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Neuroplasticity and Nerve Regeneration

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How many of us know someone who has been affected by a brain injury or a disease like Autism, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, ALS, Alzheimer’s, or Dementia? Or how many of us wish we could just focus better, improve our brain power, and protect ourselves from neurodegenerative diseases? Science has long proclaimed that the human body could not regenerate nerves once they are lost or damaged. But, luckily for us Innate Intelligence finds a way to prove us wrong.

Doctors of Chiropractic have known for over 100 years that the Nervous System is able to regenerate. The new, hot scientific term for this age-old truth is neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. We have included many research links on this topic for you to explore. Adopting this mindset and embracing this reality is important to ensure your optimum health and quality of life now and as you age.

One of the most interesting things that came from these experiments is the relationship between spine function and neuroplasticity. It was found that “chiropractic care, adjusting the spine to restore spinal function, actually changes the way the brain functions*.” By allowing the nervous system to be free from inhibition we allow it to function at its highest capability which is to be self-healing and self-organizing.

Nutrition

There are nutritional ways to support neuroplasticity as well. Research on a mushroom family known as Hericium, specifically Lions Mane, has shown that this is actually very possible. Lions mane contains Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) which has the ability to stimulate new nerve growth, protect our nerves, and is a building block in brain health. Lions mane also helps the body to build up new myelin around the nerves which provides insulation and faster communication.

With the advent of more and more neurological diseases now is the best time to start taking proactive measures for your brain’s health.

A few More Researched Benefits:
1. Nootropic- boosting brain cognition and memory
2. Lowering “Bad Cholesterol” LDL
3. Raising “Good Cholesterol” HDL
4. Protects against Gastric Ulcers
5. Dissolves Amyloid Plaques in the brain- a leading cause of Alzheimer’s
6. Helps relieve Diabetic Neuropathy pain
7. Positively affect our Circadian Rhythms- our body’s internal clock.

Just like most things in life, this is not a quick fix. It will take a few weeks of continuous use to see the benefits. Adding this supplement to your routine along with Chiropractic lifestyle care can drastically improve the health of your brain and nervous system, ensuring you are living your 100 year lifestyle.

References:
*. Haavik, Dr. Heidi. The Reality Check.
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5237458/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24959591
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12843656
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26853960
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5133811/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4415746/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27544998

Reprinted from 100YearLifestyle.com, Author: Dr. Bradley Burgess elitecaw.com

Next Level Yoga Practice

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At 14 years old I was diagnosed with scoliosis during a routine health screening at school. Throughout the years following, mid to low back pain became an ongoing issue. As a hairstylist in my twenties, standing up for hours at a time on a concrete floor with minimal support led to excruciating back pain due to the compression of the spinal vertebrae. It was during this time I realized I needed to find relief.

I began my search for reprieve and natural healing for the pain I tolerated daily. I was unable to lie down, stand or even sit for extended periods of time without experiencing some sort of discomfort. At times my back pain would cause me to wake up from sleeping, unable to find comfort and go back to sleep. During this time I started seeing a chiropractor, however I did not remain consistent with the care. To be honest, I thought it was a scam having to see the chiropractor 2-3 times a week for at least 6 weeks. Keep reading and you’ll see why I was wrong.

While learning about the anatomy and physiology of the human body years later in massage school, I began assessing myself as a patient. This newfound knowledge and awareness guided me to yoga as a way to take control and be proactive in my healing process.

However, although I enjoyed practicing yoga, indoor cycling was my thing at the time. It made me feel good, but after realizing the postural misalignment cycling can cause on the neck, shoulders, and back, I decided to focus more on yoga. With consistent practice, I began to notice results. As I became more aware of the needs of my body, and more in-tune to the subtleties it was communicating to me, I found I really appreciated the feedback my body was providing with each vinyasa, and each breath before, during and after practice. It wasn’t until I fell down several flights of stairs at home, that I began experiencing consistent neck and hip pain. I knew I had whiplash and that my hip pain was injured from the impact as well. The pain was probably compounded from years prior of being in two car accidents where I was hit from behind, and a trampoline injury where I attempted (and failed) at doing a backflip and landed on my neck.

When I learned about The 100 Year Lifestyle, and the importance of a healthy spine and nervous system, I decided to give chiropractic care another chance and not settle for the limitations and discomfort that had built up over time. Their office was located in the same building as Nava Sen Spa (the massage studio that I work at).

