiropractic and medical curricula are “more similar than dissimilar.” Some chiropractic colleges require a Bachelor’s degree before enrollment. A doctor of chiropractic’s training generally requires a minimum of five years of college study.

Obviously, medical doctors receive additional training in pharmacology and surgery, whereas chiropractors focus more on physiology, pathology and spinal adjusting techniques.

After passing board examinations and state licensing requirements, today’s chiropractor, like all types of doctors, must attend continuing education classes for relicensure and to stay current on the latest scientific research.

SOURCE: Classroom hours based on the review of curriculum catalogs from eleven chiropractic colleges and twenty-two medical schools in the United States (1996).

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Aqua vitae

19/11/2014

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Good. You’re exercising and drinking enough water to give your body the fluid it needs to properly conduct virtually every bodily function. But what kind?

Tap Water

What kind of water are you consuming?

Sure it’s convenient, but what’s in it? Unless you enjoy well water that is tested regularly, you can’t be sure what’s in today’s municipal water supplies. Besides the chemical taste that comes from using chlorine to kill bacteria, the tap water in your home can contain trace amounts of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and minute amounts industrial chemicals.

Bottled Water

Usually of better quality, bottled water comes from many sources. Normally it is labeled as having come from a particular source, such as a spring, glacier, spa or even a filtered and ozonated public water supply. Even though consistent labeling regulations are not in place, read the label.

Mineral Water

This is a type of spring water that means that the mineral content of the water has not been altered. Plus, to be called “natural spring water” it cannot be extracted from a spring, but must flow freely from its source and bottled at that location.

Sparkling Water

This is water with dissolved carbon dioxide, either from its natural source or added during the bottling process. Interestingly, carbon dioxide is a waste product that your body removes with each breath. Carbonated beverages (especially with added sugars!) may taste good, but aren’t very good for you.

Distilled Water

This is the purest form of water that is collected from condensing the steam from boiling water. Most of the minerals and pollutants have been left behind, leaving a tasteless, acidic liquid. Absent from distilled water are the important electrolytes that are essential for proper function.

Drinking enough of the right kind is important for good health.

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Good stress!

14/11/2014

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Good stress can heighten your sensory acuity and enhance performance.

Whenever we think of “stress” we usually think “anxiety.” But is there such a thing as “good” stress?

Stress is the result of a sudden release of hormones which are activated by our body’s natural “fight or flight” response. This response is triggered when we are about to have a car accident or when we perceive some type of immediate (or imagined) danger. Your adrenaline starts pumping, your heart starts to race, your blood pressure elevates and all your senses are put on alert. The “rush” that you feel helps you to avoid potential danger.

It can also sharpen your skills.

Do you know anyone who always waits until the last minute to do things? They say things like, “I function better under stress.” What do they mean when they say that? They enjoy the burst of energy they experience when a deadline is fast approaching. They find that same release of hormones to be stimulating when it is put to useful purpose – such as delivering a work report on time.

Consider some of the recent research that points to the “positive” influence of stress on the body:

Short bursts of stress hormones can strengthen the immune system and may protect against diseases associated with aging, such as Alzheimer’s
Elevated stress levels prior to surgery increase the chances that a patient will have a better recovery
Stress reduces estrogen production in the body, which may help to prevent breast cancer
A research study done at Johns Hopkins concluded that children of mothers who had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol during pregnancy were developmentally ahead of children born to women with lower levels of this hormone

Careful! Long-term stress is debilitating to the body and weakens the immune system. A person who has experienced a loss, such as the death of a spouse or child, a divorce or the loss of their job may suffer from chronic long-term stress that wears them down.

If you are experiencing long-term stress, you’ll want to eat right, get enough sleep, exercise and keep to your regular chiropractic care schedule. Chiropractic helps your body cope with some of the negative effects of stress – to keep you healthy and functioning at your best. So… when you’re stressed out – remember to drop in!

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a recipe for common flu

14/11/2014

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are germs the enemy?

13/11/2014

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Did you know that germs by themselves are not always bad for your body?

Many have been raised to believe that germs will make us sick, but that’s only partially true. There are many good types of germs, or bacteria, that benefit the body.

For instance, that lactobacillus acidophilus in your yogurt is a good “gut” germ that aids in digestion.

Other germs are harmful, but they need a hospitable host to allow them to thrive and cause illness. When our bodies are weak due to poor nutrition, lack of sleep or nervous system interference, they are the perfect breeding ground for germs that cause colds, flus and a variety of other ills.

Regular chiropractic care, along with our advice on healthy eating, exercise and stress-free living, may help to build a strong defense against unwanted germs. Taking a proactive approach to your health means that “bad” germs won’t thrive, but you will!

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one size doesn't fit all

How good is your pillow?

Chiropractic education

Aqua vitae

Good stress!

a recipe for common flu

are germs the enemy?

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