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Treating Symptoms and Conditions

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Every day we turn on the television or read an article online to find out there is a new treatment for our condition. The list of treatments that temporarily alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms we are feeling such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, stomach aches, fever, skin rashes, etc. is endless.

While these treatments may help us feel better in the moment, all too often the symptoms return right after the treatment is stopped. Many people are told they must take a medication forever, yet over time their body adapts to the medication and the uncomfortable symptoms return with a list of serious and life changing side effects that can even be worse than the original problem.

What if you began to look at your symptoms and conditions in a different light and took a different approach? What if your body is trying to tell you that it’s time to resolve the underlying cause of your symptoms and empower your body to heal itself?

When you are ready to address the cause of your condition, it is wise and effective to look to the master control system of the body first, the central nerve system.

Your central nerve system controls and coordinates every function of the human body, including every organ, tissue, and cell. It is essential that your nerve system communicates properly with the body to promote healing, ensure health and adapt you to the environment. Whether it’s digesting your lunch, getting rid of a seasonal cold, or reaching your fitness goals, your central nerve system must be on the job and functioning at optimum levels.

Dr. Irvin Korr holds a PhD in Neurophysiology and dedicated five decades of his life to understanding the central nerve system. Dr. Korr found that areas of the spine not properly functioning create interference in the central nerve system. This interference caused decreased immunity and malfunctions in digestion, infertility, focus, attention, and energy.

Too many people, and healthcare providers for that matter, address symptoms without taking a deeper look at the cause of your problem. We understand and use a state of the art approach to address the function of your nerve system.

If you have a nagging symptom, chronic condition, or are looking to improve your health and reach peak performance levels, today is the day to make an appointment for a chiropractic evaluation. And when you do, don’t just take the symptom treatment approach. Make the Critical Transition to Lifestyle Care so you can begin living your best life every day instead of wondering how your symptoms will disrupt your life down the road.

If someone you know is struggling with unresolved symptoms and they are ready for a more permanent solution, refer them to us. We’d be happy to meet with them and discuss how chiropractic may help them heal and live their ideal 100 Year Lifestyle too!

Contributed by David Lutz, DC and Dr. Eric Plasker

What Happens When You Stop?

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“Your body is a reflection of your lifestyle.”
Outwardly, this is obvious to us. Bodybuilders are easily recognized, as are yogis and other athletes. Even when we observe those who meticulously groom themselves or those who decline to subscribe to grooming standards, there is a “lifestyle” and values associated with the behavior. We are creatures of habit, as they say, and what we choose on a daily basis affects our long-term outcomes, even if the effects aren’t as outwardly apparent.

Continual chiropractic adjustments have already been shown many times to increase health due to the ability to increase positive neuroplasticity.1 “In the past ten years, researchers have objectively demonstrated that spinal adjustments can change aspects of nervous system function including muscle reflexes, reaction time and the speed at which the brain processes information.” Chiropractic Lifestyle Care ensures your body’s potential to experience your longevity with a nerve system that is continually optimized.

Across all health platforms, research has continually supported the importance of lifestyles and habits that foster health, instead of those that foster inactivity, disease and negative neuroplasticity, loss of brain function.2,3 When it comes to exercise, research published in the journal Frontier in Aging Neuroscience revealed that endurance runners who skipped workouts for 10 days had reductions in blood flow to their brain.4 Just like we cannot expect to eat healthy for one week and expect those effects to last a lifetime, we cannot expect to receive chiropractic care for a few visits or a couple of weeks and expect our nervous system to be optimized for the rest of our lives, especially in the high-stress world we live in today.

The 100 Year Lifestyle is about developing and nurturing habits that will ensure your health through your 100th birthday and more. Abandoning the consistent care of your spine and nervous system as a part of your lifestyle can result in a return to what has become known as the “standard” aging process. The brain and nerve system is like the rest of your body: when you don’t use it consistently, it assumes you have no more need for these abilities. Therefore, the body uses energy elsewhere, allowing the ill-used brain to atrophy and shrink. Due to this physiological adaptation, the normal aging adult experiences a decline in information processing speed in the brain, affecting all nervous system processes, including, but not limited to, motor function, joint function, memory, cognitive quickness and slowed autonomic responses to homeostatic changes.3

Instead of allowing the nervous system to stagnate, lose speed and function, utilize chiropractic Lifestyle Care to keep your spine and nervous system well adjusted. You will enjoy the benefits of the care today and you will appreciate them even more as you age.