Not only did I appreciate the wisdom, science and expertise, the purpose and benefits of chiropractic care became increasingly clear to me. I should have paid more attention early as I pleasantly surprised how much it resonated with me. After only a few adjustments, and now with Lifestyle Care, I continue to notice:

  • A decrease in overall neck and hip pain
  • No more numbness or tingling down my arm in certain yoga poses
  • More flexibility in my upper and low back
  • My hips adjust naturally
  • More openness in my chest doing heart openers
  • Greater lung capacity
  • Increase in flexion during backbends
  • More awareness of the subtle energies within my body
  • More ease in spinal twists
  • Greater energy flow between the energy centers (aka “chakras”) along the spine during meditation
  • An increase in my desire to practice more
  • More mental clarity, peace of mind and emotional stability
  • Faster recovery in Savasana
  • Better alignment in yoga poses
  • An increase in desire to consume better, healthier food

With these observations, I’ve decided that living my 100 Year Lifestyle is important to me and chiropractic care is one of the greatest investments for my health I could make. I wish I would have found this sooner! Now, I look forward to my adjustments and my body craves optimum alignment and healthy nerve supply! My 17 year old son, a high level high school basketball player, has had phenomenal results as well, healing quickly from a knee injury and getting back on the court quickly. He hasn’t had any issues, pain or swelling since getting started with care.

I am excited to continue exploring and discovering the many health benefits of practicing yoga supported by chiropractic care for many years to come. I no longer suffer from scoliosis, and I’m beyond grateful. Thank you to The 100 Year Lifestyle message and the education about the importantce of chiropractic care!! Not only am I pain-free, I’m a better yogi too!

It’s never too late to begin practicing yoga or take your practice to your next level. Along with chiropractic care and massage therapy, it can help you live your ideal 100 Year Lifestyle. Schedule your appointment today!

This article by Kisha Crawford reprinted from www.the100YearLifestyle.com.

Next Level Yoga Practice

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At 14 years old I was diagnosed with scoliosis during a routine health screening at school. Throughout the years following, mid to low back pain became an ongoing issue. As a hairstylist in my twenties, standing up for hours at a time on a concrete floor with minimal support led to excruciating back pain due to the compression of the spinal vertebrae. It was during this time I realized I needed to find relief.

I began my search for reprieve and natural healing for the pain I tolerated daily. I was unable to lie down, stand or even sit for extended periods of time without experiencing some sort of discomfort. At times my back pain would cause me to wake up from sleeping, unable to find comfort and go back to sleep. During this time I started seeing a chiropractor, however I did not remain consistent with the care. To be honest, I thought it was a scam having to see the chiropractor 2-3 times a week for at least 6 weeks. Keep reading and you’ll see why I was wrong.

While learning about the anatomy and physiology of the human body years later in massage school, I began assessing myself as a patient. This newfound knowledge and awareness guided me to yoga as a way to take control and be proactive in my healing process.

However, although I enjoyed practicing yoga, indoor cycling was my thing at the time. It made me feel good, but after realizing the postural misalignment cycling can cause on the neck, shoulders, and back, I decided to focus more on yoga. With consistent practice, I began to notice results. As I became more aware of the needs of my body, and more in-tune to the subtleties it was communicating to me, I found I really appreciated the feedback my body was providing with each vinyasa, and each breath before, during and after practice. It wasn’t until I fell down several flights of stairs at home, that I began experiencing consistent neck and hip pain. I knew I had whiplash and that my hip pain was injured from the impact as well. The pain was probably compounded from years prior of being in two car accidents where I was hit from behind, and a trampoline injury where I attempted (and failed) at doing a backflip and landed on my neck.

When I learned about The 100 Year Lifestyle, and the importance of a healthy spine and nervous system, I decided to give chiropractic care another chance and not settle for the limitations and discomfort that had built up over time. Their office was located in the same building as Nava Sen Spa (the massage studio that I work at).

