Cafe of Life

Just another WordPress site

sports

Getting the Winning Edge!

by Leave a Comment

In our ultra-competitive world of college prep, job insecurity, sales targets, promotions, placement tests, parenting, sport performance, etc., seeking an edge to succeed under pressure is desired by many.

Professional and Olympic athletes are always striving for the edge to win. Many would expect elite athletes to utilize the latest science on performance nutrition, exercise physiology and mental training, and they do. But few are aware of how these top performing athletes use the power of a balanced spine and nervous system to their advantage.

The 2015 British Open golf champion, Zach Johnson along with 2015 Masters Tournament and U.S. Open winner Jordan Spieth, credit chiropractic care with giving them the winning edge. Other well-known champion athletes including Super Bowl champion quarterbacks Tom Brady and Aaron Rogers as well as 6-time Olympic Gold Medalist Usain Bolt “The fastest man in the world”, all give credit to chiropractic care for helping them get and stay in winning form.

In high level sports, the winning edge goes way beyond genetics, which is exciting news for those of us who may not have won the genetic lottery.

The science of Epigenetics recognizes that our DNA is not necessarily our destiny. At most, only 30 percent of our health, longevity and performance is determined by our genetics. More than 70 percent of our destiny is determined by our lifestyle and choices. How we live and take care of our bodies matters more than our genes.

If you have chronic pain, sickness or ill health, this will be an impediment to performance which may keep you from enjoying life and achieving your goals.

Top performers adapt well to stress. How about you? Your ability to handle stress is also dependent on how well your nervous system is functioning. The role of your nervous system is to run all your cells, organs and tissues while it adapts you to your environment. The healthier your body and mind communicate via your nervous system, the better you are able to adapt and perform under stress.

If you want the winning edge, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Simply adopt the health habits and lifestyle choices of peak performers. Utilizing chiropractic care with your entire family can help give you the winning edge as you live out your ideal 100 Year Lifestyle.

Contributed by Drs. David and Lorraine Melendez

Spring Sports Injuries

by Leave a Comment

Spring is here. The issues surrounding head injuries, including concussions, have never been a part of mainstream conversation more than right now. As we begin the Spring sports season, concussions and neck injuries are being reported in the pros and young athletes. Pee-wee and primary age athletic organizations have released new rules limiting contact during practices. Youth Soccer has changed their criteria for heading.

Every athlete and parent is concerned about head injuries. As our kids become faster, stronger and start sports earlier, their chances of sustaining chronic head and neck injuries, and the likely result of long-term brain injury, is dramatically rising.

The hidden tragedy is that every head injury has the potential to also damage the neck. Since the primary focus at the time of a head injury is the head, the neck is often overlooked. There are distinct signs of neck injury that can be found during an examination at the time of injury, as well as days, weeks, months and even years later. Due to the focus and pressure rising on concussions, the rapid forward-backward motion commonly known as whiplash has been swept under the rug, downplayed and often ignored. And yet, the vast majority of head injuries also have the mechanism to cause whiplash injuries.

Whiplash and concussion have serious long-term effects, including depression, memory loss, fatigue, mood swings, headaches and chronic instability. Head and neck injuries also damage sensitive nerves in the region as they exit the spine.

Damage to ligaments can mean continual nerve irritation and interference if proper care is not given. The effects from these injuries can last decades whether or not the person is experiencing pain.

The potential for long-term effects has caused many to run away from activities they love and use to remain physically active. Rather than leave athletics, the Lifestyle Care Continuum of The 100 Year Lifestyle can help you correct and protect spine and nervous system subluxations that can affect the health of muscles, ligaments and vital organs.

Crisis Care provides relief and stability to injured areas of the spine. It is essential that these injuries are given appropriate time to stabilize, as head and neck injuries have a high rate of lingering symptoms.

The Critical Transition phase of care is essential to help minimize the long-term effects of these injuries. Major research centers still only recommend care for a couple of months following an injury, one of the probable causes for continued nerve damage. For people who have sustained previous injuries and those looking to avoid them, the spine and nerve protection afforded by Chiropractic Lifestyle Care contributes to optimum function and support, which can minimize the risk of future injuries.

If you or a loved one has ever sustained even a mild head or neck injury, consider your long term health and get your spine and nervous system checked. The damage done by the injury may not surface for years to come, but your ability to protect your long-term health and well-being begins now.

References:
1.http://nflconcussionlitigation.com/

2.http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/14/sports/pop-warner-football-limits-contact-in-practices.html

3.http://www.aans.org/Patientpercentsign20Information/Conditionspercentsign20andpercentsign20Treatments/Sports-Relatedpercentsign20Headpercentsign20Injury.aspx

4.http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2009/01/28/concussions-effects–may-linger-for-decades

5.http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=197667

6.http://windcitypt.com/files/2011/07/Sterling_predictors_of_outcomes_post_WAD.pdf

Summer Sports, Injuries and Prevention

by Leave a Comment

Summer is here. Many people are getting outdoors and upping the ante on their activity level, trying to get in shape, improve their performance or set a personal best. If this describes you, It’s time to optimize the function of your brain, spine and nervous system and not let injuries get in the way.