Works Cited:

1. Murphy, Dr. Bernadette. Chiropractic and Neural Plasticity. University of Auckland 2003. https://spinalresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Factsheet-LG2003-6.pdf
2. Schuster, Tonya et al. Wellness Lifestyles I: A Theoretical Framework Linking Wellness, Health Lifestyles, and Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2004. Vol. 10, No. 2; pg 349-356.
3. Vance, David E. et al. Neuropsychology and Cognitive Health in Healthy Older Adults. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services 2012. Vol. 50, No. 6; pg 30-37.

Pilates, Balance and Chiropractic

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The health of your brain, body and mood is dependent on the health of your spine! Neurology and structure are the bookends of fitness, allowing for optimal endurance, strength and flexibility.1

Alignment and Overall Health

Certified PMA Pilates Instructor and owner, Deb Mandeville-Bowen, of Bend Pilates in Bend, Oregon says, “Pilates increases flexibility, strength, balance, lung capacity, endurance, bone density and energy while developing body awareness.” A research study on Pilates also found that a 60 minute Pilates exercise program improved mood in sedentary women and improved their psychological health after only ten weeks of exercise.2

Core Strength and Alignment

Lifestyle chiropractic care and Pilates enhance the benefits of each. Chiropractic adjustments optimize your neurology and help balance your structure. Regular and consistent lifestyle chiropractic care will accelerate your overall body results from your Pilates routine.

Strengthening and lengthening your core muscles with a regular Pilates routine provides postural support and reduces stress on the spine and weight bearing joints. With a strong and balanced support to your frame, your entire body moves better and maintains alignment longer. Pilates exercises work deeply in the body and mind through concentration, breathing and controlled movement. This allows energetic alignment between the mind, body, and breathing patterns.

Conditioning and Core Strength

Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s and focuses on the development of core musculature, including the abdominal muscles, the low back, inner and outer thigh and gluteal muscles.3 A personalized Pilates workout engages smooth, integrated movement patterns and increases strength and flexibility.

A research study was performed on active middle-aged men and women engaged for just a few weeks in a Pilates exercise. The results were increased abdominal endurance, hamstring flexibility, and upper-body muscular endurance.4 Muscle strength is imperative to the natural aging process through improvements in everyday body movement, gait, balance and posture.5

Chiropractic adjustments align the spine, improve range of motion, posture, and work deep in your neurology to allow proper communication between the brain and the entire body. Roger Sperry, a Nobel prize winner on brain research, found that 90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by movement of the spine. Misalignments and restricted motion in the spine, called vertebral subluxations, cause interference in the nervous system and increase stress hormones in your body, leading to a variety of dysfunctions, including decreased immunity, digestion problems infertility, lack of focus, and low energy.6

Chiropractic adjustments restore your body to its natural rhythm in so it is better able to adapt to stress and maintain health. Research has revealed that chiropractic adjustments increase plasticity, or re-wiring, in the brain which allows your brain to adapt to the experiences of life at any age. Get your structure checked today to optimize your fitness routine and overall health!

References:
1. Plasker E. The 100 Year Lifestyle. 1st ed. Avon, Mass.: Adams Media; 2007.
2. Tolnai N, Szabo Z, Koteles F, Szabo A. Physical and psychological benefits of once-a-week Pilates exercises in young sedentary women: A 10-week longitudinal study. Physiology & behavior. 2016 Sep 1; 163:211-8
3. Pilates J, Van Heuit-Robbins L, Robbins J. Pilates Evolution: The 21st Century. Ashland, Or.: Presentation Dynamics Llc; 2012.
4. Kloubec JA. Pilates for improvement of muscle endurance, flexibility, balance, and posture. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2010 Mar 1;24(3):661-7.
5. Gleberzon BJ, Annis RS. The necessity of strength training for the older patient. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association. 2000 Jun;44(2):98.
6. Korr IM. The spinal cord as organizer of disease processes. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1976 Sep;76(1):35-45.