Not only did I appreciate the wisdom, science and expertise, the purpose and benefits of chiropractic care became increasingly clear to me. I should have paid more attention early as I pleasantly surprised how much it resonated with me. After only a few adjustments, and now with Lifestyle Care, I continue to notice:

  • A decrease in overall neck and hip pain
  • No more numbness or tingling down my arm in certain yoga poses
  • More flexibility in my upper and low back
  • My hips adjust naturally
  • More openness in my chest doing heart openers
  • Greater lung capacity
  • Increase in flexion during backbends
  • More awareness of the subtle energies within my body
  • More ease in spinal twists
  • Greater energy flow between the energy centers (aka “chakras”) along the spine during meditation
  • An increase in my desire to practice more
  • More mental clarity, peace of mind and emotional stability
  • Faster recovery in Savasana
  • Better alignment in yoga poses
  • An increase in desire to consume better, healthier food

With these observations, I’ve decided that living my 100 Year Lifestyle is important to me and chiropractic care is one of the greatest investments for my health I could make. I wish I would have found this sooner! Now, I look forward to my adjustments and my body craves optimum alignment and healthy nerve supply! My 17 year old son, a high level high school basketball player, has had phenomenal results as well, healing quickly from a knee injury and getting back on the court quickly. He hasn’t had any issues, pain or swelling since getting started with care.

I am excited to continue exploring and discovering the many health benefits of practicing yoga supported by chiropractic care for many years to come. I no longer suffer from scoliosis, and I’m beyond grateful. Thank you to The 100 Year Lifestyle message and the education about the importantce of chiropractic care!! Not only am I pain-free, I’m a better yogi too!

It’s never too late to begin practicing yoga or take your practice to your next level. Along with chiropractic care and massage therapy, it can help you live your ideal 100 Year Lifestyle. Schedule your appointment today!

This article by Kisha Crawford reprinted from www.the100YearLifestyle.com.

Next Level Yoga Practice

by Leave a Comment

At 14 years old I was diagnosed with scoliosis during a routine health screening at school. Throughout the years following, mid to low back pain became an ongoing issue. As a hairstylist in my twenties, standing up for hours at a time on a concrete floor with minimal support led to excruciating back pain due to the compression of the spinal vertebrae. It was during this time I realized I needed to find relief.

I began my search for reprieve and natural healing for the pain I tolerated daily. I was unable to lie down, stand or even sit for extended periods of time without experiencing some sort of discomfort. At times my back pain would cause me to wake up from sleeping, unable to find comfort and go back to sleep. During this time I started seeing a chiropractor, however I did not remain consistent with the care. To be honest, I thought it was a scam having to see the chiropractor 2-3 times a week for at least 6 weeks. Keep reading and you’ll see why I was wrong.

While learning about the anatomy and physiology of the human body years later in massage school, I began assessing myself as a patient. This newfound knowledge and awareness guided me to yoga as a way to take control and be proactive in my healing process.

However, although I enjoyed practicing yoga, indoor cycling was my thing at the time. It made me feel good, but after realizing the postural misalignment cycling can cause on the neck, shoulders, and back, I decided to focus more on yoga. With consistent practice, I began to notice results. As I became more aware of the needs of my body, and more in-tune to the subtleties it was communicating to me, I found I really appreciated the feedback my body was providing with each vinyasa, and each breath before, during and after practice. It wasn’t until I fell down several flights of stairs at home, that I began experiencing consistent neck and hip pain. I knew I had whiplash and that my hip pain was injured from the impact as well. The pain was probably compounded from years prior of being in two car accidents where I was hit from behind, and a trampoline injury where I attempted (and failed) at doing a backflip and landed on my neck.

When I learned about The 100 Year Lifestyle, and the importance of a healthy spine and nervous system, I decided to give chiropractic care another chance and not settle for the limitations and discomfort that had built up over time. Their office was located in the same building as Nava Sen Spa (the massage studio that I work at).

