Many people hold the belief that if we have symptoms we are sick, and if are without symptoms then we are healthy. Much of modern health care relies on this approach, ridding people of their symptoms.  Many people come into my practice to get rid of their symptoms, seeking relief from the physical ailments they are experiencing.

But there are limitations with this belief.

Some of the sickest people in this country are symptom free. Similarly, a person who is experiencing symptoms is not necessarily SICK. Many of the symptoms people experience are actually signs that the body is healing, and stopping those symptoms can inhibit the healing process. Think about some of these examples:

fevers – the body raises the internal temperature to kill bacterias or viruses

sneezing/coughing/vomiting/diarrhea – the body is trying to expel something foreign to it!

joint pain – the body tells us to be careful, to avoid using the joint and doing further damage

swelling – the body creates a natural splint to protect the joint

inflammation – the body increases the circulation to repair the injured tissue

bloating & indigestion – the body tells us something we ate was not right for us!

Symptoms are not bad, they just tell us to pay more attention! Every symptom is our body lovingly giving us a message.  When symptoms occur, our body is trying its best to communicate with us. Do we listen and act? Or just try to stop it? It’s up to you.

Health is not the absence of symptoms, and sickness is not the presence of symptoms. Health is a condition of wholeness in which all your muscles and organs are functioning 100%.

Life is a process, not an event, and so is healing. Sometimes symptoms are simply part of the healing response, part of your body adapting to a new healthier internal state and a way it clears things out.

I care about people’s symptoms, but I care more about their whole body and the longer-term effects of neurological and structural damage going  on inside!

After you are adjusted your body will always function at a higher level, regardless of how you feel. I know the power of a chiropractic adjustment. I have witnessed it for 10 years clinically, and I have seen it personally with my own health and that of my family.

If you are living with spinal subluxations you are not functioning at your peak. Your ability to move, think, and feel is compromised. It’s that simple.

Cardiovascular health is important throughout our lives. 

Your heart pumps blood to all parts of your body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to every single cell through the arteries. Once the cells have received the oxygen, the blood is returned to the heart through the veins. The systematic, rhythmic relationship between your lungs and your heart is what refuels the blood with oxygen so that this cycle can continue endlessly. With every beat of your heart, blood is moving through the chambers of your heart and then being pumped through your body. It’s truly an amazing system! Quite simply, heart disease results when the heart has to beat faster than the normal healthy rate to perform its job. When the arteries are clogged blood needs to be pumped through them at a faster rate with greater force (“high blood pressure”).

Most people can quickly think of all the known risk factors for heart disease – smoking, high cholesterol, alcoholism, obesity, lack of physical activity, diabetes, high blood pressure, poor diets but did you know spinal misalignments can contribute as well? When the vertebrae in the spine are not moving properly they impinge both the nerves and the arteries. Once corrected with spinal adjustments, proper nerve and circulatory flow returns. Research has shown that chiropractic spinal adjustments can lower both blood pressure and heart rate, allowing your cardiovascular system to function the way it was designed to.

Although heart disease remains one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide, the great news is that lifestyle plays a huge factor in the development of it!

Make choices to keep your heart working properly by considering the following:

Stress Less: High stress levels cause blood pressure to rise and the heart rate to increase. Evaluate the stressors in your life and make changes!

Eat Well: Choose a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains. Avoid packaged and processed foods which contain extra fats, sugars and preservatives.

Quit Smoking & Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Just do it. Nothing health promoting about these lifestyle choices whatsoever!

Get Moving: Move your body everyday for at least 10 minutes. Helps relieve stress and supports every system in your body.

Get Adjusted! For a healthier body overall. It’s that simple.

During the restoration and redesign of this building I have thought about many comparison’s to one’s health…

What you see isn’t always what you get.

There were a few surprises we discovered (and continue to find) during the renovation process. I didn’t know the floor was weak until we looked, and so it was rebuilt. We couldn’t see all the old wiring that was hidden behind the walls, and so new wiring was installed. In a 100 year-old house there are always interesting discoveries to be found. Years of changes to the original structure, and many curious solutions to problems that arose.

My attitude with every discovery (although reluctantly because of the time and investment required to fix!) was “Great that we found out! Let’s rebuild it and make it better.”

Yet too often when it comes to our bodies people don’t want to know what’s wrong.

I hear it all the time! “Oh I’d hate for you to look at me, you would see what a mess my body is”. Just like in an old house, many parts of  your body can be overlooked while focusing only on the parts you can ‘“see’”.

How do you define being healthy? By how you are feeling? Or by how you are functioning?

What could be hidden in your body?

I often wonder what it takes for people to take control of their health, why there is such apathy among people? What gets people to take action and make healthy choices to support their body?  Unfortunately the answer for most is CRISIS.  In my experience not enough people truly value their health, or they have been misled as to what the human body needs to function properly.

If you want to thrive, not simply survive, you need to commit time and resources to all components of a healthy lifestyle: proper food, proper movement (spinal joints with chiropractic care and overall movement with exercise), healthy relationships, personal time, adequate rest, hydration, fresh air and sunlight.

Your body is the house your spirit lives in.  How are you taking care of it? Are you doing everything you could be? If not, why?  Are you going to wait for a crisis to happen before you act?

Please know your answers to these questions are for you to know, and whatever they are, its your responsibility to accept them, or make changes!   Your care here encompasses you as a whole being, and although your adjustments are the most  powerful thing you can do for your body, there are other necessities for healthy function.  My responsibility is to support your health however I can, so if you need or want some direction, ask us!

How you spend your day physically can affect your spinal health. Chronic, repetitive postures can create spinal stress, and there are simple ways to improve your workspace to reduce the risk. How can you tell if your office environment is safe and conducive to your comfort and productivity? Consider the following questions:

At the office, do you:

1. Sit for long periods of time?
2. Perform repetitive arm or hand movements?
3. Spend a lot of time on the telephone?
4. Have to turn your head to see your computer monitor?
5. Take few or no breaks?
6. Sit under dim or flickering lights?
7. Spend a lot of time looking down at papers on your desk?
8. Experience headaches or neck pain?
9. Experience aching, numbness, or tingling in your fingers and hands?
10. Experience back pain?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, you could be at risk of developing or already suffering from repetitive strain injuries related to your office     set-up.

So, take a few minutes now to check out your work station….what can you improve? Consider these tips: 

The Keyboard: Position it above your lap. Ensure that you can type with your arms relaxed, close to your body with elbows bent at 90 degrees and wrists level.

The Computer Monitor: Position it directly in front of you. (Your eyes should be looking straight ahead, not with your head tilted up and back, and not looking down).  Keep your monitor free of dirt and smudges, in order to reduce glare. Allow the muscles in your eyes to relax by taking a 20 second break every 20 minutes, during which you look at an object that is located at least 20 feet away from you.

The Mouse:  Try using a light grip to avoid strain. When you move it around use your elbow to guide it instead of your wrist.

The Telephone: Use your hand to support the telephone against your ear, and alternate regularly instead of cradling the phone between the ear and shoulder. Consider using a headset or speaker to limit the strain on your neck and arms.

The Chair. Sit upright and all the way back. You can even roll up a towel and place it against the arch of your back for lumbar spine support. Your chair’s height should be adjusted to a level at which your knees are bent at a 90-100 degree angle, with your feet touching the floor.

Take breaks! By far the most important thing I can stress is to vary your tasks as much as possible throughout your day. Keep your body from being stuck in any position for too long, and give your brain a boost as well. Can you switch up the

Spending some time to make simple ergonomic changes to your work environment can improve your comfort and productivity.

Of all the years in practice (10! Yes a party is being planned!) I think this year’s Thanksgiving event was my favorite.

Everyday as we discussed the importance of living with a grateful heart, encouraging you to take a moment to share what you were grateful for, we were inspired by the responses we received.

More than just the act of writing the gratitude note, others read all the notes on the wall, had a laugh, shared a sentiment, and left with a smile on their face.

We watched people reflect, and often converse with others in the practice. We witnessed people coming together, interacting with each other, and watched a community unfold.