Contributed by Dr. Sarah Powers

Sick, Fit People

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We have all seen them in the gym, in the yoga studio or in cycling clubs. The person who looks fit: has toned arms, shredded legs and probably has a 6-pack under their gym clothes. That same person, although they look like a specimen of health on the outside, carries a package of tissues, a bottle of nasal spray, emergency Vitamin C packets, chewable antacids and over the counter NSAIDs in their gym bag because they are constantly sick. Sadly, many gyms and fitness studios are filled with sick, fit people.

Think of the examples of people who, on the outside look healthy, but inside are sick and suffering. Patrick Swayze, James Fixx, Bob Harper and countless others – people living what most of us would consider healthy lifestyles, have suffered heart attacks, been plagued with cancer and died too young, regardless of what their bodies looked like or how they felt.

What makes these stars different than someone like “The Godfather of Fitness”, Jack LaLanne, who lived a happy, healthy life until the age of 97 years old? LaLanne understood how important his nervous system was as to a long, healthy lifestyle.

For your body to heal properly and fight infection, you must have an optimally functioning nervous system. The central nervous system, brain and spinal cord, control every function of your body. When you exercise, your nervous system coordinates the growth and efficiency of your muscles and bones to build them stronger.

When you eat a healthy diet, your nervous system coordinates the digestion and absorption of nutrients into your blood stream, building every cell in your body healthy and strong. This is essential so that these nutrients are available for better workouts and sustain your immune system to guard you from germs, bacteria, viruses and other stressors.

Optimizing your body’s nervous system with Chiropractic Lifestyle Care at the core of your healthy lifestyle so you can be fit and healthy rather than fit and sick, especially if you want to enjoy being fit over a lifetime.

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to leave the medicine chest out of your gym bag?

If you are considering a new fitness routine or want to get back in shape, getting your spine and nervous system checked before you begin can start you off on the right track, prevent injuries and optimize your fitness results. A healthy nervous system benefits every level of fitness. It helps to keep you feeling your best on the inside and enables you to continue looking great on the outside.

Whether you like it or not, want to or not, you will probably live longer than you ever thought. Why not get there in style with health and vitality, fit and healthy, so you and your loved ones can enjoy the ideal 100 Year Lifestyle you deserve?

Contributed by Daniel Kimbley, B.S.

Personal Fitness or Cardiac Rehab

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The difference between being on a personal fitness program and going to a cardiac rehabilitation session is quite simply timing.

Personal fitness is a key element of living The 100 Year Lifestyle. Cardiac rehab happens after you have had a heart attack. Otherwise, the procedures of each are similar. Many people who are into personal fitness wear a heart monitor to track their results. During cardiac rehab, the cardiac specialists hook you up to a more sophisticated heart monitor to minimize your risks and their liability. You have a choice of which path you take.

Heart disease is a leading cause of preventative death in the United States and most of the industrialized nations. The key word in the previous sentence is ‘preventable.’ Through common sense food choices, maintaining your ideal weight, regular exercise, and a stress free spine and nervous system, you can keep your heart healthier for a lifetime.

Most overweight people are aware that their weight is an issue and it can lead to serious health problems. Unfortunately they are just waiting for a severe crisis to give them the life changing wake up call.

If there is somebody in your life who is on this dangerous path, you can be the intervention that wards off the crisis.

Have a heart to heart talk with them. Let them know that you are concerned about their well-being and that they are headed for a crisis. Ultimately the decision to change their lifestyle will be theirs, but it will help them to know that you care.

Decide together to buy healthier foods at the grocery store and make healthier choices at restaurants. Begin choosing quality calories over empty calories during all your meals.

If you have a history of heart disease, are concerned about an underlying heart condition, or experience chest pain consult your cardiologist. After you consult with your cardiologist, start a plan to Get Your ESS in Shape: Endurance, Strength and Structure. All three are essential to a healthy heart and quality of life as you age.

Make an appointment with your chiropractor to ensure that your structure, spine and nervous system are stable enough for exercise, and that the nerve supply to your heart is clear.

If you’re reading this then you are probably in a position to delay a heart attack and cardiac rehab, and even prevent it completely. Take action and make your appointments today so you can continue enjoying the life that make you smile now, tomorrow and for years to come.

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.