How Well Do You Adapt?
May 1, 2012
Have you ever thought about the difference between something living and something dead? What changes the moment that we, or our pet or a tree stops living?
Scientists know that one of the things that distinguishes something that is alive from something that isn't, is its ability to adapt to its environment. A rock doesn't adapt. Nor does a fence post. But we do if we're alive.We generally take it for granted, but moving out of the path of an approaching vehicle, perspiring when it's hot or squinting in the bright sun are all adaptations. These and the many other ways we adapt to our environment are governed by the integrity of our nervous systems - the focus of your chiropractic care.
While many see chiropractic care as a source of neck and back pain relief, our interest in your spine is because it's the most vulnerable part of your nervous system. Nerve interference along your spine can wreak havoc with your ability to adapt, accommodate and respond to your environment.
If chiropractic helps you with an ache or a pain, we're delighted. Sometimes less obvious is its ability to help you adapt and optimally perform mentally, physically and socially... which is the true definition of being healthy!
While many see chiropractic care as a source of neck and back pain relief, our interest in your spine is because it's the most vulnerable part of your nervous system. Nerve interference along your spine can wreak havoc with your ability to adapt, accommodate and respond to your environment.
If chiropractic helps you with an ache or a pain, we're delighted. Sometimes less obvious is its ability to help you adapt and optimally perform mentally, physically and socially... which is the true definition of being healthy!
Bones or Nerves?
We live our lives through our nervous systems. Whether it's enjoying a sunset, digesting dinner or warding off an infection, our nervous systems control everything. Better nervous system = better life.
Our culture is focused on blood, such as pulse, blood pressure and cholesterol. Yet these largely result from nervous system directions. So even the smallest nervous system disturbance can dramatically affect the way your whole body works.
Since the moving bones of the spinal column are in such close proximity to the spinal cord, and the 31 pairs of nerve roots that branch out from it, many people think chiropractic is all about bones.
Our culture is focused on blood, such as pulse, blood pressure and cholesterol. Yet these largely result from nervous system directions. So even the smallest nervous system disturbance can dramatically affect the way your whole body works.
Since the moving bones of the spinal column are in such close proximity to the spinal cord, and the 31 pairs of nerve roots that branch out from it, many people think chiropractic is all about bones.
But I see myself as a nerve doctor, not a bone doctor. The spinal column is merely where we find the vertebral subluxations that are often the source of nerve disturbances between the brain and body. Reducing nervous system tension allows your body to work normally so health can return. Simple, really.
The Healing Power of the Mind
Question: What do the spells cast by voodoo practitioners and researchers testing the effectiveness of the latest drug concoction have in common?
Answer: The placebo effect. The placebo effect means the more you believe you'll benefit from a drug or procedure, the more likely it is that you will experience a benefit.
From time to time we encounter skeptics who dismiss the sometimes amazing results our practice members receive. Writing them off as merely the placebo effect, these cynics virtually ignore the mind/body connection that most forward-thinking health care experts are finally starting to recognize.
Placebo (from the Latin "I will please") is often a sugar pill or some type of sham treatment designed to specifically invoke the beliefs of the practice member, and in double blind studies, the beliefs of the doctor. Some studies show that placebos are 30% to 40% effective.
And don't overlook the "nocebo" effect!
Nocebo (from the Latin "I will harm") is based on the effects of negative beliefs. Telling someone to get their affairs in order because they have two months to live is almost a death sentence! Being "scared to death" or "worried sick" can be equally powerful expressions of our self-talk.
Is the success that chiropractic practice members enjoy merely the placebo effect? Hardly. Chiropractic helps newborns, infants and even pets, for which the power of the believing mind is difficult to explain.
As you know from personal experience, chiropractic results are real. If you know someone you think could benefit, would you direct them our way? We'd love to help!
If you don't take the tie for your health now, you will need to take the time for your sickness later on.
Consult with Natural Healing Expert, Dr. Jeremy Hozjan to discover how he helps people with a wide range of medical problems, from the merely annoying to those that are life-threatening.
Call Today to take back control of your health - 704-523-2367!
