The boss just dumped more work on your desk, your kids have to be picked up late from practice tonight and you still need to get a gift for your niece’s 5th birthday party. It feels like every time you finally get a break, something else comes along and refills your stress load. It’s like constantly pumping air into a bicycle tire with no end in sight. If some air isn’t let out soon your inner tube’s gonna pop! Daily stress can have that effect on your nerves..
Your nerve system experiences the stress of everyday living like a bicycle tire unceasingly being pumped with air. It can only hold so much before it gets over inflated and something gives. That something is usually normal sleeping patterns, the ability to fight off colds and flu and innate disease prevention. But like an over inflated inner tube, releasing built up nerve pressure will help you avoid a potential blow out.
Regular adjustments act like the relief valve on an overinflated bicycle tire. Just a gentle push and PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.... all that pent up tension comes out! That’s why you feel so light and depressurized after a great chiropractic visit. The next time you think you’re “too busy” to come in for an adjustment, remember that’s the MOST important time to come in to get depressurized before something POPS!!! Until next time...
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Chiropractics 115th Birthday!
On September 18, 1895 the first chiropractic adjustment was given in Davenport, Iowa by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, (born a Canadian from Port Perry, Ontario) The first chiropractic patient was Harvey Lillard, a janitor in the building D.D. (as he was most commonly called) had his office (the Ryan building on the corner of Brady and 2nd Street in Davenport Iowa). Harvey had lost his hearing from a fall 17 years before meeting D.D. D.D. offered to check his spine for what appeared to be a misaligned spinal bone, that may have influenced the function of his hearing.
Within three days of that first adjustment, Harvey had his hearing completely restored, and D.D. had established himself in the eyes of the community as a healer. This is the true story of the first chiropractic adjustment. While the story appears miraculous, D.D. had been preparing himself for the opportunity that presented itself in the form of Harvey Lillard. Prior to that adjustment, D.D. had been practicing magnetic healing, studying anatomy and physiology, and studying the work of his contemporaries such as A.J.Still, the founder of Osteopathy.
From his studies, D.D. reasoned that since the nervous system was known to be the communication system in the body, interference to the nervous system would interfere with normal body function and homeostasis. Examining the anatomy of the body, he reasoned that due to the location of the spinal cord within the spine, and the departure of paired spinal nerves from the spinal cord through holes formed by two adjacent vertebrae, misalignments of those adjacent vertebrae would interfere with the function of those paired nerves. The first adjustment he gave was the first opportunity he had to test his theory in practice. The public response to the first adjustment was very enthusiastic.
The news spread very quickly, and people with very diverse ailments were responding to Palmer's new "hand treatments" - those with asthma, skin conditions, digestive problems, headaches, epilepsy, sciatica...the list went on and on. One of Palmer's early patients was Rev. Samual Weed, a scholar who took the Greek word for "hand", cheir, and "done by", praktos, and put them together as chiropractic, meaning, literally, "done by the hand."
Palmer began to research and refine the art, science, and philosophy of this new healing system. He is known as the "Discoverer" of Chiropractic. Within 3 years, the Palmer School of Chiropractic was started, and in its first class of 12 students, 6 were practicing medical doctors. However, the most important student in that first class was D.D.'s son, Bartlett Joshua Palmer. B.J. took over the school shortly after his graduation.
B.J. is often referred to as "the Developer" of Chiropractic, for his role in developing new techniques and for introducing the newly discovered X-rays for chiropractic diagnosis of the Subluxation. Given the modern perception that chiropractic is an effective treatment only for back or neck pain, it is significant that the first adjustment did not address pain of any kind. Chiropractic was founded as a health care system that has an impact on the entire body, and that foundation has allowed chiropractic to grow into the second largest health care system in this country that has over 50,000 practicing chiropractors adjusting over 5 million different people each year. Please remember that everyone needs to be free from subluxations so visiting local chiropractor may be the most important thing you can do!
Within three days of that first adjustment, Harvey had his hearing completely restored, and D.D. had established himself in the eyes of the community as a healer. This is the true story of the first chiropractic adjustment. While the story appears miraculous, D.D. had been preparing himself for the opportunity that presented itself in the form of Harvey Lillard. Prior to that adjustment, D.D. had been practicing magnetic healing, studying anatomy and physiology, and studying the work of his contemporaries such as A.J.Still, the founder of Osteopathy.