Not only did I appreciate the wisdom, science and expertise, the purpose and benefits of chiropractic care became increasingly clear to me. I should have paid more attention early as I pleasantly surprised how much it resonated with me. After only a few adjustments, and now with Lifestyle Care, I continue to notice:

  • A decrease in overall neck and hip pain
  • No more numbness or tingling down my arm in certain yoga poses
  • More flexibility in my upper and low back
  • My hips adjust naturally
  • More openness in my chest doing heart openers
  • Greater lung capacity
  • Increase in flexion during backbends
  • More awareness of the subtle energies within my body
  • More ease in spinal twists
  • Greater energy flow between the energy centers (aka “chakras”) along the spine during meditation
  • An increase in my desire to practice more
  • More mental clarity, peace of mind and emotional stability
  • Faster recovery in Savasana
  • Better alignment in yoga poses
  • An increase in desire to consume better, healthier food

With these observations, I’ve decided that living my 100 Year Lifestyle is important to me and chiropractic care is one of the greatest investments for my health I could make. I wish I would have found this sooner! Now, I look forward to my adjustments and my body craves optimum alignment and healthy nerve supply! My 17 year old son, a high level high school basketball player, has had phenomenal results as well, healing quickly from a knee injury and getting back on the court quickly. He hasn’t had any issues, pain or swelling since getting started with care.

I am excited to continue exploring and discovering the many health benefits of practicing yoga supported by chiropractic care for many years to come. I no longer suffer from scoliosis, and I’m beyond grateful. Thank you to The 100 Year Lifestyle message and the education about the importantce of chiropractic care!! Not only am I pain-free, I’m a better yogi too!

It’s never too late to begin practicing yoga or take your practice to your next level. Along with chiropractic care and massage therapy, it can help you live your ideal 100 Year Lifestyle. Schedule your appointment today!

This article by Kisha Crawford reprinted from www.the100YearLifestyle.com.

Prenatal Chiropractic Care

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Pregnancy is a time of constant and exciting change in a woman’s physiology and overall life as her body prepares for the athletic event of birth. It is important for expecting moms to assemble a birth team to help guide them through these changes and optimize their experience.

In addition to choosing their birth provider, doula, lactation consultant and birth preparation classes, many women are realizing the importance of prenatal chiropractic care. Prenatal chiropractic care addresses the neuro-biomechanics of your pregnancy, which is essential for your body to be able to organically adapt to the physical and functional changes during every stage of this beautiful and natural process.

What does this mean for you?

Chiropractic checkups and adjustments, when necessary, can…

  • Balance the body and soft tissues of the pelvis, preparing your pelvis for an easier birth.
  • Align your pelvis to ensure that it is moving properly.
  • Reduce torsion and tension on the uterus and its supporting ligaments.
  • Allow for the pelvis to open wider during birth.
  • Ensure optimum nerve function.

Your nervous system controls the function of every cell in your body, including your uterus and pelvic muscles – the main muscles of labor.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy can also benefit your baby. The nervous system is the first system that forms in your baby during the 3rd week after conception. Since your nervous system communicates with your baby’s nervous system, proper function can contribute to better development. Balancing your pelvis also allows your baby the chance to have the most room to develop without physical restrictions to the growth of their cranium, spine and other skeletal structures. Also, this can help the baby move into the best possible birth position when it is their time to arrive.

All of these factors can contribute to a more natural birth as well as a significant decrease in dystocia and birth trauma caused by interventions.

Chiropractic care can help make your pregnancy and birth experience healthier and more enjoyable while helping to minimize the risk. No wonder millions of women include chiropractors as a vital member of their birth team.

Schedule an appointment for your family today.

Contributed by Dr. Emily Plasker, 100 Year Lifestyle Affiliate Chiropractor in Bend, Oregon

Opioid Crisis: Explosion and Solutions

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The Opioid epidemic is one of the most damaging health crises of our era.

According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control, between July 2016 and September 2017, the locations under study (across 45 states) had a 30 percent increase in Opioid-related fatalities. 1

Even overall life expectancy is now in decline, in part from the spike in deaths caused by Opioids, according to a staggering report by NPR in December.2 You probably know someone that has been affected by it.

One of the major factors driving the Opioid abuse epidemic is the frequency with which these potent and addictive drugs are prescribed by doctors. Through a series of mistakes, aggressive marketing, and poor judgment among medical professionals, Opioids like Oxycodone were deemed ‘safe,’ and distributed like candy to unsuspecting patients.

The results were predictable, but shocking nonetheless. Patients visiting their doctor for chronic back pain or taken to the emergency room after a mishap on the softball diamond, ended up addicted to a pernicious drug. The cycle, aided and abetted by drug companies, marketing firms, and often unsuspecting doctors, has exploded into an expanding public health nightmare, and a terrifying rise in addicted individuals. Yet despite the awareness at hand, it is a problem we will be combating for decades to come, and at a cost of many billions of dollars.

