Category Archives for Chiropractic Tip Of The Week
Managing Stress Part 5
“Our Burlington Chiropractic Clinic Recommends Managing Stress Through The Practice Of Yoga”
Yoga is a spiritual, mental and physical discipline that involves stretching and breathing through different poses or positions.
Again, there are several different schools or ways to practice yoga and I could not begin to tell you which one would be best for you.
And the goals of the different practices would obviously be different.
Some would focus on the spiritual aspect of the practice, others the mental aspect and then there are those that will focus more on the physical aspect.
But generally speaking, there will be a spiritual, mental and physical benefit to you with any type of yoga.
Then there is something called hot yoga where you practice in a studio that is about 103 degrees F.
This is much more of a challenge but the added benefits are detox and purification of body fluids and weight loss if you need to shed a few pounds.
Again, do some research in the library or on your computer.
There are several good yoga studios here in Burlington and at least 3 that I know of offer hot yoga.
Most yoga studios will offer you a full week trial for anywhere between $20 and $40 so you can try different classes and instructors.
That way you will be able to find a studio, a method and an instructor(s) that you like.
And do not be intimidated just because you are a beginner.
Everyone has to start somewhere and remember that it is not a competition.
Yoga is a practice and there will always be someone who is better than you.
This is nothing to be concerned about.
As with anything, the more you do it the better you will be at it.
Most yoga studios will have booklets or pamphlets showing the names and positions of the various poses specific to their method of practice.
You should practice these at home so when the instructor calls out what position or pose they would like you to assume next, you don’t have to look around to see what everyone else is doing.
And the person next to you may not be doing it the right way anyway.
Yoga instructors usually walk around the room and will help you with your positioning if need be especially if you are in a beginners class.
Nonetheless, you will clearly realize the benefits with respect to stress management and it can be something you can do together as a family.
Part 6 will be a continuation of how to effectively manage your stress.
We will further our learning next week.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Health Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic
Managing Stress – Part 4
“Stress Reduction Series Burlington – Part 4
The next thing I suggest you learn how to do is meditate.
A very basic description regarding meditation is knowing how to train your mind to think about nothing.
Being able to shut down all the brain noise & your stinkin’ thinkin’ will have a profound effect on reducing body tension & mental tension.
The fact is , the more tension that you hold in your body, the less health potential you will have.
Always remember that the mind & body are inseparable.
The mind ( your thoughts ) will always have a significant impact on your physical body & health, & vice-versa.
There are several different schools & practices of meditation & I couldn’t begin to tell you which one to try.
But, what I can tell you is that your local library should have several instructional books & CD’s on meditation.
And, you can always do some research in the comfort of your own home on your computer.
Meditation has been practiced by various cultures for centuries & it is not uncommon in these cultures for children to learn how to meditate at an early age.
Some people who are committed to their cultural traditions or the practice of meditation in general will meditate twice per day usually for about 15 to 30 minutes each time.
This is usually done first thing in the morning to clear your mind for the day that is ahead of you & again in the evening before sleeping to let go of all the frustrations & challenges that you may have experienced during the day.
Find a style that you like and just do it.
Even if it is only 3 times per week [ which is better than nothing at all ].
Once you get good at it & experience it’s benefits with respect to stress management, I doubt you will ever want to stop.
Next week Part 5 will continue with stress management tips.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic
Managing Stress Part III
Effective Stress Management Will Address Both Mind And Body”
The first thing you need to do is be mindful of your rest, relaxation and sleep.
You need 7 to 9 hours of un-interrupted sleep per night.
No tossing or turning or TV’s and when you awaken you should feel well rested, refreshed and loose and flexible.
If you do not sleep comfortably ( tossing and turning ) and you are sore and stiff in the morning to the point where it takes you some time to straighten up and get going then you are probably not sleeping in the right position or on the right mattress.
Furthermore, once you get to 5 years of age, you should no longer be sleeping on your stomach.
This is not good for the neck or the lower back and will be a significant contributor to poor spinal hygiene.
Side sleeping or back sleeping is best and is facilitated by using the right pillow.
Contoured cervical ( neck ) pillows will help maintain proper sleeping posture and the vitally important cervical curve.
What kind of mattress to use? … I couldn’t tell you.
But what I can tell you is this.
If you are not sleeping comfortably for 7 to 9 hours and /or you are waking up sore and stiff , then your current mattress is not appropriate for you.
Whether to use a mattress that is hard or soft, a futon , a waterbed, an air mattress, a memory foam mattress etc. is up to you to determine.
Just make sure that when you buy a new mattress, you have a 60 or 90 day trial period.
