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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

Longevity and Performance

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One of the biggest stories during the Super Bowl is the longevity and performance of Tom Brady. He is redefining what is possible for athletes over forty. His nutrition and fitness routines along with his utilization of chiropractic care are well documented and vital to his success.

While healthy eating and fitness seem like common sense, so is the importance of a healthy spine and nervous system. This is the reason why so many players from the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles will be receiving chiropractic care all season and of course leading up to the big game.

Chiropractic care helps athletes in every sport heal quickly and optimize performance.

Many of the greatest of all time have set this precedent. Current Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice are huge chiropractic advocates. Emmitt Smith is the leading rusher in NFL history, a perennial Pro Bowler and three -time Super Bowl Champion. When he retired with over 18,000 yards, Smith said, “I thank God, my family and my chiropractor.” Chiropractic care helped speed his recovery time and function at the top of his game. His career lasted nearly six times longer than the average NFL running back.

Jerry Rice is considered the greatest receiver in the history of the NFL. His durability and work ethic are legendary. He initially sought chiropractic care following an injury on the field. After learning about the benefits of chiropractic care from his teammates he made chiropractic care a regular part of his training routine and lifestyle. He is a three-time Super Bowl Champion and today he is an official spokesperson for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. His high-level career also lasted six times longer than the average receiver.

Another chiropractic advocate, 2012 Hall of Fame Semi-finalist Roger Craig, was a pioneer in the NFL. He is the only player to ever make the Pro Bowl as a fullback and a halfback, the first player to rush and receive for over 1,000 yards in a single season -a feat that took 14 years to be duplicated, and he is the only running back in NFL history to ever lead the league in receptions. He is a three-time Super Bowl Champion and is the only NFL player to make the playoffs for eleven straight years.

Like many children, Roger began receiving chiropractic care at an early age and today, like the others, still receives chiropractic Lifestyle Care. In fact, Roger endorsed the #1 bestselling fitness book, The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout, which he recommends for athletes, young and old, because it stresses the importance of a healthy structure, spine and nervous system with chiropractic care as a core part of the training. This helps you maximize your performance, prevent injuries and support your longevity.

We’ve all seen videos of old time professional athletes who pounded their bodies into submission and became cripples when their career was over. This is not true for these three athletic superstars and it is no longer the norm as many professional, Olympic and youth sports programs have chosen to make chiropractic care a core part of their programs and many of the leaders of the Olympic sports medicine team today are chiropractors.

All three of these athletes took a tremendous beating over their careers which began in Little League and continued into the pros. Chiropractic care as a part of their lifestyle, training and overcoming injuries has helped show us all that you can play high-level sports and retain your health after you retire. We may even see you competing on Dancing With the Stars!

Don’t wait for an injury. If you’re an athlete or participate in an exercise program, be like these Hall of Fame and Super Bowl Champions. Make Chiropractic Lifestyle Care your top priority.

Problematic Painkillers

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Have you ever taken ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) or naproxen (Aleve/Naproxen) to alleviate pain? Well if so, you are like millions of others who often seek pain relief from these popular medications. These drugs as well as the Cox-2 inhibitors Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex are known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Serious side effects of NSAIDs have been known for a while. A December 1, 1998, story in USA Today noted that 16,500 people died from bleeding stomach ulcers brought on by NSAID use and that 80 percent of those had no symptoms prior to death. A Danish study published in the British Medical Journal in January 2001 found a strong link between the use of prescription NSAIDs by pregnant women and miscarriage.

However, it has been discovered recently that NSAIDs cause another life-threatening side effect: cardiovascular disease. This risk is so substantial that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning on April 7, 2005, urging the public to limit the use of NSAIDs and to strictly adhere to label directions. Furthermore, the FDA asked drug manufacturer Pfizer to voluntarily withdraw Bextra from the market and urged manufacturers of all other NSAID products to strengthen warning labels.

A study sponsored by The National Institute on Aging to determine whether Celebrex or Naproxen could prevent Alzheimer’s disease was halted when it became apparent that those taking Naproxen developed a 50 percent higher risk of heart attack and stroke than those taking a placebo. In fact Naproxen is so detrimental to one’s health that those who have been taking the over-the-counter version, Aleve, for nearly three years are now advised to stop using it, while those who want to start taking it are advised to limit their use to no more than 400mg per day for no longer than ten days.

People who have been taking Naproxen should be particularly concerned since the previous recommended daily intake was 1500mg. If you are taking an NSAID for pain relief you will want to consider finding a healthier option, as the drug you are taking could actually take your life. For millions of Americans, even those suffering from chronic arthritic pain, wellness chiropractic care is that healthier option. The health choices you make today will affect your quality of life tomorrow.