From his studies, D.D. reasoned that since the nervous system was known to be the communication system in the body, interference to the nervous system would interfere with normal body function and homeostasis. Examining the anatomy of the body, he reasoned that due to the location of the spinal cord within the spine, and the departure of paired spinal nerves from the spinal cord through holes formed by two adjacent vertebrae, misalignments of those adjacent vertebrae would interfere with the function of those paired nerves. The first adjustment he gave was the first opportunity he had to test his theory in practice. The public response to the first adjustment was very enthusiastic.
The news spread very quickly, and people with very diverse ailments were responding to Palmer's new "hand treatments" - those with asthma, skin conditions, digestive problems, headaches, epilepsy, sciatica...the list went on and on. One of Palmer's early patients was Rev. Samual Weed, a scholar who took the Greek word for "hand", cheir, and "done by", praktos, and put them together as chiropractic, meaning, literally, "done by the hand."
Palmer began to research and refine the art, science, and philosophy of this new healing system. He is known as the "Discoverer" of Chiropractic. Within 3 years, the Palmer School of Chiropractic was started, and in its first class of 12 students, 6 were practicing medical doctors. However, the most important student in that first class was D.D.'s son, Bartlett Joshua Palmer. B.J. took over the school shortly after his graduation.
B.J. is often referred to as "the Developer" of Chiropractic, for his role in developing new techniques and for introducing the newly discovered X-rays for chiropractic diagnosis of the Subluxation. Given the modern perception that chiropractic is an effective treatment only for back or neck pain, it is significant that the first adjustment did not address pain of any kind. Chiropractic was founded as a health care system that has an impact on the entire body, and that foundation has allowed chiropractic to grow into the second largest health care system in this country that has over 50,000 practicing chiropractors adjusting over 5 million different people each year. Please remember that everyone needs to be free from subluxations so visiting local chiropractor may be the most important thing you can do!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
What is Wellness Care Versus Medical care?
What’s the main difference between wellness care and standard medical care? Wellness care seeks to turn on the natural healing ability, not by adding something to the system, but by removing anything that might interfere with normal function, trusting that the body would know what to do if nothing were interfering with it. Standard medical care, on the other hand, seeks to treat a symptom by adding something from the outside – a medication, a surgery or procedure.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Creating Healthy Space at Home
There is nothing that says "home sweet home" quite as much as making your house a place that fosters great health. I believe that your motivation starts within the walls of your casa. After all, you have complete (or at least a good amount) of control as to what comes into your house and happens here AND this is where you are spending a good chunk of your time.
There is a big difference between a home that's filled with unhealthy habits and one that is dedicated to the best you possible. Here are a few tips to make sure your home is good for your health.
Clear Out a Space for Your Workouts. I don't care if it's a whole spare room or just a special corner in your otherwise cramped apartment. Make sure that you make your workout spot inviting. Invest in a good quality mat, a proper exercise ball and weights. Buy some cheap weights at a discount store. They don't have to be pretty ones. Put your family on notice that your workout spot is off limits to everyone.
Keep the Enemy Out of the House. If you can't resist chocolate, soda, chips or whatever your vice then don't test yourself. It's not called willpower; it's torture! Just make sure that the enemy is not living with you. Don't use the excuse that your kids and husband need to eat these things. What better favor could you do them than to get rid of sugary or processed foods?
Restock With the Good Stuff. Now that you actually have some counter space and fridge shelves that are free make sure you stock up on healthy treats and make them accessible to everyone in your family. Keep fresh berries in a bowl and cut up salad greens ready. If it's easy and convenient, you'll be more likely to make smart choices.
Make Your Bedroom Your Sanctuary. You need 7 to 9 hours of unbroken, quality sleep each night. Get rid of the TVs and computers. Keep your cell phone in the kitchen or out of the bedroom. Buy beautiful linens and comforters for your bed. Kick out the critters (children and pets) and then make sure you keep the room nice and cool for great restorative sleep. Get a Water Filtration System. You need to drink water (not soda or sugary juices), so make sure that your water is as clean and healthy as possible. You can also invest in an alkalizing system so you have ready access to pure water.
De-clutter the closet. Lose the clothes that you are holding onto for when you drop that last 10, 20 or 30 pounds. Guess what, you are in the process of burning that fat off now and as a reward you get NEW HOT INSTYLE TOGS not those ones that are so yesterday (or yesteryear…). AND more importantly, the minute something is too big, either get it tailored to fit your new svelte bod or give it away… never give yourself the option to gain weight!
Make your goals visual. In our Fast Track to Fat Loss Program we teach you to set inspirational goals and then get a photo of your fave celeb body and put your head on it and then post it everywhere to keep reminding you of what you want and where you are going. Carry one with you as well - think of her or him as your “protective armour of inspiration”.
There is a big difference between a home that's filled with unhealthy habits and one that is dedicated to the best you possible. Here are a few tips to make sure your home is good for your health.
Clear Out a Space for Your Workouts. I don't care if it's a whole spare room or just a special corner in your otherwise cramped apartment. Make sure that you make your workout spot inviting. Invest in a good quality mat, a proper exercise ball and weights. Buy some cheap weights at a discount store. They don't have to be pretty ones. Put your family on notice that your workout spot is off limits to everyone.
Keep the Enemy Out of the House. If you can't resist chocolate, soda, chips or whatever your vice then don't test yourself. It's not called willpower; it's torture! Just make sure that the enemy is not living with you. Don't use the excuse that your kids and husband need to eat these things. What better favor could you do them than to get rid of sugary or processed foods?
Restock With the Good Stuff. Now that you actually have some counter space and fridge shelves that are free make sure you stock up on healthy treats and make them accessible to everyone in your family. Keep fresh berries in a bowl and cut up salad greens ready. If it's easy and convenient, you'll be more likely to make smart choices.
Make Your Bedroom Your Sanctuary. You need 7 to 9 hours of unbroken, quality sleep each night. Get rid of the TVs and computers. Keep your cell phone in the kitchen or out of the bedroom. Buy beautiful linens and comforters for your bed. Kick out the critters (children and pets) and then make sure you keep the room nice and cool for great restorative sleep. Get a Water Filtration System. You need to drink water (not soda or sugary juices), so make sure that your water is as clean and healthy as possible. You can also invest in an alkalizing system so you have ready access to pure water.
De-clutter the closet. Lose the clothes that you are holding onto for when you drop that last 10, 20 or 30 pounds. Guess what, you are in the process of burning that fat off now and as a reward you get NEW HOT INSTYLE TOGS not those ones that are so yesterday (or yesteryear…). AND more importantly, the minute something is too big, either get it tailored to fit your new svelte bod or give it away… never give yourself the option to gain weight!
Make your goals visual. In our Fast Track to Fat Loss Program we teach you to set inspirational goals and then get a photo of your fave celeb body and put your head on it and then post it everywhere to keep reminding you of what you want and where you are going. Carry one with you as well - think of her or him as your “protective armour of inspiration”.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
6 Ways to Kick Start Your (Fading) Health Resolutions
There is a common bug that many people pick up. I call it "I Can't Do It-itis." It's that feeling that you've tried to eat healthy, tried to workout and tried to get your body in shape. Now, you think, "I can't do it." Stop and don't let this bug get into your system.
Here are a few ways or "booster shots" to jump start your plan and see real progress. There is nothing more motivating than the number on the scale going down or that special skirt or skinny jeans actually fitting you. Here's a few ways to get there.
1. Eat a big breakfast. Research shows dieters who get up to half their calories at breakfast lose more weight than those who spread those same cals throughout the day. Go for 400-600 cals at breakfast – and be sure to eat within an hour of waking up.
2. Start your day with a meal replacement shake. People who replace a meal with a shake lose more weight and KEEP it off, plus it is EASY & FAST and you can throw in some great nutrition into it as well.
3. Do a dairy free/gluten free trial. I'm finding that roughly 50 percent of my clients are dairy sensitive and 30 percent are gluten sensitive which causes gas and bloating, cravings and make them hold onto “false fat”. Test yourself by yanking these from your diet completely for 30 days.
4. Avoid the high fructose corn syrup. This is the worst of the sugars out there. It can cause leptin and insulin resistance which means it makes you hungrier AND a better fat storer. IF you eat it after exercise it can block fat burning. Don’t be fooled by fructose – save it for your fruit and Emergen-C packets!
5. Make friends with fat. Coconut milk and oil can help you burn more fat AND crush your hunger by raising the neuropeptide CCK that signals your brain that you are full.
6. Limit your fluid intake at meals to 4-8 ounces total to avoid making a STEW of your stomach acid which can impair protein digestion.
Here are a few ways or "booster shots" to jump start your plan and see real progress. There is nothing more motivating than the number on the scale going down or that special skirt or skinny jeans actually fitting you. Here's a few ways to get there.
1. Eat a big breakfast. Research shows dieters who get up to half their calories at breakfast lose more weight than those who spread those same cals throughout the day. Go for 400-600 cals at breakfast – and be sure to eat within an hour of waking up.
2. Start your day with a meal replacement shake. People who replace a meal with a shake lose more weight and KEEP it off, plus it is EASY & FAST and you can throw in some great nutrition into it as well.
3. Do a dairy free/gluten free trial. I'm finding that roughly 50 percent of my clients are dairy sensitive and 30 percent are gluten sensitive which causes gas and bloating, cravings and make them hold onto “false fat”. Test yourself by yanking these from your diet completely for 30 days.
4. Avoid the high fructose corn syrup. This is the worst of the sugars out there. It can cause leptin and insulin resistance which means it makes you hungrier AND a better fat storer. IF you eat it after exercise it can block fat burning. Don’t be fooled by fructose – save it for your fruit and Emergen-C packets!
5. Make friends with fat. Coconut milk and oil can help you burn more fat AND crush your hunger by raising the neuropeptide CCK that signals your brain that you are full.
6. Limit your fluid intake at meals to 4-8 ounces total to avoid making a STEW of your stomach acid which can impair protein digestion.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Allergies
Allergies are often treated with chiropractic care. Many allergic and asthmatic reactions are caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system and/or respiratory system. Researchers have found that the immune and respiratory systems depend on normal communication from the brain and spinal cord to control and coordinate their functions properly.
Therefore, if your neck is misaligned, it could cause an imbalance in your nervous system function. This upper cervical spinal joint irritation could possibly produce or exaggerate asthmatic and allergic symptoms. For example; many asthma and allergy sufferers experienced traumas such as head injuries, auto accidents, or falls which could have injured their upper cervical spines. The good news is that we can perform an upper cervical examination to determine if chiropractic care can reduce your allergic and asthmatic reactions. Schedule an appointment today!
Therefore, if your neck is misaligned, it could cause an imbalance in your nervous system function. This upper cervical spinal joint irritation could possibly produce or exaggerate asthmatic and allergic symptoms. For example; many asthma and allergy sufferers experienced traumas such as head injuries, auto accidents, or falls which could have injured their upper cervical spines. The good news is that we can perform an upper cervical examination to determine if chiropractic care can reduce your allergic and asthmatic reactions. Schedule an appointment today!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Ways to Save Money While Eating and Drinking Healthy
Since my mission is to empower the world to be proactive about their health by consistently implementing simple action steps, I realized that I needed to make sure that I removed as many “excuses” as possible. I realize that the two reasons I hear most often as to why people don’t take better care of themselves are time and money. Now, I do agree, when we tell you to switch to organic and buy wild fish and high quality grass fed beef it can definitely cost more. So here are some cost-cutting techniques to compensate for that increased and necessary expense.
1. Spin your salad.
Okay, so I broke down and bought a salad spinner (they have very cool ones at Target) because I realized that I was spending a small fortune on bagged lettuce that I still had to wash (yep, you do remember that e. coli scare, right?), so I really wasn’t saving any time and it was definitely costing more money. Actually, Leanne Ely and I were recording our Ultimate Meal Planning Guide and she was talking about which kitchen tools you must have and she went on a tear about salad spinners and I didn’t want to admit that I didn’t have one!
2. Go to your local farmer’s market.
Go to your local farmer’s market and get to know your local growers. Many growers use organic growing principles but don’t have the $$$ to spend to get the organic “label”. This is also great because it ensures that you are buying local and seasonal which means fresher, more nutritious food.
3. Pack your own.
I carry a safe drinking bottle with me to fill out with filtered water on my travels – no more $4 plastic water bottles at the airport for me. Plus, I always keep PaleoBars with me so I have emergency food. The last time I forgot I ended up having to spend $9.50 for a small bag of turkey jerky at the airport. I also travel with nuts, apples and jerky so I don’t get caught empty handed and have to choose some high cost, low nutrition option that will hurt my body and my bank account.
4. Go simple.
Okay, I admit that I do have a daily Starbucks habit, but I have an Americano (half decaf/half caf) which is far less than those gourmet coffee drinks. Plus I usually end up working there for an hour or so, so I justify it as paying office rent . If you are having one (or more…) of those $4 gourmet coffee drinks daily, switch over to green tea, an Americano or coffee and look at how much money you save over the month.
5. Stock up.
When your local grocer is having a sale on grass fed beef, free range chicken, organic olive oil, etc, stock up! And the same goes for those coupons. I always laughed at them but the ones they hand me at the store are usually for things that I am already buying so I now carry them in my wallet. BTW, in the spirit of saving money, I have decided that we are going to have a 24-hour “Buy 3, Get One Free” Stock Up Sale on our shakes, bars and supplements soon, so stay tuned for that.
6. Brew your own.
Have you checked out how much they charge for organic iced green tea in plastic bottles (so you are paying for toxic phthalates from the plastic too) at the store? Our local grocery sells it for $5 per quart of brewed tea whereas I can make a gallon for $5 worth of organic tea bags. My favorite green tea of all is Japanese Cherry from Coffee Bean -- it makes amazing iced green tea.
You’ll be amazed at how much you can actually save each month by following these simple tips (easily $100 to $200 each month). Finally, there are the items that you want to spend all that saved money on: high quality cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, wild fish and grass fed beef.
1. Spin your salad.
Okay, so I broke down and bought a salad spinner (they have very cool ones at Target) because I realized that I was spending a small fortune on bagged lettuce that I still had to wash (yep, you do remember that e. coli scare, right?), so I really wasn’t saving any time and it was definitely costing more money. Actually, Leanne Ely and I were recording our Ultimate Meal Planning Guide and she was talking about which kitchen tools you must have and she went on a tear about salad spinners and I didn’t want to admit that I didn’t have one!
2. Go to your local farmer’s market.
Go to your local farmer’s market and get to know your local growers. Many growers use organic growing principles but don’t have the $$$ to spend to get the organic “label”. This is also great because it ensures that you are buying local and seasonal which means fresher, more nutritious food.
3. Pack your own.
I carry a safe drinking bottle with me to fill out with filtered water on my travels – no more $4 plastic water bottles at the airport for me. Plus, I always keep PaleoBars with me so I have emergency food. The last time I forgot I ended up having to spend $9.50 for a small bag of turkey jerky at the airport. I also travel with nuts, apples and jerky so I don’t get caught empty handed and have to choose some high cost, low nutrition option that will hurt my body and my bank account.
4. Go simple.
Okay, I admit that I do have a daily Starbucks habit, but I have an Americano (half decaf/half caf) which is far less than those gourmet coffee drinks. Plus I usually end up working there for an hour or so, so I justify it as paying office rent . If you are having one (or more…) of those $4 gourmet coffee drinks daily, switch over to green tea, an Americano or coffee and look at how much money you save over the month.
5. Stock up.
When your local grocer is having a sale on grass fed beef, free range chicken, organic olive oil, etc, stock up! And the same goes for those coupons. I always laughed at them but the ones they hand me at the store are usually for things that I am already buying so I now carry them in my wallet. BTW, in the spirit of saving money, I have decided that we are going to have a 24-hour “Buy 3, Get One Free” Stock Up Sale on our shakes, bars and supplements soon, so stay tuned for that.
6. Brew your own.
Have you checked out how much they charge for organic iced green tea in plastic bottles (so you are paying for toxic phthalates from the plastic too) at the store? Our local grocery sells it for $5 per quart of brewed tea whereas I can make a gallon for $5 worth of organic tea bags. My favorite green tea of all is Japanese Cherry from Coffee Bean -- it makes amazing iced green tea.
You’ll be amazed at how much you can actually save each month by following these simple tips (easily $100 to $200 each month). Finally, there are the items that you want to spend all that saved money on: high quality cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, wild fish and grass fed beef.
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