After a recent procedure for a root canal, one patient refused a prescription for hydrocodone no less than five times, and they still included the prescription in the take-home paperwork. With medical errors now the third-highest cause of death in the United States,3 incidents like this can further erode our faith in those entrusted with our welfare.

The Hippocratic oath has become the hypocritical. Something has to change!

According to @Dr. Jay Holder, the President of the American College of Addictionology and Compulsive Disorders, Addictionology is not a new field as the ACACD, www.ACACD.com, has been training chiropractors and other healthcare professionals for 28 years. Some policy makers are beginning to see the light, acting in response to intolerable human and economic costs. In West Virginia, where the Opioid crisis is rampant, and few families are untouched by its ravages, the state has recently mandated that in considering options for pain management, alternatives to Opioids— including physical therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, osteopathic manipulation, chiropractic care or pain management-be part of the equation. Discussing complimentary alternative practitioners, like chiropractors, with the patient is mandated prior to prescribing Opioids.4

Consequently, the National Drug Control Policy (@ONDCP) is taking political leaps towards the government analysis to the issues surrounding the Opioid crisis point and by providing evidence towards the need to increase the use of non-drug options as a first line of care to find safer and more effective solutions to addiction treatment recovery and prevention. Not really changing one drug for another. Part of the change that is needed is cultural and it starts with the way we approach our well-being and lives as a whole. We have to get away from the idea that there is a simple, one-step solution to problems. As consumers, we have been trained to believe that somewhere out there is a quick fix whatever ails us.

Pain has a place in the human organism; it can be a warning or a deterrent to injurious conduct. How we deal with pain is a choice. Rather than succumbing to pharmaceutical to turn off the pain, choose to attack the cause of pain and address the problem at its root. Instead of masking what our body is trying to tell us, we need to listen, and take action that addresses the underlying issue. To claim our longevity birthright, we have to make smart, holistic choices about our health and the way we live our lives each day and stop chasing the illusory notion that we can fix ourselves without investing in ourselves.

We will be delving deeper into these important and complex issues and the way they are affecting our society and our lives in a future article. For now, if you or someone you love is struggling with Opioid dependence, know you are not alone. There is help, and the first step, reaching out, is the most important one.

Currently, organizations like the Florida Chiropractic Association are holding panel discussions at their National Convention on this issue in front of thousands of doctors to create awareness amongst Doctors of Chiropractic who can provide real solutions and more importantly prevention on the ground. Organizations like the Chiropractic Society of Wisconsin has provided a video on the Opioid Crisis.

Our world is in desperate need of new health care and community leadership. We believe it is important to move away from being a drug culture to a new culture that nurtures human potential through every phase of life. It is certainly true that if you’re going to live to 80, 90, 100 years and beyond, then you are going to have to not die. If you are going to enjoy quality years, then avoiding drugs except as a very last resort is optimal.

Chiropractic care can provide a corrective answer for pain and all types of health problems. The Critical Transition to Lifestyle Care can help you function healthy and drug free throughout your lifetime. Schedule an appointment for you and your family members.

Don’t be afraid to get the help you need for yourself or a loved one in order to break your addictions. Make healthier choices today and enjoy a sensational century.

References

1 Report: All of U.S. Saw Opioid Overdose Rises, U.S. News & World Report, March 6, 2018.

LINK https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2018-03-06/cdc-report-nowhere-in-us-was-immune-to-Opioid-overdose-increases

2 Life Expectancy Drops Again As Opioid Deaths Surge In U.S.; NPR, December 21, 2017.

LINK: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/12/21/572080314/life-expectancy-drops-again-as-Opioid-deaths-surge-in-u-s

3 “Researchers: Medical errors now third leading cause of death in United States,” Washington Post, May 3, 2016

LINK: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/05/03/researchers-medical-errors-now-third-leading-cause-of-death-in-united-states/?utm_term=.9b3e4843313b

4 “West Virginia Governor Signs Opioid Reduction Act,” Mitchell News, April 8, 2018

LINK: https://www.mitchell.com/mitchellnews/id/1545/west-virginia-governor-signs-Opioid-reduction-act

Image “Combatting the Opioid Overdose Epidemic,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 30, 2017

LINK: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html