You cannot tell if a mattress is good for you by sitting on it in the store.
You need to sleep on it for 10 -14 days to know for sure.
And make sure you take some time for yourself to do the things you love to do and are passionate about.
Have you ever been so engrossed in something that 3 hours only seemed like 15 minutes?
We all have.
Recent research on the mechanisms of aging tells us that if the mind perceives 3 hours as only 15 minutes ( for example ), than so does the physical body.
What effect do you think this will have on how your body ages?
Will it accelerate aging or slow it down?
Part 4 will continue with tips on how to effectively deal with your stress.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic
Managing Stress Part 2
“Stress Is Inescapable – Part Two Of Managing Stress From Our Burlington Clinic”
Dr Hans Seyle ( endocrinologist & stress expert ) says that stress is inescapable.
“ No one can live without experiencing some degree of stress all the time.
Crossing a busy intersection, exposure to a draft, or even sheer joy are enough to activate the body’s stress mechanism to some extent.
Stress is not even necessarily bad for you; it is also the spice of life for any emotion, any activity causes stress.
But of course, your system must be prepared to take it.
The same stress which makes one person sick can be an invigorating experience for another.”
So what happens when you face stress?
First, your body prepares itself for confrontation.
Messages of fight or flight are sent from your brain to your endocrine ( hormonal ) system.
If the stress stops, you revert to normal.
Secondly, if the stress continues, you go into a stage of resistance.
Your body adapts by putting up barricades.
You tense your muscles, raise your fever & struggle to prevail.
You either run from or fight the threat.
Third, if the stress still continues, you may pass into the stage of stress exhaustion.
Your body cannot stay continually in the fight or flight state, so your system falls prey to anxiety, ill-health & chronic dis-ease ( disharmony).
Understand that this bodily response to stress is not exclusive to adults.
It can happen to anyone at any age including children.
This is why parents must be able to identify the conditions & symptoms of stress in their children & then know what the appropriate measures are to protect their health.
Part 3 ( next week ) will begin to show you what you need to do & will cover the first of the 4 major components in effective stress management.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic
Managing Stress Part 1
“Tips On How To Effectively Manage Stress For You And Your Family From Our Burlington Clinic”
This is an 8 part series on Stress Management
Here’s PART 1
Let’s start with a definition…..
Stress is the sum of all the biological reactions to any adverse stimulus [ physical, mental/emotional , chemical ], internal or external that tends to disturb an organisms HOMEOSTASIS. Homeostasis is the stability of normal physiological states of an organism.
Why do we need to learn how to manage stress for ourselves & our children?
Because medical research is now suggesting that up to 80% of all illnesses are stress related!
Here are the most common stress-related conditions/symptoms that I see in my practice: insomnia, anxiety, depression, headaches, spinal pain ( neck, lower back ), muscle tension, eating disorders, bowel problems ( constipation ), suppressed immune function, skin disorders ( eczema, psoriasis ), hormone imbalances, high blood pressure, fatigue, addictions & substance abuse, & stomach disorders ( indigestion, heartburn, ulcers ).
If you have even one of these, then you are most likely not managing your stress effectively.
Part 2 – next week – will explain how stress effects the human body.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic
Artificial Sweetners Impact On Your Health
“Here’s What Our Burlington Clinic Has To Say About Artificial Sweeteners And How They Impact Your Health And Your Children’s Health”
All artificial sweeteners are toxic! ie. sweet’n’low, saccharin, splenda, sucralose.
ASPARTAME is a potent neurotoxin & accounts for 75% of all reported adverse reactions to food additives.
It has actually caused seizures & death.
Here are some of the 90 different health issues currently linked to aspartame:
Headaches, migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, irritability, fatigue, racing heart beat, insomnia, visual disturbances, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, ringing in ears, vertigo, memory loss & joint pain.
Research has found that aspartame can cause brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia & diabetes.
Also known as : Nutra-sweet, Equal & Spoonful.
Now you understand why ALL aspartame containing products carry a warning.
So, take home no artificial sweeteners period! “Diet” or “Sugar-Free” on the label means artificial sweeteners 99% of the time!
It is so much safer & healthier to use raw cane sugar, cocoa & if you do not want to use either one of these, you can use a natural & safe sweetener called Stevia.
Life Chiropractic Centre – helping families build healthy, vibrant, drug-free lives.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Health C0nsultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic
Antioxidant
“Natures Best Antioxidants”
A recent study conducted at Miguel Hernandez University (Spain) sought to determine which household spice was the best natural antioxidant.
