Heat Wave! Stay Safe

August 26, 2010

With the sudden heat wave over the last couple of days, we thought it would be a good time to reiterate a few important tips:

Drink plenty of water. This one is so important! How much water should you be drinking? Take your body weight in pounds, divide in half and aim for that many ounces per day. Since our bodies are 70% water, not only does it make sense to ingest enough for proper bodily functions but it also keeps soft tissue more pliable and less prone to injury. Want a healthy addition? Add a little bit of lemon!

Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Both caffeine and alcohol dehydrate your body, so it’s best to avoid both – especially when it’s really, really hot outside.

Protect your noggin. Your hat and sunglasses are more than a fashion statement: they protect the top of your head, your face and your eyes from the bright, burning sun. The best sunglasses to use have both UVA and UVB protection, so keep that in mind when selecting a pair! For more information about picking sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection, visit http://bit.ly/aRFLEG.

Wear sunscreen. Not all sunscreens are created equally. The Environmental Working Group rates sunscreens on both protective elements and amount of hazardous chemicals soaking into the skin. Check out their recommendations to find the best fit for you and your family.

Get your exercise. Although it’s hard to get motivated when it’s really hot outside, it’s still important to stay active. Some ideas when the temperature rises: go for a swim, run/walk somewhere shady or go to an air conditioned gym.

Football, Chiropractors and Safety

August 19, 2010

The second week of NFL pre-season football is this weekend, which means college, high school and youth football is just around the corner. Do you have kids, husbands, brothers, dads or friends that like to play? There are a few things you should know.

First of all, chiropractic care is a huge part of football. All NFL teams offer players chiropractic services to help manage and prevent injuries. Running Back Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints – last year’s Superbowl champions – has been receiving regular chiropractic care since he was in high school.

“I look at chiropractic care as important to keeping me healthy and at the top of my game,” said Bush, the former Heisman Trophy winner and two-time National Champion while playing for the USC.

He’s not alone. 2010 NFL Hall Of Fame inductee Jerry Rice, and former Wide Receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, credits his regular chiropractic visits for his performance. “I did a lot of things to stay in the game, but regular visits to my chiropractor made all the difference,” Rice claimed.

Regular visits to a chiropractor can help football players (and really all athletes) of any age. If you or someone you know plays on a team or scrimmages with friends on the weekends, here are five tips to keep in mind throughout the season:

1. Keep your head up during contact (serious injury typically occurs when tackling with the head down).
2. Avoid initiating contact with the head during blocking and tackling (do not to use the helmet as a point of primary contact).
3. Stay attentive during tackling and blocking drills.
4. Protect your neck.
5. If you are injured or feel dizzy, disoriented, nauseated or have a headache, tell your coach, trainer or chiropractor.

5 Tips for a Better You

August 12, 2010

Earlier this week, we posted an article, 5 Fitness Myths You Need to Forget, on our Facebook and Twitter pages. We thought it had some great information, which is why we decided to compile our own tips for a better you:

• What you put in your body matters. This includes food, supplements and external products (shampoo, lotion, etc). A good rule of thumb is, “keep it balanced and natural.” Try to find food, supplements and external products that are organic and all-natural, and use a wide variety to maintain balance.
• It’s called “diet AND exercise” for a reason. You can have the best diet in the world, but if you don’t exercise regularly you won’t be as healthy as you could be. Diet and exercise go hand-in-hand.
• What you do outside of workouts make a difference. Even if you work out every day, it’s still not good for your body to sit still for large chunks of time. Remember to stand up and stretch every hour.
• Schedule time with friends. Socialization is good for our sanity, and research shows it’s good for our physical health, too. Make sure you fit time with friends into your busy schedule.
• Sleep. Yes, it sounds basic, but most of us don’t get enough sleep at night. At least 7-8 hours is a good goal, although some people need more.

Bonus Tip: Have regular check-ups. Remember to see your chiropractor, dentist and any other health care professional you trust regularly. They will help you stay on track and catch early warning signs of a bigger problem.

What additional tips would you add to this list?