Age Well
April 27, 2012Age Well
People are living longer it's a simple fact. And it certainly doesn't appear that it will reverse itself any time soon. As we age, most of us want to stay as healthy as we can physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually so we can enjoy a quality of life that is optimal in our "golden years." We want to age gracefully, not just get old. How can we do that?- Age actively, not passively - don't let age get the best of you make healthy choices that are purposeful and support your feeling good
- Stay physically active avoid the sedentary life style and walk regularly or get some type of physical exercise, stop smoking, avoid heavy alcohol and drug use, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise your brain do crossword puzzles, take a course for fun, learn how to play an instrument, play board games that require thinking, create something new, paint, enjoy a hobby
- Exercise your sociability don't be a loner, meet friends for dinner, or better yet, lunch (eating a larger meal midday is better), see family, enjoy the grandchildren, volunteer, help those less fortunate
- Exercise positive thinking focus on the good in your life, think positive thoughts, see the glass as half-full what you think you attract into your life so make sure it's good!
- Stay in touch with a higher power pray, meditate, attend communal services - those who engage in some type of spiritual activity tend to be healthier and happier at any age!
Remember the insides often reflect on the outside. If you want to look good try feeling good and stay optimistic. Then the "golden years" really can shine!
If you don't take the tie for your health now, you will need to take the time for your sickness later on.
If you don't take the tie for your health now, you will need to take the time for your sickness later on.
Consult with Natural Healing Expert, Dr. Jeremy Hozjan to discover how he helps people with a wide range of medical problems, from the merely annoying to those that are life-threatening.
Call Today to take back control of your health - 704-523-2367!
Call Today to take back control of your health - 704-523-2367!
Better With Breakfast
April 23, 2012You get up at 6:30, throw a bowl of cereal at the kids, or some toast, and get them on the bus to school, shower, dress and you're out the door, ready to take on the challenges of a new day at the office by the time you arrive at 9. But are you? Think maybe you forgot something? How about breakfast?
Hard to believe that roughly 96% of people in a recent survey admitted that eating breakfast is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle, when their actual behavior demonstrates an entirely different story. Generally, most people have no consistency in their breakfast-eating habits. Some eat on weekends, but not during the week, some eat it on the fly (on their way to work, in work, or running out the door) and many skip it altogether - behavior that doesn't fall in line with what they actually know.
After about 12 hours of fasting, your body needs some energy to switch gears from sleep mode to active mode. A nutritious breakfast gets your metabolism fired up and working and helps with the dip in blood sugar levels that can make you crave sweets mid-morning and reach for a sugary, high-calorie snack.
People who eat a nutritious breakfast are prone to be leaner and more energetic, have a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease, and have better concentration when performing job or school-related tasks.What does a nutritious breakfast include? Generally, one that includes some type of fruit or fruit juice, a fiber source (such as whole grain bread or cereal), and protein (eggs, yogurt, soy) is a good start.
If you are normally a breakfast "skipper," you may want to try eating breakfast for a few days and see how you feel. You may notice that you don't get that mid-morning slump and that your whole day seems better somehow. It might actually make a believer out of you when you hear that breakfast really is the most important meal of the day!
Consult with Natural Healing Expert, Dr. Jeremy Hozjan to discover how he helps people with a wide range of medical problems, from the merely annoying to those that are life-threatening.
Call Today to take back control of your health - 704-523-2367!
Call Today to take back control of your health - 704-523-2367!
Exercise and Target Heart Rate
April 20, 2012
If you are in any way involved on the exercise circuit, you hear a lot about target heart rate--achieving it, measuring it, and maintaining it.
Target heart rate is the goal you should attempt to reach when doing any type of aerobic exercise in order to gain the greatest benefit. It is measured as a range and, depending on your present level of exercise or fitness, you may want to start at the lower end of the range and work your way up. It is also to be used as a guide, based on age.
As with any type of exercise program, you need to keep in mind that target heart rate is only a guide. Because every person is different, you need to pay close attention to how you feel, your breathing, and your heart beat so you can avoid overexertion or straining yourself. In addition, you should not use target heart rate if you are taking certain medications (i.e., beta-blockers) or have a heart condition or other illness that could affect your heart without first checking with a health care professional.