When it comes to your brain, the issues surrounding head injuries, including concussions, have never been a part of mainstream conversation more than right now. As we begin the Summer sports season, concussions and neck injuries are being reported in the pros and young athletes. Pee-wee and primary age athletic organizations have released new rules limiting contact during practices. Youth Soccer has changed their criteria for heading.

Every athlete and parent is concerned about head injuries. As our kids become faster, stronger and start sports earlier, their chances of sustaining chronic head and neck injuries, and the likely result of long-term brain injury, is dramatically rising. The hidden tragedy is that every head injury has the potential to also damage the neck. Since the primary focus at the time of a head injury is the head, the neck is often overlooked.

There are distinct signs of neck injury that can be found during an examination at the time of injury, as well as days, weeks, months and even years later. Due to the focus and pressure rising on concussions, the rapid forward-backward motion commonly known as whiplash has been swept under the rug, downplayed and often ignored. And yet, the vast majority of head injuries also have the mechanism to cause whiplash injuries. Whiplash and concussion have serious long-term effects, including depression, memory loss, fatigue, mood swings, headaches and chronic instability. Head and neck injuries also damage sensitive nerves in the region as they exit the spine. Damage to ligaments can mean continual nerve irritation and interference if proper care is not given. The effects from these injuries can last decades whether or not the person is experiencing pain. The potential for long-term effects has caused many to run away from activities they love and use to remain physically active.

Rather than leave athletics, the Lifestyle Care Continuum of The 100 Year Lifestyle can help you correct and protect spine and nervous system subluxations that can affect the health of muscles, ligaments and vital organs. Crisis Care provides relief and stability to injured areas of the spine. It is essential that these injuries are given appropriate time to stabilize, as head and neck injuries have a high rate of lingering symptoms. The Critical Transition phase of care is essential to help minimize the long-term effects of these injuries. Major research centers still only recommend care for a couple of months following an injury, one of the probable causes for continued nerve damage. For people who have sustained previous injuries and those looking to avoid them, the spine and nerve protection afforded by Chiropractic Lifestyle Care contributes to optimum function and support, which can minimize the risk of future injuries.

If you or a loved one has ever sustained even a mild head or neck injury, consider your long term health and get your spine and nervous system checked. A misjudged landing when jumping into a crowded pool, a kick to the side of the head in Soccer, or a missed catch resulting in a baseball to the face might land you on the blooper reel right away but damage done by the injury may not surface for years to come. Your ability to protect your long-term health and well-being begins now.

References:

1.http://nflconcussionlitigation.com/ 2.http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/14/sports/pop-warner-football-limits-contact-in-practices.html 3.http://www.aans.org/Patientpercentsign20Information/Conditionspercentsign20andpercentsign20Treatments/Sports-Relatedpercentsign20Headpercentsign20Injury.aspx 4.http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2009/01/28/concussions-effects–may-linger-for-decades 5.http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=197667 6.http://windcitypt.com/files/2011/07/Sterling_predictors_of_outcomes_post_WAD.pdf 2016.

 

Put More Spring in Your Step

by Leave a Comment

Spring is a great time to get outside and put pep in your step. Do you have the nerve for it?

The sunshine and warmer weather can be strong motivators for people to go outside and play. They bring the benefits of natural Vitamin D, fresh air, longer days and the potential to do more. It can also offer changes to your fitness routine as you become more active.

As your energy and activity levels rise, your nervous system will be tested in many new ways. Gardening, walking, running, bike riding, organized sports and pick-up games become part of your routine and all these activities will be more enjoyable if your spine and nervous system are healthy.

A healthy nervous system is essential for you to be able to adapt to your environment. Dr. Robert Zieve states, “We live in a toxic world. The great, majority of chemicals we now take in daily were not on the planet 30 years ago. These toxins become neurotoxins, damaging the nervous system.”

You can control exposure to many toxins by making healthier nutritional choices and avoiding the environmental toxicity found in fertilizers, insect repellent and commonly used household cleaning supplies. Keeping yours and your family’s nervous system healthy can make a difference in your body’s ability to resist and adapt to these toxins, pollen and irritants. Chiropractic check-ups can help.

If you started a new fitness routine recently or have become more active, don’t wait for a crisis to get your spine and nervous system checked. A chiropractic checkup can help you heal quickly if you are injured and if you want to be proactive you may even prevent an injury from occurring.

If you’ve had allergies, you may find their relief or disappearance a positive side effect of your care. Researchers have long known about the vital connections between the nervous system and immune system which explains why so many people with allergies respond to their care.

If you’re an athlete who’s upping your mileage, research has shown that adjustments can improve reaction time and speed recovery.

For children and adults, nerve compression can mimic symptoms of many other conditions and even affect the function of your organs and systems.

Now that warmer weather is arriving, it’s time for you to blossom. Don’t sidetrack your desire to enjoy this beautiful time of year. With Chiropractic Lifestyle Care, you’ll have the nerve to enjoy every season as fully as you want!

Visit our Patient Hub to schedule an appointment and enjoy additional Health Articles on our website.