Friends Keep Friends Healthy

August 5, 2010

That’s right! Friends keep friends healthy – but not just through encouragement of a healthy lifestyle. A new study suggests that satisfying social relationships may be as important as not smoking when it comes to your lifespan, according to this article on CNN Health.

Amidst a full schedule of work, kids, a significant other, exercise, keeping on top of chores and everything else going on, it can be hard to invest time in friends. Here are a few suggestions for integrating social relationships into an already-busy week:

• Work out with a friend – Call up a friend or two and schedule a weekly or bi-weekly walk / trip to the gym. Chatting on the elliptical or while walking through a park will help keep your oxygen flowing, and provide some mental stimulation.
• Carpool – Does a coworker live near you? Take turns driving! Not only will this keep gas costs down and help out the environment, but it will help you get to know a coworker a little better, outside the confines of the job.
• Share a Meal – Everyone’s got to eat, so why not turn it into a social engagement? Invite another family over for some good food and good conversation.

What other suggestions do you have for spending time with friends during an already-busy week?

5 Ways To Stay Healthy on Vacation!

July 7, 2010

Summer is such a great time to travel! Often, traveling can get us run down and take a toll on our health, no matter how much fun we intend to have.

These 5 tips will help you make the most out of your vacation  and not come back feeling like you need ANOTHER vacation!

I love the tips except for the part about the sleep medication- you can always try something natural like melatonin instead. You will have fewer side effects and feel better for it!

5 Summer Stretches

July 1, 2010

Now that the weather’s completely warm and summer is full swing with activities like tennis, soccer, hiking, swimming, etc, we thought you might appreciate a few stretches to keep your body safe and loose all summer:

1. Quads - Grab one ankle and pull your heel to your buttock. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with the other leg.
2. Hamstrings - While standing, bend over at the waist and try to touch your toes while keeping your legs straight. Reach as far as you can and hold for 30 seconds.
3. Pecs - While standing in a doorway, put your hands/forearms on the doorframe and allow your chest to be stretched as you lean forward.
4. Calves - Stand near a curb and place one ball of the foot on the curb. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with the other leg.
5. Neck - Tilt you head to one side and place hand on top of the head. Gently increase pressure with your hand. Repeat on the other side.

A few things to keep in mind when stretching:

• Recent research suggests it is more important to stretch after a workout when muscles are warm rather than before exercise when they are cold.
• Do not bounce when you are stretching- hold for 30 seconds at 80 percent pressure and repeat.
• If you have a partner, stretch with a little resistance. Have your partner hold your stretch then as you are returning to neutral posture have your partner resist so the muscle is working then stretch again. This will help you achieve a deeper stretch.

Now go have fun enjoying the sun!

5 Ways to Squeeze Healthy Habits into a Busy Schedule

June 15, 2010

If you’re like us, your list of things to do outweighs the hours in the day. Given a hectic schedule, how do you find time to stay healthy, too? I recently read an article on www.SparkPeople.com with 13 tips for Fitting Healthy Habits Into Your Hectic Life. Here are 5 great ways to start:

1. Drink water throughout the day. You don’t hear this nearly enough: water is an all-purpose wonder-substance. It’s great for your skin, your digestive system, and circulatory system, and aids in weight loss and cellulite reduction. If you feel fatigued during the day, it’s often because you aren’t hydrated properly. Drink water throughout the day, sipping from a large bottle or glass. If you have it nearby, it’s easy to remember. If you don’t like the “taste” of water, keep a supply of lemon so that you can add a slice to your water – it cuts any bitterness, adds a bit of vitamin C and makes it taste more festive!
2. Stock up on healthy, portable snacks. When you are grocery shopping, pick up bags of baby carrots, string cheese, nuts, fresh and dried fruit, single serving packs of applesauce, yogurt, wholegrain crackers, peanut butter, turkey jerky, etc. Having healthy portable snacks around will help you avoid bad vending-machine, convenience store and fast-food options.
3. Take the time to plan healthy meals for the week. Spend 15 minutes or so to map out your meals. Keep it simple. Then, when you shop for groceries, make your purchases based on the meals you will make during the week. This will help you avoid relying on less healthy take-out or fast food choices.
4. Take a walk break during the day. Even 20 minutes can make a difference in your energy level, plus it gives you time to clear your head. If you walk with a friend or colleague, it also gives you time to socialize.
5. Get enough sleep. Even if you gain more time in your day by cutting back on sleep, you will be less effective throughout the day, as your energy level and cognitive functioning will be reduced. Insufficient sleep also makes you more susceptible to illness. By getting enough sleep, you become more efficient during the time you are awake.

