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chiropractic

Easy Hard or Hard Easy?

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The great philosopher Aristotle once asked, “What is the ultimate purpose of human existence?” He, among many other philosophers of his time, agreed that it was happiness. We all want great relationships, wealth and good health. We want these things because we believe that they will bring us happiness.

How many people do you know who are truly happy? Better yet, how many people do you know that are 80, 90 or 100 years old and are truly happy? Many people at these ages are sick, suffering or dissatisfied with their lives. If the ultimate purpose of human existence is to be happy, why are so many people sick, suffering and dissatisfied?

Jerzy Gregorek, a 62-year-old and four-time world champion in Olympic weight lifting, lives his life by the following principle: “Easy choices, hard life. Hard choices, easy life.” If you make your choices based off of what is easiest and most convenient, a harder life will follow. If you make your choices based off of what will give you the most satisfaction and growth for the long term, an easier life will follow.

Whether you like it or not, want to or not, you will probably live longer than you ever expected. Why not make the decisions today that will give you an easier, happier and more fulfilled life today and for the years to come?

Many people make what appear to be easy choices when it comes to their health and the health of their families and suffer long term consequences. For example,
– It appears to be easy to stay sedentary and not exercise.
– It appears to be easy to eat fast food.
– It appears to be easy to stay up late every night.
– It appears to be easy to take a drug to mask uncomfortable symptoms rather than address the underlying cause.

All of these ‘easier’ lifestyle choices can cause interference in your nervous system and directly affect the way you age. If you make these choices now because they appear convenient and easy, they can lead you down a path that is much harder in the future. Think of your parents and grandparents who may be 80, 90 or 100 years old. If they are sick and suffering, how different would their life be had they made healthier decisions when they were younger?

On the flip side, many other people choose to make what appears to be harder choices when it comes to their health and the health of their families.
– It appears to be hard to exercise consistently.
– It appears to be hard to eat well-balanced, whole-food meals and take the time to prepare food properly.
– It appears to be hard to get adequate amounts of sleep.
– It appears to be hard to consistently see a chiropractor for Lifestyle Care.

However, these people experience an easier life because they consistently make choices that are good for them today and the long haul. While these choices may appear to be harder, by making them daily habits, each choice will become easier and it will result in an easier life. As it says in The 100 Year Lifestyle, “learn to love the things that are good for you.”

Your 100 is coming, you make the call.

Centenarians are the fastest growing segment of the population. You and your family will probably live longer than you ever expected. Take care of your body now by exercising, eating right, getting rest and keeping your spine and nervous system in balance and well-adjusted so that you and your family can enjoy the active, happy and fulfilled life you deserve.

Contributed by Adam Coats, B.S.

Tennis Anyone

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The US Open Tennis Championship is one of the biggest tennis events in the world every year. Millions of avid tennis players and fans will be watching this prestigious tournament. While the grueling battles for every point can be awe-inspiring, they are also very hard on the body, spine and nervous system. It’s no wonder that many of the top tennis players utilize chiropractic care to keep them fit, healthy and on the court.

Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion has said, “Chiropractic gives me the flexibility I need to keep me in the game.” Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have also been known to utilize chiropractic care for faster healing, staying fit and performing at their highest level. In fact, top athletes in many sports rely on chiropractic care including Tom Brady, LeBron James, and Kerry Walsh.

Tennis is a great game for people of all ages to play. Kids, teenagers, adults, and senior citizens all enjoy being on the court. The sport brings friends, families, and even countries together, nurtures individual responsibility, encourages teamwork, and promotes physical, mental and social well-being. And best of all, tennis is fun.

As captain of the men’s tennis teams at both Fullerton High School and Cal State University at Fullerton, Dr. Kevin Joe was so excited about how chiropractic care helped him in his athletic career that he chose to become a chiropractor.

Lifestyle Care helps athletes by removing spinal subluxations, keeping the body functioning optimally. Chiropractic adjustments balance the spine and nervous system which can improve coordination and prevent injuries.

Unfortunately, too many athletes, tennis players included, suffer from imbalances and nagging injuries that affect their health and weaken performance. For the amateur or weekend player, it can take away from the enjoyment of the game.

Dr. Patricia McLean is another athlete that went from the court to career. As a practicing chiropractor in Maui, HI and Virginia Beach, VA, she won a National Championship with her amateur team. “Receiving Lifestyle Care definitely contributed to our championship run. Our team stayed healthy, recovered more quickly than our opponents and this gave us the competitive edge.”