Here is a simple formula to help you determine your target heart rate:
As with any type of exercise program, you need to keep in mind that target heart rate is only a guide. Because every person is different, you need to pay close attention to how you feel, your breathing, and your heart beat so you can avoid overexertion or straining yourself. In addition, you should not use target heart rate if you are taking certain medications (i.e., beta-blockers) or have a heart condition or other illness that could affect your heart without first checking with a health care professional.
Here is a simple formula to help you determine your target heart rate:
- Subtract your current age from 220. The remainder is your maximum heart rate in beats per minute. (This general guideline is used for a person with a resting heart range of 70-85 beats per minute.)
- Determine the 70% and 80% level of your maximum heart rate to get your optimal target heart range. To do this, multiply your maximum heart rate number by 0.7 and by 0.8. The numbers you get are your target heart range - 70% is the low-end number and 80% is the high-end number.
- Learn how to take your pulse. The best places are on the carotid artery in your neck (halfway between your chin and your shoulders) or the radial artery in your wrist. Use your index and middle fingers to feel your pulse in either of these areas
- When taking your pulse during your workout, count your number of heartbeats for 10 seconds and then multiply the number times six to make sure you are in your target heart beat range.
- Try to stay within your target heart range for the duration of your workout. Take your pulse at regular intervals to make sure you are staying within the target heart range. If your heart rate is too fast, slow down a bit. If it is too slow, speed up or increase the intensity of your workout.
Consult with Natural Healing Expert, Dr. Jeremy Hozjan to discover how he helps people with a wide range of medical problems, from the merely annoying to those that are life-threatening.
Call Today to take back control of your health - 704-523-2367!
Managing a Mid-Life Crisis
April 16, 2012Ah... the mid-life crisis often a common excuse for anything from buying an expensive sports car to some form of plastic surgery in a last-ditch effort to hold on to or regain lost youth.
Elliot Jacques, a Canadian psychoanalyst, coined the term "midlife crisis" in 1965. At that time, he was not referring to what happens to the man who wakes up one day, leaves his job, his wife and his kids and runs off to Tahiti with his mistress. He was talking about the fact that many people find themselves wondering, "Is this all there is to life?"
Today, the idea of a mid-life crisis has evolved into something more especially for women. While men battle such things as hair loss, the threat of a younger executive taking over their job, weight gain, and sexual problems, women's mid-life crises are often more emotional than physical, even though the hormonal changes that accompany mid-life, and menopause, are sudden and drastic.
Today, the idea of a mid-life crisis has evolved into something more especially for women. While men battle such things as hair loss, the threat of a younger executive taking over their job, weight gain, and sexual problems, women's mid-life crises are often more emotional than physical, even though the hormonal changes that accompany mid-life, and menopause, are sudden and drastic.
So how do you survive a mid-life crisis? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Stay Calm do not, repeat, do not let fear and negativity overwhelm you. Just as it is better to see the glass as half-full, it is better to see the best years of your life ahead of you, not behind you. A mid-life crisis is as temporary as adolescence, more fleeting, and if you really think about it, a whole lot less painful!
- Don't Run Away - or turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate or have an extra-marital affair. These are stopgap measures that may bring temporary relief, but result in permanent problems. Make changes that enhance your life, as long as you don't compromise your core values.
- Keep the Faith When all else fails, believe that you will come out of this experience a better person, with a renewed spirit and zest for life. Happens all the time. Just keep looking for the light at the end of the tunnel, and realize that no, it's not an oncoming train!
Consult with Natural Healing Expert, Dr. Jeremy Hozjan to discover how he helps people with a wide range of medical problems, from the merely annoying to those that are life-threatening.
Call Today to take back control of your health - 704-523-2367!
Call Today to take back control of your health - 704-523-2367!
What Kind of Headache?
April 16, 2012
You feel a pounding headache coming on, but what kind of headache is it? Are you aware that there are many different types, each with a unique set of causes and symptoms?
The most common types of headaches include:
Tension-type Headaches
There are two types, episodic and chronic. Someone with chronic headaches often wakes up and goes to sleep with a headache and feels a constant tightness or ache in the head and neck areas.Migraine Headaches
A vascular-type headache, migraines are debilitating and often are accompanied by nausea/vomiting and acute sensitivity to sound and light. Women suffer more from migraines than men, possibly due to frequent hormonal changes.Cluster Headaches
Occurring more often in men, cluster headaches may actually be the most severe of all headaches. They usually only last 30-60 minutes, however, they may recur several times throughout the day. Chronic smoking and alcohol use often contribute to the onset of cluster headaches.Hormone Headaches
More frequent among women, hormone headaches usually occur in conjunction with PMS and menstruation. Women who take birth control pills may also experience hormone headaches with greater frequency. Symptoms are similar to those associated with a migraine a one-sided, throbbing headache that includes light/noise sensitivity.Rebound Headaches
Caused by the over use/abuse of over-the-counter and prescribed headache remedies that often contain caffeine. Headache sufferers tend to use the medications in higher dosages or more frequently than prescribed, causing a headache "rebound effect."Do you know someone who complains frequently of headaches? Based on the success our practice enjoys with all types of headaches, improperly moving bones of the upper neck are common culprits.
There can be a variety of other cuases for headaches as well. Nutrition Response Testing will identify the source, if it is not a chiropractic issue.
Call us to schedule a Chiropractic and/or Nutrition Response Testing evaluation!
Consult with Natural Healing Expert, Dr. Jeremy Hozjan to discover how he helps people with a wide range of medical problems, from the merely annoying to those that are life-threatening.
Call Today to take back control of your health - 704-523-2367!
Fore!
April 13, 2012The 'weekend warrior' approach to golfing can result in lower back problems.
For many, a relaxing game of golf is the perfect way to spend a sunny Saturday with three of your best friends. But, when Sunday or Monday morning rolls around, some feel pronounced pain in the lower back. Can one of our favorite leisure time activities actually cause lower back pain?
Many weekend golfers lack proper swing technique and have no type of regular physical activity built into their weekly schedules. Inexperienced golfers tend to swing harder and the muscles used in this type of swing get overly stressed. An improper swing causes tension on the lower back. Investing in some golf lessons to learn proper swing mechanics could potentially lessen this risk.
Engaging in a regular walking exercise program or aerobic activity that benefits the entire body is also helpful in preventing lower back pain. In addition, older golfers (and younger ones too!) need to be aware of their endurance levels when they play. As a golfer gets tired, swing mechanics worsen, leading to more spinal stress and stiffness and increased lower back pain.
It's interesting to note that even the most avid golfers obtain regular chiropractic care to improve their game. Pro golfer Tiger Woods states that lifting weights and visiting his chiropractor regularly have made him a better golfer. If chiropractic care works for Tiger, it could improve your golf game too!
Consult with Natural Healing Expert, Dr. Jeremy Hozjan to discover how he helps people with a wide range of medical problems, from the merely annoying to those that are life-threatening.
Call Today to take back control of your health - 704-523-2367!
Pain is Not the Problem
April 9, 2012
Many people begin chiropractic care because of an ache or a pain. Pain can be distracting, debilitating, irritating or annoying. Pain can be chronic, acute, intense or intermittent. Pain can be sharp or dull. And pain can be localized or general. Pain may be a pain, but pain is not the problem!
Pain is a symptom. A signal. A sign. An indicator. A warning. Pain is no more a problem than a traffic light or your alarm clock jarring you awake.If there's a problem, it's the meaning we attach to the pain.
When we meet practice members who are in pain, our first thought is that they must have exceeded some physical, chemical or emotional limit to which they can no longer adapt. So, while we're interested in the pain, we're even more interested in what was the underlying cause of the pain. Did it just happen? Has it been present a long time? What circumstances brought it on? Plus, what change(s) should be made to avoid this in the future?
Do you know someone who thinks pain is a problem? Please send them our way. Because in our practice, pain is never a problem!
Pain is a symptom. A signal. A sign. An indicator. A warning. Pain is no more a problem than a traffic light or your alarm clock jarring you awake.If there's a problem, it's the meaning we attach to the pain.
When we meet practice members who are in pain, our first thought is that they must have exceeded some physical, chemical or emotional limit to which they can no longer adapt. So, while we're interested in the pain, we're even more interested in what was the underlying cause of the pain. Did it just happen? Has it been present a long time? What circumstances brought it on? Plus, what change(s) should be made to avoid this in the future?
