In the past two weeks there has been a lot of people suffering from shoulder pain in Chicago. The reason I know is because, as a chiropractor, there has been a huge influx of patients with shoulder pain coming into my office. Let’s discuss this further. Continue reading
Neck Pain Relief
Neck pain relief is becoming more and more important here in Chicago. The reason being is we are under more stress than ever. We are spending more time than ever in front of computers, mobile devices and other electronics and this plays a major role in why people are having neck pain and seeking neck pain relief. Continue reading
Choosing a chiropractor in Chicago can be quite a challenge. In a city as large and diverse as Chicago is, chiropractors are just as diverse. Each and every chiropractic office has a different philosophy, different techniques, and of course the Doctor in each office has a different personality. All of these are important things to consider when choosing which chiropractic office will be the best fit for you. Here are some things to consider when choosing a chiropractor in Chicago: Continue reading
It’s time to start preparing for winter. For many, the winter months become a time of hibernation, inactivity, excess consumption and unhealthy habits. This does not have to be the case. You are still either creating health or destroying health no matter what the weather is doing. Winter is a great time to continue to build upon your health.
Have you ever wondered why the “cold and flu season” happens in the winter? Do you think it is because these cold and flu viruses are dormant and all of a sudden become active once it’s cold outside? No, these bugs are always around and always invading us, the difference is in the winter most people are run down, stressed and not following through on their healthy habits therefore making them more prone to becoming sick.
Here is what I will be doing to prepare for and stay healthy this winter:
1) Get adjusted — Keeping your spine healthy and free of intereference is a great way to keep your body healthy and resistant against infection. A nervous system without stress is a nervous system that is adaptable to the health challenges of winter. I get adjusted on average once a week.
2) Get fresh air (even if it’s cold) — Most people are vitamin D deficient during the winter because you may go 3 months without ever seeing the sun! This is common, but it is not normal. Bundle up and go out side for a walk. Walking in the winter is actually a lot of fun! There are much less people out and about and you get to enjoy some silence and maybe even get to listen to the snow falling!
3) Take Vitamins D and C — We already talked about Vitamin D above as a way to stay healthy this winter. I add in extra Vitamin D and C in the form of vitamins to help give my immune system a natural boost to fight off the potential invaders.
4) Winter exercise — Try a new activity. Most people in the winter are not getting enough exercise. Besides going for a walk, try ice skating, sledding, snow shoeing, or skiing. Use the snow and cold as a chance to enjoy a sport or activity that can only be performed in the snow and cold. If the outdoors are not for you during this time, then make a commitment to try a new activity this winter. Try something that will get you excited and test your body in a new way.
5) Relax — Stress during the holidays and winter is normally at an all time high. RELAX! Take time for yourself, don’t over-spend, over-eat or over-drink. Have some fun, life is meant to be enjoyed.
The winter is a great time to supercharge your health! Follow the steps above and let this be not only your healthiest winter yet, let it be the springboard to your healthiest year EVER!
Many people believe that chiropractic works only for spinal issues. Chiropractors are experts and locating and correcting subluxations (areas of stress) to the spine, but we are also trained to work with extremities as well. Chiropractic and extremities such as ankles, knees, wrists and shoulders work great together. Continue reading
Allergies and Chiropractic
Allergies got you down? Chiropractic can help!
It’s that time of year again. The weather is warming up, things are blooming, and your allergies are kicking! Well it doesn’t have to be that way. Many people in our office have experienced the allergy relieving effects of having their spine adjusted. Many other people are skeptical, and they ask, “how does having my spine adjusted help me with my allergies?” Continue reading
I had a patient come to see me for his lower back pain, but during his consultation it came to my attention that he was also suffering from vertigo for the past 3 years. He was not as concerned with his vertigo as he was his lower back pain because he thought there was nothing that could be done to correct it. He knew chiropractors fix back pain, but didn’t think vertigo was a “chiropractic issue” He had already been evaluated by the “specialists” and was given no answers.
One of my early mentors in Chiropractic taught me to always offer your patients hope. I know I have had many patients with vertigo get better, so I asked him if he would mind if I worked on improving his vertigo too? “Sure doc, just help me to feel better” was his response. After a careful examination I discovered not only did he have subluxations (vertebrae out of alignment) in his lower back, but he had a subluxation in his neck too. We got him set up on a treatment plan and after two weeks of adjustments, voila!! No more lower back pain or vertigo! He was amazed! For the first in many years he was able to check his blind spots while driving without getting dizzy!
Any time there is a mis-alignment or restriction in the spine it causes stress to the body. In this particular case, the subluxation in the cervical spine was causing vertigo. After specific spinal adjustments were applied, the vertigo disappeared. The best part of this story is that this patient has been vertigo free for over one year now! That is the power of chiropractic and a healthy spine and nervous system.
Be well!
When I was an intern in chiropractic school, I used to adjust an elderly gentleman in his late 80’s who was in phenomenal shape! He was agile, trim, active, and mentally very sharp. I asked him what his secret was to staying so healthy and happy. His answer was this: “I have been getting adjusted regularly for over 50 years and I make sure learn something new every year.” Being in chiropractic school I already understood the importance of adjustments (and I hope you do to) so I questioned him further. I asked him to give me an example and tell me what he was doing this year that was new. He told me “this year was really exciting because he was learning to play the drums and he had always wanted to do that since childhood!” He then told me “sometimes he would stick with his new adventure and sometimes not, it all depended on if he was having fun doing it or not!”
Ever since hearing that story I have made that my philosophy too, so every year I do something different because I like to stretch my comfort zone. One of my favorite sayings is, “growth happens at the end of your comfort zone” and if you are not growing, that means you are shrinking!
So every year I choose a new adventure to participate in. It is usually physical in nature, but doesn’t have to be. In 2010 I competed in an Olympic weightlifting competition, In 2011 I committed to riding a century, which is a 100 mile bike ride in one day! In 2012 I entered and competed in a powerlifting meet. In 2013 I ran a spartan race and I joined a hockey team and started playing the sport I haven’t played since I was in High School. I have also been learning Mandarin which is taking a lot longer than a year as you could imagine! I am not telling you this to impress you, I am telling you because it is possible for all of us to learn new things and get uncomfortable! Every time you perform a new activity or sport your brain builds new connections, your body changes, and you ultimately become a better, more rounded, healthier person.
So whether it is learning to golf, play the guitar, take an imrpov class, or join a new group…make 2014 the year you do at least one new thing! Do something that scares you, it will make your year more fun and ensure you are making the most of your life!
Going back to school has always been my favorite time of year. Re-connecting with friends, new classes, new teachers, and limitless possibilities, what’s not to love?! This time of the year also begins the “cold and flu” season. Most people are spending more time indoors, stress levels are higher, and the weather is getting colder. This is a great time remember that our body is designed perfectly and getting sick is OK.
Many times the first sign of sickness is a fever. We talk about fevers a lot in our office because they are important. Fevers are one of the bodies first defense mechanisms to fight off a cold or flu. Germs can only survive at a certain temperature, and our body, with it’s innate intelligence recognizes the body is under attack and raises it’s core internal temperature. THIS IS A GREAT THING! Can you see why it does not make sense to try and lower the fever? Yes, being sick and feverish is very uncomfortable, but by allowing your body to heal itself and letting the fever run it’s course you will heal much faster.
Oftentimes, when we get sick it is because we were exposed to germs at a time when our immune system is worn down or under stress. You see, we are exposed to germs every single day, but we are not sick every day! Our immune system is equipped to handle these challenges. It is when we are stressed, overworked, and under nourished that our immune system cannot adapt and we get sick. It’s or bodies way of telling us to take a break. Listen to the signals your body gives you, they are there for a reason!
When it comes to exercise, I often hear one of three excuses.
1) I don’t have the time
2) I don’t have the desire
3) I don’t know what to do
I would like to address each of these to help get you back on the exercise bandwagon. First, who does have time to exercise? I know I don’t, but guess what, I make the time to exercise! We all live in the same world. Family obligations, work deadlines, appointments, commuting, exhausting days, etc… The people you see walking down the street in perfect physical shape have these issues to deal with too. The difference is they see the value in scheduling time to improve their health and wellness. Your health is your number one asset, without it nothing else matters. The healthier you are the better you will be able to manage all the other obligations you have in your life. Unfortunately, a lot of people wait until a crisis to change. Don’t let this be you, make the time, I gurantee you have it!
Secondly, a lot of people are too lazy to start an exercise program. This is a catch 22 because as soon as you start working out, you all of a sudden feel like working out more! The hardest part is getting started. The easy part is to keep going. Just start, that is all it takes. Don’t look back one year from now and think to yourself, “I wish I started last year.” Being sedentary is just a habit, and the best way to break a bad habit is to create a new habit in place of the old one.
Lastly, a lot of people wonder what type of exercise is best for them. My answer to this question is always the same, “Do whatever it is you enjoy doing!” If you are going to take the time to exercise, make sure you are enjoying yourself. Exercise should not be a source of stress, it should be fun. Whether it be walking, swimming, lifting weights, yoga or hula hooping, enjoy it! Life is too short to not have fun!
We all know the importance of exercise and the numerous health benefits it provides. The human body was not designed to be sedentary, get up and get moving! If you need some motivation or ideas on getting started let me know, I’d love to help.