I am a big believer in the power of community and to see it happening in my own practice always makes me smile…to see new relationships formed within the walls of this office.  Its precisely why we will continue to create events that bring people together, that share in the human spirit and foster greater harmony within our community.

THANK YOU for playing along and sharing your stories.

THANK YOU for committing to get well and for choosing us to support your health.

THANK YOU for trusting us with your referrals of friends and loved ones.

THANK YOU for your flexibility with scheduling changes.

THANK YOU for your continued patience and support during the rebuilding of this space.

THANK YOU for the laughter you bring us during your office visits.

THANK YOU for inviting us into your children’s lives.

Congratulations to our draw prize winner Zach…a 12 yr old boy who shared his gratitude list after his adjustment one morning before school.  He won’t be going to Le Scandinave Spa but will be enjoying a gift certificate to a sporting goods store instead!

Often I hear the comment in the practice, “I need to be fixed”, “You’re going to fix me right doc?”, “Sit here honey, mommy’s just going to get fixed now.”

I always had a challenge with this vocabulary.  Fixing means that something is broken.

Unless you break a bone, break your skin or internal organ with some trauma, you are not BROKEN. I don’t think of your body as BROKEN when you come here to see me. When you come here for care, I am not fixing anything, and you do not need to be “fixed”.

The adjustments RE ALIGN your spine, TAKE PRESSURE OFF your spinal cord, BALANCE your muscles. Your body will do the rest.

When you take the position that something is wrong with you, that you are BROKEN, it takes your power away, and makes it seem like you need something external to your body to get well. It gives me the responsibility to get you better, and takes it away from you.

But that’s not how healing happens.

Your body needs no help, just no interference. Your body can heal itself, it just needs the right  environment inside. My role is to remove the interference, educate, and inspire you to make other healthy lifestyle choices. Your job is to see them through, and take control of your health.

Then I looked up the word FIX in the dictionary…and I had to rethink my position.

Fix: to repair; mend; to put in order or in good condition; adjust or arrange 

So let’s agree that although I just might ‘fix’ you with an adjustment, its not because you are broken but because you are choosing to repair tissues that have been strained, put them in healthy  order, and adjust your body to more optimal functioning.

We are not here to fix something that is wrong with you but rather to restore what is right with you, to return your body to its natural state. You are whole and complete just the way you are.

You just need your Chiropractic Fix!

Recently at a continuing education event I was asked to complete the following statement “When I adjust people….” during a session of sharing and discussion with colleagues. Based on what I know from my training, and what I have seen in my practice consistently for the past 10 years, here’s the list I created. Keep in mind its quite spontaneous! The real-life stuff we see here….

When I adjust people…

blood pressure balances – muscles balance – sinuses clear    nerve supply increases – thoughts are clearer – sleep is better awareness is heightened – leg pain subsides  – bowels clear  taste improves – pelvic structure shifts – heart rate stabilizes children giggle – cuts heal faster – broken bones heal – relief seizures slow down – fevers drop – balance restored            people connect to others – people laugh – body heals     breathing regulates – euphoric – back pain clears –        headaches lessen – arm pain clears – neck pain clears   menstrual cycles regulate – immune system is stronger     energy improves – blood sugar normalizes – ear infections stop depression lessens – addictions subside – libido improves empowered thinking – excitement about health               flexibility improves – infections go away – families are healthier couples are healthier – life is enjoyed better – able to work hobbies improve – life is turned on – labour progresses or starts babies smile – allergies lessen – stomach aches subside        peace enters the body – strength returns

I share this with you as a simple reminder that regardless of the health challenge that you are facing, if any, you are always better with a healthy nervous system!  A body without spinal subluxations will always perform better than one with them.  Trust your body and its ability to be well. With every adjustment your body as a whole works better. Its as simple as that.

