The Star After The Storm

Good Morning! The sunrise taken during my walk on Sunday morning on January 24, 2016 , after the blizzard. Truly, a new day shining with possibilities!

7 Things Your Chiropractor Knows About You The Minute You Walk Into The Room

Here's a good article on how you may look through your Chiropractor's eyes.


http://www.prevention.com/health/what-your-chiropractor-knows-about-you

Trans fats, but not saturated fats like butter, linked to greater risk of early death and heart disease

Contrary to prevailing dietary advice, a recent evidence review found no excess cardiovascular risk associated with intake of saturated fat. In contrast, research suggests that industrial trans fats may increase the risk of coronary heart disease.

Originally created to enhance flavor, extend shelf life and improve texture, these fats are present in a myriad of foods that many people eat on a daily basis.

Don't eat any product which has the words "partially hydrogenated" or "shortening" in the ingredients list.

You should look for trans fats in any of these products:

Cookies
Crackers
Cakes
Muffins
Pie crusts
Pizza dough
Margarine
Vegetable shortening
Cake mixes
Pancake mixes
Chocolate drink mixes
Donuts
French fries
Potato chips
Candy
Packaged popcorn
Frozen dinners
Salad Dressings
Deep Fried Foods

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150811215545.htm

Toes-spread-out Exercise (TSO)

This is a great exercise for one of the most neglected body parts to stretch and exercise...the FEET! This is especially good for bunion correction.

This exercise involves three distinct toe movements, all of which you perform while keeping you heel and ball of the foot on the ground.

1. Lift and spread out all your toes.
2. Push your little toe down toward the outside of your body.
3. Slowly push your big toe down toward the middle of your body.

4. Repeat 10 times. Rest. Repeat for up 10 15 minutes.

The research study found this exercise was effective for bunion correction.

REFERENCE:
Kima MH, Kwonb OY, KImc SH, Jungd DY. Comparison of muscle activities of abductor hallucis and adductor hallucis between the short foot and toe-spread-out exercises in subjects with mild hallux valgus. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2013;26:163-168.

2015 for 2015!

Welcome to 2015! The start of a new year is a perfect  time for all of us  to “re-boot” our health habits and set a course that will  lead to a better life over the course of the year.

4 simple daily habits that will benefit you, and just about anyone else, are listed below. They are listed with acronym, 2015 to make it easy to remember them.

2 – 2x/day, take  1-10 minutes to reflect, connect, and appreciate.

• Living our lives today is all about managing distractions and keeping “the main thing, the main thing”. It won’t happen by itself. Reflect on what’s really important and meaningful to you. Some suggestions:

• Have a list (written on a card or on your phone) of your goals, creeds and principles to live by and review it.
• Look at pictures that make you smile. These can be family, friends, pets, beautiful scenery, etc.
• Watch a short video that will make you laugh (laughing is inner jogging).
• Breath deeply, meditate, and focus on who and what matters most in your life.
• Connect with the most important people in your life. Send a text, email, call, visit (“face time”), hand write (!) an old fashioned note, etc. 
• Appreciate what you do have in your life. Feeling grateful is a key attitude for health and happiness.

0 - Consume zero, or as close to zero, trans-fats (hydrogenated oils) and tobacco products.

There are NO benefits to either of these. They are legal poisons.

1 – Exercise at least 1X/day. 

• Use the 3-S method: do something that makes you Sweat, Stretch and/or Strengthen for 20 -40 minutes everyday.
• "Sweat" can be exercise or activity.
• "Strengthen" includes workouts for your core (contact me about this one since so many don't get this right), weights, elastic bands, body-weight exercises, etc.
• Alternate the days on which you do each S.

5 – Eat 5 servings of plant foods, mostly vegetables, each day. 

• If you want to really upgrade your health, eat 5 servings each meal.
• Key foods are Greens, cruciferous vegetables (ie. broccoli, cauliflower, kale, etc.), and a variety of colored foods.

Of course, there are many more actions you can do (and not do) to build greater levels of health and well-being. I will be covering more of these in this blog throughout the year. As always, I’m here to be your health coach and support you toward making your 2015 a year to remember! 

MIGRAINES ARE MORE THAN A PAIN

12 percent of Americans suffer from migraines. One in four families has an affected member. If you or anyone you know suffers with migraines, you know how much time and life is lost waiting for the pain to subside.In addition, after the headache is over there is often a period of fatigue, poor concentration or mood changes. 

The pain of a migraine can be so searing you may feel like drilling a hole through your head. In fact, this was the remedy of choice 3,000 years ago when evil spirits were thought to be the culprit behind migraines.While there are plenty of drugs that combat migraines, no magic bullet exists.

Many migraines have multiple causes, including irritation on the nervous system from the joints of the neck (cervical spine), jaw (TMJ), and head (cranial bones). Chronic strain on the muscles of the head and neck from poor posture or bad movement habits also contribute to migraines. TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO MAY BE HELPED BY CHIROPRACTIC CARE DON'T KNOW IT!

Our treatment approaches include: 1.Adjustments to the neck, jaw, and head (cranial work); 2. Muscle and fascial release (Active Release Techniques or ART, trigger point stimulation, myofascial release); 3. Posture correction exercises and other exercises; 4. Education about job modifications; 5.Co-management with other health care providers, if medication or injection therapy is needed. People in chronic pain, such as migraine headaches, often have bad outcomes. Below is one such story: 

Music legend Ian McLagan has died of complications related to a stroke. He was discovered in his home in Manor last night after he failed to show up for a band rehearsal. He was 69. McLagan was rushed to University Medical Center Brackenridge and placed on life support. He passed away this afternoon at 2:39. "He was a beloved friend to so many people and a true rock n roll spirit," McLagan's manager Ken Kushnick said in an e-mail. "His persona and gift of song impacted the music across oceans and generations."

Though the British Invasion may have led the way, the Small Faces weren’t far behind in the 1960s, with a pounding pub rock driven by McLagan’s keyboard. McLagan’s Hammond B3 swirl would also drive the sound of Rod Stewart and Faces in the 70’s. In later years, McLagan made his home in Central Texas, rekindling his career both as a solo artist and a sought-after sideman recording with the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, among many others. 

In recent years, McLagan had undergone a series of treatments for debilitating migraines. "I've been on about five, six medications over the period of the last 9, 10 years," he told KUT in 2010. "I was starting to feel suicidal."

 "I walked on the stage of the Lucky Lounge one Thursday night and didn't know what the hell I was doing. I started one song about four, five times. I made a joke out of it, but I knew it was the medication and I decided I was going to stop it," McLagan said. "I never took it again, and I actually should have [instead] slowed it down." "I've taken all kinds of medications. Nothing really does it, frankly. Honestly, I think pot is the only that's a real distraction for me and I wish they'd make it legal," he said.  McLagan was set to begin a tour with veteran rocker Nick Lowe in Minneapolis. 
 http://kut.org/post/music-legend-ian-mclagan-dead-69

MIGRAINES ARE MORE THAN A PAIN

12 percent of Americans suffer from migraines. One in four families has an affected member. If you or anyone you know suffers with migraines, you know how much time and life is lost waiting for the pain to subside.In addition, after the headache is over there is often a period of fatigue, poor concentration or mood changes.

The pain of a migraine can be so searing you may feel like drilling a hole through your head. In fact, this was the remedy of choice 3,000 years ago when evil spirits were thought to be the culprit behind migraines.While there are plenty of drugs that combat migraines, no magic bullet exists.

Many migraines have multiple causes, including irritation on the nervous system from the joints of the neck (cervical spine), jaw (TMJ), and head (cranial bones). Chronic strain on the muscles of the head and neck from poor posture or bad movement habits also contribute to migraines. TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO MAY BE HELPED BY CHIROPRACTIC CARE DON'T KNOW IT!

Our treatment approaches include: 1. Adjustments to the neck, jaw, and head (cranial work); 2. Muscle and fascial release (Active Release Techniques or ART, trigger point stimulation, myofascial release); 3. Posture correction exercises and other exercises; 4. Education about job modifications; 5. Co-management with other health care providers, if medication or injection therapy is needed.

People in chronic pain, such as migraine headaches, often have bad outcomes. Below is one such story:

Music legend Ian McLagan has died of complications related to a stroke. He was discovered in his home in Manor last night after he failed to show up for a band rehearsal. He was 69. McLagan was rushed to University Medical Center Brackenridge and placed on life support. He passed away this afternoon at 2:39. "He was a beloved friend to so many people and a true rock n roll spirit," McLagan's manager Ken Kushnick said in an e-mail. "His persona and gift of song impacted the music across oceans and generations."

Though the British Invasion may have led the way, the Small Faces weren’t far behind in the 1960s, with a pounding pub rock driven by McLagan’s keyboard. McLagan’s Hammond B3 swirl would also drive the sound of Rod Stewart and Faces in the 70’s. In later years, McLagan made his home in Central Texas, rekindling his career both as a solo artist and a sought-after sideman recording with the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, among many others.

In recent years, McLagan had undergone a series of treatments for debilitating migraines. "I've been on about five, six medications over the period of the last 9, 10 years," he told KUT in 2010. "I was starting to feel suicidal." 

"I walked on the stage of the Lucky Lounge one Thursday night and didn't know what the hell I was doing. I started one song about four, five times. I made a joke out of it, but I knew it was the medication and I decided I was going to stop it," McLagan said. "I never took it again, and I actually should have [instead] slowed it down." "I've taken all kinds of medications. Nothing really does it, frankly. Honestly, I think pot is the only that's a real distraction for me and I wish they'd make it legal," he said.  McLagan was set to begin a tour with veteran rocker Nick Lowe in Minneapolis. 

http://kut.org/post/music-legend-ian-mclagan-dead-69