In addition to chiropractic care, you can improve your tennis game by strengthening your Core. There is a Core Strength and Stability Test in The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout book that builds your Core Strength in just 2 ½ minutes a day. You can download this test from www.100yearlifestyle.com or by asking a member or our staff for a copy.

Don’t wait for a crisis to make your health a priority. Make the Critical Transition to Lifestyle Care and take your health, and your game, to higher levels.

I Just Woke Up With It

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Do you know someone that woke up with an injury or illness and attributed it to sleeping? It is not uncommon to hear people say something like, ‘I just woke up with it.’

While sleeping in awkward positions may trigger aches and pains in the morning, there are usually underlying conditions that are the cause of the problem.

Jacob Riis, esteemed reporter and colleague of Theodore Roosevelt once said, “look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before.”

The same principle holds true with your health, including the health of your spine and nerve system.

Spinal injuries known as subluxations, for example, can occur during the birth process, when a child is learning to walk, from childhood falls, toxicity and stress just to name a few. This condition can lie dormant for decades and suddenly show up one morning because the way you slept was ‘”the straw that broke the camel’s back.” And if the nerves are involved your entire body could be affected.

Your nervous system controls the function of every cell, tissue and organ in the body and adapts you to your environment. Brain function,heart rate, digestion, elimination, movement, strength, stamina, the ability to focus and adapt are just a few of the daily functions of your nervous system.

Research shows:

– 8-10 mm of pressure, the weight of a dime, can reduce spinal nerve transmission- CU

– Nerve compression can exist without pain- Spine.

– After only two weeks since an injury, the nerves begins to degenerate- T. Videman, MD

Other lifestyle habits that can affect your spine and nervous system are overeating, poor nutrition, slouching, excessive drinking, taking prescription or non-prescription drugs, or sitting too much.

Because it only takes a small amount of pressure to injure a nerve and a little bit of time for the degeneration to set in, regular chiropractic check-ups should be a priority.

Don’t wait until you ‘feel it’ because you may not have pain at first. Schedule an appointment today to begin enjoying your sleep, waking up refreshed and getting back to living your ideal 100 Year Lifestyle.

Article contributed by Emily Plasker, BA.

Performance 100

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How would you like to perform at 100 percent for 100 years? If you enjoy running or Crossfit, would you want to stop because of an injury? If you enjoy cycling, tennis, golf or any other sport don’t you want to be able to participate in that sport with joy over the course of your entire lifetime? Of course you would.

We are learning through the longevity potential of today’s hundred-year-old people, that this is a possibility. Within just a few years a new running program called the 100 year dash was started and it attracts people who are 90 and 100+ years old running the 100-meter-dash. The most recent winner was Julia ‘Hurricane’ Hawkins who set a record completing the 100 year dash in 40.12 seconds.

How you perform as you age will depend on how you take care of your body every day along the way. If you wait for a crisis or an injury to make your health a priority, then you have waited too long and will most likely suffer the consequences.

Performance 100

There are 5 Principles of 100 Year Lifestyle FitNESS that will help you perform at your highest level for a lifetime. They are:

Neurology = Function

Neurology comes first! Your nervous system controls and coordinates all of your body functions including your muscles, organs and systems. You must have a healthy nervous system for your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe and your balance to be stable. This is why many of the top athletes and performers in the world utilize chiropractic care as a central part of their fitness program.

Nutrition = Fuel

Your nutritional habits will fuel your life. Consuming a diet filled with organic fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, very low in sugar and processed foods, should be the way you eat as a lifestyle. Isn’t it time you get off the weight loss roller coaster, cleanse, and make healthy eating a daily habit? This will sustain you not just while getting into shape but will keep you healthier as you age.

Endurance = Longevity

Life is a marathon one day at a time. Through cardiovascular exercise which includes walking, running, bike riding and any activity that will increase your heart rate, you will strengthen your cardiovascular system. Start slow and steady, be consistent and as time goes by increase the frequency, intensity and duration of your endurance training. You will be amazed at how your body progresses.

Strength = Independence

If you want to be independent as you age, you must make your strength a priority today. Whether you use weights or do strength training through yoga, Pilates or other types of Plyometric training, it is important to keep yourself strong as a part of a lifestyle.

Structure = Activity

The health of your structure will determine the level of activity you can enjoy. Having a healthy, straight, strong spine is vital to your quality-of-life and fitness in the short and long-term. This is another reason why chiropractors have become a central figure on the healthcare team for millions of people, including the U.S. Olympic Team.

Being active and independent will be an important factor in your immediate and long-term happiness. Follow these Performance 100 principles and enjoy the quality of life you deserve.

Article Contributed by Dr. Eric Plasker

Environmental Stress and You

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Major storms and extreme weather seem to be hitting at an accelerated rate. For those in the path of a hurricane or in a flood zone, or for anyone dealing with the anxiety and hardship of evacuation or relocation, these events can have a variety of negative impacts on health.

In terms of your well-being, the stress you may feel from environmental disruptions can be debilitating. Traumatic stress and even PTSD sometimes occur in people who face natural disasters, but any victim of environmental interference can be subject to increased stress. A study in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology reported widespread psychological distress in response to Hurricane Opal in Florida.1

So how do you respond after a challenging event, and get your mind and body back on track?

The same study cited also reported that the people who recovered the most quickly from stress were those who were the most self-sufficient in caring for their own well-being. The inference is that getting beyond stress is often about how you adapt, and taking a proactive approach is a key to coping with and overcoming stress.

Following Hurricane’s Harvey and Irma, the Chiropractic Emergency Response Team (CERT) went on location to provide complimentary adjustments to the first responders and many of the storm victims. The results were fantastic and attracted local and national attention.

“The CERT are the first responders for first responders, and the recipients of the care appreciate the help,” said Kimberly Goreham, who is a CERT partner, along with founder Dr. Rick Wren.

How do you know if an environmental interference has increased your stress levels to the point where you should take action? You may experience typical symptoms of acute stress like headaches or nausea, sleep disorders, or flashbacks. These are signals that you are out of balance, and that it is time to take positive steps to regain your natural equilibrium and health.

Your body has an Innate Intelligence that keeps you healthy and helps you recover and heal from both physical and mental traumas. When the psychological and sometimes the physical stress of a powerful weather event like a hurricane taxes the resources of your body and mind, it can overwhelm you and interfere with your body’s built-in capacity to adapt. Poor diet, increased use of alcohol and other ill-advised coping methods will also negatively affect your nervous system and body as a whole. This is especially true when your nervous system has been previously compromised by conditions such as spinal subluxations, something the CERT addressed in their care of first responders.

When stressful events occur, take a look at your lifestyle, and seek out support from friends and loved ones, and holistic-minded health care providers like 100 Year Lifestyle Affiliated chiropractors who can help you bring your nervous system and life back into balance.

REFERENCES

1. The Trauma That Arises from Natural Disasters https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/somatic-psychology/201004/the-trauma-arises-natural-disasters.

Article contributed by Dr. Eric Plasker and The 100 Year Lifestyle.

What’s Harming Your Brain?

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Neurotoxins are everywhere. What exactly is a neurotoxin? Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a neurotoxin as “a poisonous substance that acts on the nervous system and disrupts the normal function of nerve cells”. The 7 neurotoxins listed below are only a few of the many chemicals we all encounter on a daily basis that can be detrimental to the health of our brain and nervous system. They should be avoided as much as possible.

Glyphosate aka Roundup (herbicide)

– Herbicide found in most agricultural crops like corn and soybeans, genetically engineered crops and grains
– Found to change brain chemistry, cause anxiety, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches, breathing difficulties
– Induce depression-like symptoms2

Aspartame (artificial sweetener)

– Artificial sweetener used in many low calorie, diet and “sugar free” products including sodas, sweets, yogurt, etc.
– Causes injury to delicate neurons in your brain, seizures, depression, vision problems, ADD, birth defects
– Induces dementia symptoms and memory loss5

Chlorpyrifos (pesticide)

– Pesticide commonly used on cotton, corn, almonds, and many fruit trees including apples and orange trees
– Cause dysfunction in nerve signals as well as headaches, nausea, dizziness, muscle twitching, loss of coordination, breathing difficulties
– Children are particularly vulnerable
– Linked to neurodevelopmental delays, and in some cases tremors.4

Aluminum (vaccinations)

– Found in most vaccinations, used to cause a stronger immune reaction to the vaccine
– Children are more susceptible to injury
– Experimental research has linked it with an increased risk of autoimmunity, long-term brain inflammation, and associated neurological complications that may be serious and lasts for the child’s lifetime.8,9