Enjoy the Sun! Natural sunlight is essential for good health. Time in the sun is a question of balance.  Daily moderate exposure enables the body to produce vitamin D and make melanin (our body’s natural sunscreen).  Overexposure causes damage to the skin, accelerates aging, suppresses the immune system, and can lead to cancers.  Children are much more sensitive than adults so take precautions…and be mindful of the toxic chemicals in many sunscreens that can be worse for the body than sun exposure!  Choose natural products when using them, but even easier is to use hats, and cover the skin with clothing when possible.  Seek out the shade and balance time out in the sun with breaks and indoor play as well.  This also helps prevent heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Bites and sting  Although they should always be treated immediately,  stings from a bee or wasp are not usually dangerous unless the victim suffers from an allergy.  Apply a paste of baking soda and water to a bee sting to relieve pain; make a compress from a pad of cotton soaked in lemon juice and apply to a wasp sting. *Multiple stings, or stings to the eyes, ears or mouth should be treated in the hospital.*

Mosquitos Prevent insect bites by diluting a few drops of essential oils of eucalyptus or citronella in half a mug of water, gently apply to exposed areas avoiding the eyes and mouth.  Cider vinegar can be used the same way.  Arnica (homeopathic) is useful for any bites that cause swelling, bruising or pain.  Witch hazel is also quite effective.

Cuts & Bruises  If there is extensive bleeding, or any other unusual symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, or a head of injury, head to the hospital for emergency treatment. A clean cloth soaked in witch hazel is good for bruises as is a cold compress and some TLC!  Arnica cream is also useful for soreness.

First Aid Remedies: These are the basic items in my first aid kit! Keep the following on hand in your car, purse or within easy reach for most emergencies…

Arnica 30c homeopathic remedy– for bumps, bruises, blows, cuts, broken skin, burns, scalds, nosebleeds, stings, sprains, fractures, muscular aches and pains, (or in fact virtually any injury to the body)

Aconite 30c homeopathic remedy –for fear, anxiety, restlessness, sudden illness, intense pain, shock.  Give it to any child who has been hurt or traumatized in any way.

Chamomilla 30c homeopathic remedy – for teething, insomnia, earaches, digestive troubles, anytime you need to relax!

Band-aids, gauze, wet-wipes.

Bach Rescue Remedy – a flower remedy designed for shock and trauma.  Very relaxing and soothing.

Calendula cream – great salve for cuts, stings, burns, scrapes and scratches, any skin irritation.

Tea tree oil, Eucalyptus oil – essential oils known for their antibacterial and anti-septic properties. Must be diluted or mixed with a natural oil or salve before being applied to the skin.

Everyday millions of people throughout the world choose chiropractic as part of their healthy lifestyle. They recognize that health is the full expression of oneʼs potential physically, emotionally and spiritually, and and not just the absence of symptoms.

Here are some other reasons why….

Stronger Immune Function

“Chiropractic care optimizes whatever genetic abilities an individual has to resist disease. “ Dr. Ronald Peru, PhD, Chief of Cancer Prevention at New York’s Preventative Medicine Institute.

Dr. Peru found that chiropractic patients had a 200% stronger immune system than people who had no chiropractic care, and a 400% greater immune competence than people with cancer or other serious diseases. This response was consistent throughout the entire group and showed no decline with age!

DNA Repair

In 2005 Dr. Peru also studied the benefits of chiropractic care on repairing DNA (the body’s building blocks) and he concluded that:

“DNA repair is the highest or most effective in individuals who had no symptoms and who had been receiving chiropractic care for the longest period of time.”

Other studies have concluded that the optimal functioning of the immune system is critically dependent on the balance of the endocrine (hormone) and nervous systems. “Loss of this balance can lead to immune defects and can significantly contribute to the occurrence of allergy and auto-immune disease.”

Higher Antioxidant Levels

In 2005, a landmark study found evidence that chiropractic care can reduce oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress plays a role in a whole host of diseases and disorders: Alzheimer’s disease, atherosclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and many others. Thiols are compounds in the body that act as antioxidants, reacting with free radicals to neutralize them. Serum levels of thiols reflect DNA’s capacity to repair itself, and can be used to measure aging and disease status.

The study participants who received chiropractic care for 2 or more years had higher serum thiol levels in their body. Some of the chiropractic patients even had serum thiol levels higher than what is associated with normal health and wellness!

Everyone can benefit from a healthy spine! What are you waiting for?

Find a Chiropractor to support your health and help you start living at the level of health you deserve.