Do you know someone who thinks pain is a problem? Please send them our way. Because in our practice, pain is never a problem!
Killer Painkillers
In a recent New England Journal of Medicinearticle, researchers disclosed that the adverse effects of using NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like aspirin, ibuprofen and others, can include stomach bleeding, ulcers and, in some cases, death.
Millions take NSAIDs without much thought. However, research has shown that bleeding and ulcers occur half the time... often, with no symptoms. Among the people who develop serious bleeding from NSAIDs and require visits to the hospital, 10 to 15% will die. In fact, 2,000 people in the United Kingdom die each year from gastro-duodenal lesions from taking NSAIDs.
These drugs simply cover up your body's warning signs and fool the body. Every day we help locate and reduce the underlying cause of many types of health problems. Is it time for a chiropractic checkup for you, or someone you know, who thoughtlessly reaches into the medicine cabinet?
The Cost of Illness
Are you one serious illness away from bankruptcy? Many in America with "health" insurance policies think they're protected from the burden of huge medical bills. Sadly, that's just not true. In a Harvard University study of almost 2,000 Americans in bankruptcy court, half said that illness or medical bills drove them to bankruptcy.
Every 30 seconds in the United States, someone files for bankruptcy because of a serious health problem. Over 75% of those had insurance but lost coverage during the course of their illness. Thus, they face the double disaster of illness and bankruptcy.
"If you're sick enough, long enough, you're likely to be financially ruined," cautioned Dr. David Himmelstein the lead author of the Harvard study.
Once thought largely the result of bad financial choices, bankruptcy is increasingly accompanying serious health problems. People who go under from medical debt are mostly middle- or working-class homeowners. The solution? Don't get sick. But how?
Many people neglect their health until their symptoms are unbearable. By then, problems can be well advanced or even irreversible. That's why we suggest wellness visits. Visiting our practice when you feel great may sound unusual or even a little strange, but preventative chiropractic care and similar measures may actually provide more "insurance" than your insurance.
Consult with Natural Healing Expert, Dr. Jeremy Hozjan to discover how he helps people with a wide range of medical problems, from the merely annoying to those that are life-threatening.
Call Today to take back control of your health - 704-523-2367!
Call Today to take back control of your health - 704-523-2367!
Latest Blog Posts
- Chiropractic Patients Have 90% Reduction in Migraine Frequency
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- Chiropractic and Exercise Is Perfect Combination for Back Pain Treatment
- Chiropractic Plus Exercise Eases Cervicogenic Headache, Study Suggests
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Why Chiropractic is the Best Solution for Sciatica Pain
Sciatica and chiropracticFortunately, a recent study offers hope to sciatica patients: chiropractic care can speed the recovery from sciatica flare ups and allow patients to return to work sooner (2).
The study evaluated 44 Norwegian workers after they came to the hospital with severe sciatica pain. Most of those patients had been experiencing pain for three or more weeks prior to their hospital visit.
The hospital chiropractor examined each patient to evaluate his/her posture and gait, range of motion, and palpation of the lumbar spine.
The chiropractic then performed various joint adjustments to the spine and other limbs that had been injured through patients compensating for pain. Ice treatment was also used to relieve soft tissue soreness.Patients were treated daily in the hospital and later three times a week for the first two weeks. Some patients needed additional follow-up treatment but typically did not exceed 14 treatments.
In matter of 21 days, 91% of patients returned to work full-time. Two patients returned to work part time. Researchers concluded this study demonstrates the potent benefits of collaboration between chiropractors and orthopedic surgeons. Chiropractic care can put an end to your sciatica pain so you can begin living your life fully again.
Posted in chiropractic, Chiropractic News, Sciatica, sciatica treatment, Understanding Sciatica
- Arana E, Marti-Bonmati L, Vega M, et al. Relationship between low back pain, disability, MR imaging findings and health care provider. Skeletal Radiology 2006;35(9):641-7.
- Orlin JR, Didriksen A. Results of chiropractic treatment of lumbopelvic fixation in 44 patients admitted to an orthopedic department. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2007;30:135-139.