Live Longer and Stronger

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The US Census Bureau estimates that there over 80,000 centenarians living in the United States today. Statistics show that women usually live longer than men. The truth is, your body has the genetic potential to live to 100 and beyond. Being prepared to age gracefully, healthfully and successfully has never been more important than now. Every day we are faced with choices that contribute to our quality of life both now and in the future. One of the most important steps you can take to begin to live longer and stronger is to. . .

Stop Killing Yourself!
Heart disease, cancer and stroke are the three leading causes of death among women. Interestingly enough, they are also preventable by healthy lifestyle choices and routine checkups. Mark your calendar so you won’t forget mammograms, chiropractic visits, and other annual exams. Many women are more likely to be familiar with their family history. Let your doctor know what diseases and conditions are on your family tree. Being aware of this health history will help you and your health-care team build a plan to incorporate healthy habits in your life and the lives of your children.

Make Your Self-Care a Priority
When reviewing disaster plans of action, flight attendants on airplanes always instruct parents to fit themselves with oxygen masks first before helping their children. The lesson is simple. You can’t take care of others unless you take care of yourself first, at least in matters of health.

Today women are busier today than ever before. Demands are placed on them from every direction. More women are working and raising families, a dual role that invites incredible stress. These overbooked schedules tempt women to set aside self-care to handle other priorities such as families, careers, relatives, and communities.

Taking care of yourself will ensure that you will be strong enough to take care of others. Eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and low fat foods along with a moderate exercise schedule will help you maintain your weight and keep your mind and your muscles strong. Schedule regular chiropractic visits, make time for massages, take hot baths (with the door locked and the phone turned off), and consider a vacation getaway with only yourself. Make time to be healthy.

Lifelong Learning is Key
Studies show that maintaining an active lifestyle increases health and quality of life. People in their seventies are earning college degrees, publishing books, and starting companies. Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment, who at 122 was the oldest person ever documented, fenced, cycled, and rapped! It’s never too late to pick up a yoga mat, violin or paintbrush.

Starting today, make self-care and health-care choices that will ensure that each day will be your best, and encourage your family to do the same. After all, 100 years of healthy living is achieved one day at a time.

Performance Based Care

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Many of the top athletes and performers in the world think, train, and use chiropractic care differently. Let’s begin with their thinking.

Top athletes and performers believe that they are capable of accomplishing higher levels of success in business or athletic endeavors and they organize their life around these thoughts. They make eating decisions, training decisions and health care decisions around performing at very high levels rather than around mediocrity. Because they are committed to higher levels of performance, it is easier for them to draw a line in the sand and say no to things that reduce their potential while also saying yes to the things that help them reach their goals. They make these thoughts their lifestyle.

High achievers and performers also train differently than most people. They train for personal bests and record setting performances. They do not study to pass or get a C grade on a test. They get A+ ready through training, study, and whatever else is necessary for them to achieve higher levels.

This high performance training, which is built upon high performance thinking, is what separates high achievers from the pack. Average performers consider the sacrifice that top performers make too much to bear. High performers look at things differently. They believe that performing at less than your best is the unfortunate sacrifice.

When it comes to chiropractic care, the top athletes and performers take their Lifestyle Care to another level with Performance Based Care.

If you look at the Lifestyle Care Continuum, you will notice that, to the right under Lifestyle Care, the dots representing the frequency of visits get closer together. This is Performance Based Care. The goal is to never allow nerve interference to settle into your body for even a day. This type of care fine tunes your nervous system to fire at optimum efficiency at all times, to optimize the fluidity of muscle contractions and joint movements and to improve recovery time during extensive training.

In The 100 Year Lifestyle Workout book, there are numerous stories of professional, Olympic and youth sports champions who, through Performance Based Care, outperformed and outlasted the competition to win their medals and reach their goals.

NFL Super Bowl Champion, Roger Craig, credits regular chiropractic care for his professional athletic success. He believes the principle of Getting his ESS in Shape, Endurance, Strength and Structure, enabled him to reach the level of achievement he desired when he played for the San Francisco ‘49ers and it still keeps him active and performing at high levels today.

One of the top youth soccer coaches in the nation, David Eristavi, understands that the emphasis on the principles of the ESS, including chiropractic care, plays a key role in the health and recovery time of his players. As a former professional player whose team focused on endurance and strength training along with chiropractic care, he knows the importance of these principles to optimize the performance and longevity of his players.

You, too, are capable of higher levels of health and performance. Talk to your 100 Year Lifestyle Licensed Affiliate chiropractor and take your Lifestyle Care to the next level with Performance Based Care.