Fluoride (water, oral hygiene products)

– Found in toothpaste, mouthwashes, and nearly all bottled beverages, including water
– Can cause arthritic symptoms and thyroid issues
– High doses of fluoride has been shown to be a neurotoxin that can affect normal development in children.3
– Has an additive effect so that the more products we use containing it, the more exposure you’re getting

Synthetic Fragrances (self-care products)

– Found in thousands of products, including lotions, perfumes, body wash, laundry soap, candles, ect.
– Increases allergen and neurotoxic cascades1
– Possible relationship between maternal exposure and the development of autism6

Triclosan (cleaning products)

– Recently banned anti-bacterial product that has commonly been used in anything anti-bacterial – soaps, hand sanitizers, face wash, toothpaste ect.
– Contributes to anti-biotic resistant strains of bacteria
– Linked to thyroid issues, immune disruption, neurotoxicity, and cancer.7

These 7 neurotoxins can all damage and interfere with the function of your nervous system. It is a great idea to decrease exposure to these chemicals any time you can.

Buy organic produce when it is available. Eliminate sodas and artificially sweetened products from your diet. If you choose to vaccinate your children, think about altering the schedule to decrease the aluminum exposure in a single setting. Replace toxic household cleaners and self-hygiene products with non-gmo, organic products. Use a water filter and drink more water during the day to help flush out any toxins you encounter.

Avoiding toxins is not always possible. Chiropractic Lifestyle Care strengthens your body’s ability to process these toxins by strengthening your nervous system – the master controller of your body. Make an appointment today to improve the function of your nervous system and reduce the detrimental effects of exposure to these toxic chemicals.

Article Contributed by Michelle Coats, BS

Resources:

1. Anderson, R. C., & Anderson, J. H. (1998). Acute Toxic Effects of Fragrance Products. Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal, 53(2), 138-146. doi:10.1080/00039896.1998.10545975
2. Cattani, D., Cesconetto, P. A., Tavares, M. K., Parisotto, E. B., Oliveira, P. A., Rieg, C. E., . . . Zamoner, A. (2017). Developmental exposure to glyphosate-based herbicide and depressive-like behavior in adult offspring: Implication of glutamate excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. Toxicology, 387, 67-80. doi:10.1016/j.tox.2017.06.001
3. Choi, A. L., Zhang, Y., Sun, G., Bellinger, D.C., Wang, K., Yang, X.J.,… Grandjean, P. (2015). Association of lifetime exposure to fluoride and cognitive functions in Chinese children: A pilot study. Neurotoxicology and Teratology, 47, 96-101. doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2014.11.001
4. González-Alzaga, B., Hernández, A. F., Rodríguez-Barranco, M., Gómez, I., Aguilar-Garduño, C., López-Flores, I., . . . Lacasaña, M. (2015). Pre- and postnatal exposures to pesticides and neurodevelopmental effects in children living in agricultural communities from South-Eastern Spain. Environment International, 85, 229-237. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2015.09.019
5. Onaolapo, A. Y., Onaolapo, O. J., & Nwoha, P. U. (2016). Alterations in behaviour, cerebral cortical morphology and cerebral oxidative stress markers following aspartame ingestion. Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 78, 42-56. doi:10.1016/j.jchemneu.2016.08.006
6. Sealey, L. A., Hughes, B.W., Pestaner, J.P., Steinemann, A., D.G., & Bagasra, O. (2015). Environmental factors may contribute to autism development and male bias: Effects of fragrances on developing neurons. Environmental Research, 142, 731-738. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2015.08.025
7. Teplova, V. V., Belosludtsev, K. N., & Kruglov, A. G. (2017). Mechanism of triclosan toxicity: Mitochondrial dysfunction including complex II inhibition, superoxide release and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. Toxicology Letters, 275, 108-117. doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2017.05.004
8. Tomljenovic, L., & Shaw, C. A. (2011). Aluminum Vaccine Adjuvants: Are they Safe? Current Medicinal Chemistry, 18(17), 2630-2637. doi:10.2174/092986711795933740
9. Zhang, X., Zhang, X., Zhang, Y., Liu, M., Jin, J., Yan, J., . . . Dong, D. (2017). Mitochondrial uncoupler triclosan induces vasorelaxation of rat arteries. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B. doi:10.1016/j.apsb.2017.06.001