The winner was CLOVES, coming in first place ahead of its other counterparts: oregano, thyme, rosemary & sage. Cloves were chosen as the best natural antioxidant mainly due to its ability to reduce lipid oxidation.
Lipid oxidation is one of the main reasons food deteriorates.
To combat food deterioration, the food industry uses synthetic antioxidants which are usually chemical compounds.
Recently , questions have been raised regarding the potential toxicity and side-effects of these chemical compounds. [ long overdue !!! ]
As a result, there is a growing interest in using natural plant-based products, such as cloves, to control food deterioration rather than chemical compounds.
So here are a couple of tips for you …….
When you are reading your food labels, if you cannot pronounce one or more of the ingredients, don’t buy it.
There is more than likely a chemical additive.
Use cloves or powdered cloves to control your own food preservation especially if you buy organic which everybody should.
Organic food typically contains no preservatives or chemical additives which is why it is much safer for and your children.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic
Sinus Congestion
“Here’s How We Treat Sinus Congestion At Our Burlington Clinic”
If you suffer from SINUS CONGESTION whether due to allergies or colds, you should consider the following especially if you are using medications for relief.
As you are probably well aware, sinus medications rarely work.
And they are probably going to make you feel groggy and sleepy at best.
And just FYI, you are not having sinus congestion because you do not have enough sinus decongestant drugs in your diet!
When sinuses become congested due to a cold or allergies, sometimes they get so stuffed and sometimes inflamed that they cannot expel the mucous.
Well, the good news is that there is a treatment called SINUS REFLEX TECHNIQUE which is a manual [ by hand ] treatment to help relieve sinus pressure and sinus congestion especially in the frontal, ethmoidal and maxillary sinuses.
These are the sinuses found across the fore-head and around the nose and cheeks.
The treatment can be performed by most chiropractors and involves a gentle manipulation of the affected sinus tissue and the Eustachian tubes if there is accompanying ear pressure.
This will have the effect of breaking up the congestion & allowing your sinuses to drain which will relieve the pressure and any associated headaches.
I have been doing this for 25 years with my patients, adults and children alike with excellent results.
So, if you or someone you know is suffering from sinus congestion, why don’t you give chiropractic a try.
Consultations are always free of charge and our phone number is 905 335 5433.
Osteoporosis Drug Watchout
“Osteoporosis Drug Linked To Kidney Damage”
Even though this report is from America, they still prescribe similar drugs in Canada ……
Another dire warning has been added to the label of one very popular intravenous osteoporosis drug, this one about the risk of potential kidney failure.
In January 2009, the FDA acknowledged 5 deaths due to kidney failure connected with this drug – generically called zoledronic acid but also sold under a brand name. The FDA did nothing but ‘monitor the situation.’
By April 2011, 11 more deaths were reported. And that did not include the cases of kidney failure – requiring dialysis – where the patient did not die.
Worse, these deaths come on the heels of other serious problems linked to the drug and these come directly from the prescribing information:
- severe incapacitating bone, joint &/or muscle pain
- atypical femur fractures (unusually broken thigh bones)
- osteonecrosis of the jaw (death of the jaw bone)
And this drug is supposed to help protect your bones !?
If you are using medication for osteoporosis, maybe you should reconsider.
Find a way to keep your bones strong & healthy without risking your kidneys, your bones or your life.
We may be able to offer some suggestions.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At the 2501 Guelph Line Clinic
Soy And Testosterone Resistance
“What Men Need To Know About SOY And Testosterone Resistance”
Soy has become a very popular protein alternative in recent years & is now a common food additive.
But, this is what you need to know especially if you are male.
Soy promotes what is called testosterone resistance in the body. When you don’t have enough testosterone it can rob you of your sexual desire & energy.
And if you are a body builder, it is difficult to build muscle mass without normal levels of testosterone.
Studies show that soy’s 2 main estrogen-like compounds – genistein and daidzein – create this resistance to testosterone.
They block your sex hormones, called androgens, from reaching their androgen receptors.
In fact, researchers investigating ways of reducing testosterone for prostate cancer patients found a surefire way: soy!
So, how do you avoid the hidden dangers of soy?
Read your labels.
It is best to be aware of how much soy you are consuming.
And remember that it is just not in your food but also on your food.
Those shiny fruits and vegetables you buy are sprayed with a waxy coating which contains soy to thicken the coating so it sticks to the produce.
What to do?
Buy your fruits and veggies form the local farmer’s market.
Remember that you should always eat local which means that if it had to travel more than 100 miles to get to your table, it should not be on your table.
And, whey protein or rice protein are better and much safer protein sources.
Click Here To Book A Free Initial Consultation With Dr. Brad At The 2501 Guelph Line Clinic