Read all 13 tips at http://bit.ly/aPLURs.

The Doctors of the Future are Here

June 8, 2010

Over 100 years ago, Thomas Edison said, “The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” It appears he was right.

According to the American Academy of Physicians, there is a severe shortage of primary care medical doctors. This shortage is expected to reach 40,000 within the next ten years and climb to 124,400 by 2025 according to The Associate of American Medical Colleges. There are multiple reasons for this shortage, including a shift in consumer demand towards drug free primary health care, the type of care provided by doctors of chiropractic.

Over the past 30 years, chiropractors have gradually become the primary health care provider for millions of individuals and families. Thinking about Edison’s words of wisdom, chiropractors appear to be right on target.

To begin with, chiropractors definitely care for the human frame. The alignment of the spine is critical to good health because of its intimate relationship with the nervous system. Basic anatomy teaches that the nervous system controls and coordinates the function of every cell, tissue and organ of the body. This vital and delicate system is protected by the spine and requires proper alignment to function normally. Good alignment and spinal function make it possible for healthy communication from the brain to the body as well as the body to the brain. Keeping this pathway clear and strong, which is one primary goal of a chiropractor, is essential for good health.

People of all ages are realizing the importance of staying well, and the role that a healthy frame plays in accomplishing this. Many doctors of chiropractic also provide nutrition, fitness and drug free health education to their patients and community as a way to be proactive and make a healthy lifestyle a priority. With the recent problems at the FDA, highly publicized drug side effects, and growing mistrust in our country’s drug culture, people are trusting their bodies more and making choices which include chiropractic care.

Regardless of age, it is never too late to care for your frame, eat healthy, exercise and minimize or eliminate drugs from your life. Learn more by calling our office at (408) 979-9999.

5 Stay Safe Tips

June 3, 2010

As June is National Safety Month, we wanted to provide a few “Stay Safe” tips to incorporate into your day-to-day activities:

1. Stay focused while driving. There has been an increase in accidents and deaths from distracted driving. Driving while texting or on the phone is like driving under the influence. Be smart, don’t text or talk while driving.
2. Always wear a helmet when biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, skiing or snowboarding. You need to protect your most important organ and, although they may not be very stylish, neither is a traumatic brain injury.
3. Stay well hydrated during the day. How much? Take your body weight in pounds, divide in half and aim for that many ounces per day. Since our bodies are 70% water, not only does it make sense to ingest enough for proper bodily functions but it also keeps soft tissue more pliable and less prone to injury.
4. Incorporate stretching into your daily routine. This is easily accomplished in the shower where there is a warm moist environment. This can help alleviate stress and bring your body into a more restful state.
5. Practice good posture whether you are sitting, exercising, gardening, lifting something heavy, or just walking! In general, focus on tilting pelvis forward, pulling in your bellybutton to your spine, shoulders down and back and neck elongated.

Remember to stay safe, and happy June!

Long Hours Are Bad News For Your Heart

May 24, 2010

Our days are getting longer and longer and the research is showing that those long days at the office are causing stress to our systems beyond what it can adapt to.

A study of British civil servants showed that those working 11 hour days showed a 60% increase in the likelihood of having an adverse cardiac event than those who clocked out after 7 hours.

Although this study was done on people working in an office environment, I believe that you can extend these finding to those also working at home! A healthy, happy life is about finding balance. On your deathbed, you won’t be saying “I wish I had worked more” – no one does- find those activities you enjoy  that PULL you away from your work!

How do YOU find balance in your life??

Next Page »

• Search Here!

  Search for: