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Anxiety is high right now for many people in many different ways. There are plenty of ways to combat anxiety and can give your mind and body the best chance to calm down naturally. Often with anxiety, people simply get caught in loops and patterns of repeat. The natural recommendations in this two-part series are designed to help you create a bit of structure to your daily behaviors that will allow you to contain the anxiety and hopefully eliminate some of the repetitive patterns and move forward calmly. Regular Chiropractic Adjustments The nervous system is the communication system through which you live and experience and live your life. The brain speaks to your body by sending messages down through the spinal cord and out miles of nerves to every single cell, system, structure, and organ. They also send information back through the nerves up the cord and to the brain. The spine houses and protects the nervous system. When the spine is moving and functioning optimally, the nervous system transmission is offered the best opportunity to flourish in its communication paths. When you experience anxiety, the nervous system can be overloaded or over- stimulated; it can also be caught in patterns that are contributing to the experience of high anxiety. One of the ways this overstimulation can occur is when a spinal vertebrae is not moving through its full range of motion, which is commonly called “misaligned.” This can cause excess stress on the nervous system and can overload it, while the effects could be too numerous to mention; certainly, a professional can infer that experiencing anxiety is a logical possibility. In my experience, patients have often commented on a decrease in anxiety after I adjust the first cervical vertebrae (the first bone in the neck). My professional opinion is that this has the most significant effect on anxiety levels due to the fact that a portion of the brain stem sits in the middle of that vertebrae so that when a subluxation is corrected at that level, a good deal of pressure on the nervous system is relieved, thereby creating a drop in anxiety levels. The chiropractic adjustment decreases the structural pressure on the nervous system. The Basics Folks in this society sleep too little, don’t drink enough water, and eat crappy food. These are the basics in life. When we deprive ourselves of the basics or minimally decrease their consumption significantly on a consistent basis, without doubt it will affect the nervous system’s ability to handle stress of daily life and get overloaded more easily — thus, experiencing anxiety is far more likely. Make sure you follow these basics. Set a regular bed time and rise time – Stick to it. Give yourself between 7-9 hours nightly and see what your body needs. In addition, do as best you can to make sure the room is as dark as possible. This will assist your body in going into as deep of sleep as possible. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily – Every cell of your body requires water. Depriving yourself of proper amounts of water on a regular basis for years on end will, without doubt, contribute to your body’s function and nervous system’s ability to operate with greatest ease, as well as the mind’s ability to deal with, adapt to, and decrease stress. Drink proper amounts of water daily. Eat clean – Cleaner food is better. Food with fewer chemicals and processing, and as close as possible to its natural state, will always be better for your body and its ability to use that food as fuel. When the body is properly fueled, it is better equipped to deal with and adapt to stress on the nervous system and decrease levels of anxiety. In addition, the chemicals themselves can add another level of stress to the body because it now has to deal with cleaning those out or mitigating the effects. Eating an apple with no chemicals is less stressful and more usable for the body than one riddled with pesticide. It’s not rocket science. The less stress, the better the ability of the body to handle and mitigate anxiety. People don’t realize that there can be a structural element to anxiety, which means that health and function of your spine can contribute to the physical patterns of anxiety that the nervous system is running. People also don’t realize that depriving themselves of basic needs of quality sleep, proper amounts of water, and clean food hinder their ability to deal with, adapt to, and decrease anxiety. Engage with these guidelines in your daily life consistently for 30 days and you will see a shift. Schedule an appointment to talk to our doctor about how chiropractic may be able to help you take your health to the next level.

Scientific research has proven that chiropractic corrective care can significantly decrease low back pain by removing neurological interference and restoring proper biomechanics to the lumbar spine. Here are the results: Decreased low back pain significantly Improved lumbar spine range of motion Decreased muscle spasms and inflammation Decreased medication consumption Reduced medical expenses and work days missed Reduced possibility of low back surgeries and injections Improved quality of life In closing: There is an urgent problem facing our community where families are being compromised due to misinformation about health. Americans have never been as sick, diseased, or symptomatic as we are today. There are an endless amount of people who are suffering, who have been through the ringer and have tried anything and everything to no avail. Schedule an appointment to talk to our doctor about how chiropractic may be able to help you take your health to the next level. RESEARCH REFERENCES Low back pain: Comparison of chiropractic and hospital outpatient treatment. (1990). Bmj. 300 (6740), 1647-1650. Tettambel, M., (2012). Is Spinal Manipulation an Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain? Yes: Spinal manipulation is a Useful Adjunct Therapy. Am Fam Physician. 15;85 (8):760-762. Sanders G.E., Reinert O., Tepe R., Maloney P. (1990). Chiropractic adjustive manipulation subjects with acute low back pain: visual analog pain scores and plasma beta-endorphin levels Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 13(7) 391-395.

​Ear Infections and Chiropractic Care If you have kids, it's likely you know a thing or two about ear infections. In the United States, five out of six children experience an ear infection by three years old. Children are more prone to ear infections due to their immature Eustachian tube (part of the middle ear), which in infancy and early childhood is shorter and angled. This allows bacteria to more easily access the middle ear. While ear infections are most common in children, adults can experience them as well. ​ Luckily, there are non-drug treatments for this common condition. Read on to learn about how chiropractic can decrease ear infections. Symptoms and Causes Ear infections are caused by a bacteria or virus in the middle ear, and can be painful due to inflammation and a build-up of fluids. Colds, flu and allergies can bring on an ear infection due to the congestion and swelling of nasal passages, throat and Eustachian tubes. ​ In most cases, the symptoms and signs of ear infection develop rapidly. The most common symptoms include: Ear pain, worsened when lying down Difficulty sleeping Drainage of fluid from the ear Diminished hearing Loss of balance Fever Headache Symptoms to Look for in Children Tugging or pulling at an ear Difficulty sleeping Crying more than usual Irritable/changes in mood Lack of response to sounds Fevers over 100° F Medical Treatment of Ear Infections Typically, ear infections clear up on their own, so low intervention is often the best route to take. Medical doctors will sometimes recommend antibiotics, especially for infants and in severe cases, as well as NSAIDs to relieve pain. Unfortunately, there are side effects associated with short and long-term antibiotic and NSAID usage, and it's best to use them as sparingly as possible. ​ Chiropractic Care for Treating Ear Infections Developing research and studies do indicate a connection between ear infections and chiropractic. Popular pediatric doctor, William Sears, MD, highly recommends utilizing chiropractic treatment for improving middle ear drainage and decreasing ear infections. ​ In a 1996 study, forty-six children under the age of five received regular chiropractic adjustments to treat the symptoms of ear infection, and researchers found that 93 percent of all episodes improved, 75 percent in 10 days or fewer and 43 percent with only one or two treatments. In closing: There is an urgent problem facing our community where families are being compromised due to misinformation about health. Americans have never been as sick, diseased, or symptomatic as we are today. There are an endless amount of people who are suffering, who have been through the ringer and have tried anything and everything to no avail. Schedule an appointment to talk to our doctor about how chiropractic may be able to help you take your health to the next level.

Do you ever wake up with a dull ache in your back, hips or legs? Or, maybe a pain that seems to radiate throughout your entire lower body without rhyme or reason? It’s possible that sciatica is to blame, and the best way to get rid of sciatic pain is to understand its root cause. What is Sciatica? Sciatic pain results when the sciatic nerve is compressed, irritated, or inflamed. Common culprits can be herniated discs, misaligned spinal bones, tense or tight muscles, as well as an injury to or near the nerve. As the longest nerve in your body, it runs from the lower back through the hips, buttocks and down into each leg. As it touches so many crucial parts of your body, it’s easy to see how it can become irritated. Sciatic pain can also be triggered by things like: Unsupportive shoes Sitting on a full back pocket-i.e., one with a phone, keys or wallet in it resulting in an uneven seated position Stress How to Get Sciatica Under Control While sciatica can be painful to deal with, there is hope at getting it under control. As slipped or herniated discs, inflammation and misaligned spinal bones are common culprits, giving chiropractic care a try is often a first step. The goal of care with us will be to improve the way your body is functioning, restoring its ability to heal itself naturally through focused, gentle care. Not only can we provide specific adjustments, but we’ll also recommend various stretches and exercises to help you manage and overcome the discomfort. We look forward to seeing you in the practice soon! Schedule an appointment to talk to our doctor about how chiropractic may be able to help you take your health to the next level.

These No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Balls are a nutrient packed snack that will help keep you and your kids taste buds and stomach satisfied! Granola bars, step aside! There is a new snack in town, these No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Balls! They make for a great addition to breakfast or even dessert! This recipe calls for a bunch of pantry staples and is a great way to use up odds in ends including cereals, nuts, dried fruit and nut/seed butters. You can use just about whatever you have in your pantry. Ingredients You Need for these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls Oats Cereal (anything you got!) Nuts: almonds, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, walnuts, pecans etc. Dried fruit: raisins, craisins, dates, prunes, apricots, apples, pineapple, blueberries etc. Nut and/or seed butter ( you can even add in a couple different ones!) Honey Cinnamon Chocolate chips/chunks Chia or hemp seeds (if you have them!) They only take 10 minutes to prepare and no baking is required! I have been making a batch just about every week for snacks or dessert. My hubby and kids are also big fans! My son loves to help me dump everything into the bowl and then often starts eating the mixture before we have a chance to shape them into balls. Truth be told this mixture is great as is, pressed into bars, or shaped into balls like you see it here. Ways Your Kids Can Help Make these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls Measure out ingredients Use their creativity to help pick out which nuts/dried fruit/nut butter/cereal to use in the recipe Pour, mix, mash ingredients together Scoop and shape into balls/circle Ingredients 1 cup old fashioned oats 1 cup cereal ( e.g. Cherrios or Corn Flakes) 1/3 cup nuts 1/3 cup dried fruit 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 tablespoons chia and/or hemp seeds 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup natural nut or seed butter 1/4 cup honey Instructions In a large bowl add oats, cereal, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate chips and cinnamon. Mix together. In a small bowl add peanut butter and honey. If needed, heat for 30 seconds to make it easier to mix. Add peanut butter and honey mixture to dry mixture and mix to combine. Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, mash mixture together to break cereal and nuts into smaller pieces. ( I find that this makes it easier to form mixture into balls) Then using the scoop or spoon portion out ~ 1/8 cup the granola mixture and form into a ball. To prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands try spraying a small amount of cooking spray and rubbing over your hands (you may need to repeat every few balls). Place formed balls on a cookie sheet or plate. Place cookie sheet in freezer for 10 minutes to allow granola bites to harden. Store granola bites in an airtight container or ziplock bag in the refrigerator. Schedule an appointment to talk to our doctor about how chiropractic may be able to help you take your health to the next level.

What Is Peripheral Neuropathy? Peripheral neuropathy is a frustrating, life impairing condition that is frequently overlooked until it’s too late to treat effectively. ​ This disorder involves nerve damage that affects the extremities of the body, such as the arms and legs, with symptoms that often include pain resembling the experience of pressure from pins and needles. It may result from an underlying cause such as diabetic neuropathy, or the disorder can be idiopathic, with no apparent cause. ​ Common causes of peripheral neuropathy include vitamin deficiencies, injury, and medication. In many cases of peripheral neuropathy, the underlying cause is idiopathic. Fortunately, recent advances in treatment are offering relief even for idiopathic peripheral neuropathy sufferers. Treating Peripheral Neuropathy When it comes to the conventional treatment options available for peripheral neuropathy, many patients choose medication to alleviate their symptoms. The most common medical treatment consists of prescription drugs, such as Gabapentin, Neurontin, Lyrica and Cymbalta. Unfortunately, these prescription medications interact with all of your nerves. They may relieve the pain that neuropathy can cause, but they won’t treat the underlying condition. There are better options available for sufferers today, and you can choose the treatment option you believe is best for your health. ​ Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy Many people choose chiropractic care to fight this disorder. This solution gives sufferers a noninvasive yet effective way to treat their condition. There are several causes of neuropathy, ranging from diabetic neuropathy to chemotherapy treatment and nerve compression syndromes. Chiropractic care treats peripheral neuropathy by targeting affected areas with physical therapy. Patients who receive this treatment report a significant reduction in their symptoms. Each session improves the condition of the extremities, and the pain will slowly decline with chiropractic care. ​ Peripheral neuropathy sufferers respond well to this method because it focuses on their pain. Chiropractic therapists take the time to understand why the patient is experiencing symptoms, and their solution focuses on alleviating those concerns. After examining the source of the problem, the therapy sessions can begin. ​ Sufferers should notice relief even if they’re experiencing a chronic case of peripheral neuropathy. If symptoms persist, we can try a different approach. We work with you to understand and treat your peripheral neuropathy pain. ​ Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy: Burning pain Sensitive Skin Cramping Tingling Or Prickly Feelings Leg Or Foot Pain Electrical Shock-Like Pain Increased Risk Of Falling Muscle Weakness Pain Or Muscle Cramping That Disrupts Sleep Impaired Balance Numbness & Pain In Your Hands Or Feet In many cases, the initial symptoms are mild, but worsen over time - moving from the toes to the feet, the legs and can even affect the hands. In closing: There is an urgent problem facing our community where families are being compromised due to misinformation about health. Americans have never been as sick, diseased, or symptomatic as we are today. There are an endless amount of people who are suffering, who have been through the ringer and have tried anything and everything to no avail. Schedule an appointment to talk to our doctor about how chiropractic may be able to help you take your health to the next level.

Back pain plagues almost every individual at some point in their lives, whether it's a prolonged issue or something that pops up at certain times. If you're experiencing pain in your back that won't seem to go away, visiting a chiropractor should be on the to-do list. Just about everyone looking for pain relief can benefit from the expertise of teams like the ones at Perry Family Chiropractic. With quality treatment plans and a focus on your body as a whole, chiropractors are the best solution for various types of pain, and here are a few signs it's time to visit your own. You Sit for Way too Long With the advent of working from home and desks that rise, sitting at desks isn't the drain that it used to be. But plenty of organizations and workers spend time hunched over at desks, which can really take a toll on the back. Sitting for so long, especially if you have poor posture, can alter the natural curvature of your spine and back. This stiffness can cause neck and lower back pain that limits your range of motion and is a key sign that it's time to see a chiropractor. You're an Athlete If you're an athlete, you've likely heard about the benefits of chiropractic treatment, or you're currently visiting a sports chiropractor. Contact sports can lead to tons of injuries, some of the most common ones being back, neck, and shoulder pain. A chiropractor can relieve pain in these areas with chiropractic adjustments and spinal manipulation that alleviates the pain in time for game day. You've Been in an Accident Car accidents are one of the leading causes of chronic pain in the back, neck, and many other places. Seeing a chiropractor might be a good idea if you were in a serious accident, even if you came out relatively unscathed. No pain doesn't mean that your back can't use a bit of assistance. Stress can cause reactions that throw the body out of balance, and the results of that might not be visible until it's too late. Contact a professional like Dr. Perry and discover how we can identify any major issues that may develop within the body. Your Pain Is in the Hard Tissues Back pain is sometimes a result of muscle strains or soft tissue injuries. But more often than not, the pain will be in the joints, spine, or "hard tissues." Massage therapy won't do much in these scenarios besides temporarily relieving pain. Visit a chiropractor for hard tissue adjustments that relax your muscles and make the entire body feel relaxed and much more comfortable. Other Treatments Don't Work No one should sit in pain for too long. You may not know why your back is hurting, but don't endure sleepless nights, hoping that things will eventually get better. If you're experiencing frequent headaches, neck pain, or other problems in addition to the struggles with your back, schedule an appointment with a chiropractor today and get the immediate care you need. Make Back Pain a Thing of the Past With Perry Family Chiropractic Back pain plagues many people worldwide, but you don't have to be a negative statistic. With Perry Family Chiropractic, we'll resolve your back pain to provide the comfort you never thought possible. Our chiropractic care is completed by certified chiropractors that utilize trigger point relief and other skilled techniques to bring your back amazing comfort. Explore the different ways Dr. Perry and the team can help provide your whole body with comfort and care by contacting Perry Family Chiropractic today.

152 pounds of sugar. That’s the average amount an American adult eats per year. Consuming sugar might be something most people do a lot of, but eating sugar is not good for your health. While it’s not easy to cut sugar out of your diet, it’s worth it. Here is a guide to help you learn how to stop craving sugar and why you should start finding ways to eliminate it from your life. Why We Crave Sugar Most of us crave sugar because we consume so much of it. The more sugar you eat, the more you will crave. You see, each time you eat sugar, it triggers your brain to release dopamine. Dopamine is a hormone that causes “good feelings” for you. As you eat more sugar, your brain requires more sugar to release dopamine. Therefore, you eat more to feel better. After a while, you might eat way more sugar than you ever did before in your life. How to Stop Craving Sugar Eating sugar is an addiction, in a sense. Therefore, it’s difficult to stop eating it. You might not feel good when you stop consuming sugar. It’s also hard to stop eating it because sugar is a key ingredient in so many different foods and beverages. If you want to stop eating it, you’ll need to learn how to stop craving sugar. Here are some tips that might help you decrease your craving for sugar: Start Eating Less Sugar If you want to learn how to eat less sugar and stop craving so much of it, you’ll need to start cutting it out of your diet. A good way to start is by skipping the sugar you normally add to the foods you eat. For example, if you add three tablespoons of sugar to your oatmeal, reduce it to one tablespoon. If you add sugar to your coffee, cut the amount in half. Finding ways to eat less sugar will help you retrain your brain to crave less. Replace Sugar With Natural Things Next, you should look for ways to replace sugar with natural things. For example, instead of eating a candy bar for a snack, grab an apple. Instead of drinking a soda with your lunch, drink water. Cutting out sugary things by replacing them with less-sugary things is a great way to reduce your sugar intake. As you reduce your intake, you will crave less sugar. Begin Exercising Exercising each day can also help you reduce your cravings. When you exercise, your brain also releases dopamine. As this occurs, you feel happier and better. As a result, your body might not crave sugar as much. Start Using a Diet Program If you want to eliminate sugar from your diet, you might also want to start using a diet program. ChiroThin is one option to consider, as it helps you accomplish this goal. When you eliminate sugar from your diet, your body will go through a detoxification process. Detoxification involves removing the impurities from your body, and this process takes time. While you’re going through it, you might notice some changes occurring in your body. These changes are normal, and you should expect them to occur. Health Benefits of Cutting Sugar Out of Your Diet At this point, you might be asking yourself, “why should I eliminate sugar?” There are many reasons to eliminate sugar, and you’ll understand this more by learning the primary benefits of cutting out sugar. Here are some of the benefits: Your Blood Pressure Might Drop Eating too much sugar leads to an increase in blood pressure. Sugar consumption also leads to weight gain. When you cut sugar out, your body should naturally respond in two ways. First, you will likely begin to lose weight. Being overweight is a top cause of high blood pressure. Therefore, when you lose weight, your blood pressure drops. Next, your blood pressure might drop simply because you are no longer eating something that causes an increase in blood pressure. If you are concerned with your blood pressure, try eliminating sugar. You Might See an Improvement in Your Cholesterol Levels People who consume a lot of sugar also have a risk of high cholesterol. When you eat sugar, it causes your liver to create more bad cholesterol (LDL). When you stop eating so much sugar, your body has less LDL in it. You Will Have More Energy Eating a lot of sugar stops your brain from releasing chemicals that help you feel alert and awake. While you might initially feel some added energy after eating sugar, you’ll soon feel tired after eating it. Eating sugar makes you feel tired. When you cut sugar out of your diet, you will likely have more energy and feel more alert and awake. You Will Lose Weight Sugar leads to weight gain. If you struggle with your weight and cannot seem to lose it, try eliminating sugar. It can make all the difference in the world. You Lower Your Chances of Diabetes When you eat sugars, your pancreas responds by releasing insulin. When you continue to eat sugars all the time, your pancreas can experience problems creating enough insulin. If this happens, you could be at risk for developing diabetes. One of the best ways to protect yourself against diabetes is by controlling the amount of sugar you eat each day. Cutting out sugar offers many other benefits than the ones listed here, but these are some of the top ones.

Chiropractic care has been relied upon by millions of people as an effective way to treat body pain and keep your health in order. If you've ever considered chiropractic care, you've probably come across two different treatment options: corrective chiropractic care and relief care. What exactly are they, and how can each plan benefit you? Familiarizing yourself with these two treatment methods can help you pinpoint the one that's right for you and start your journey into good health on the right path. What Is Relief Care? Relief care is a good short-term option if you're looking to immediately get back on your feet. It consists of a set of adjustments that temporarily relieve you of aches and pains. If you've ever had back pain or a sore neck and received a couple of adjustments that bring you some pain relief, you've gotten relief care. While it may be a temporary option, relief care still offers plenty of benefits. Even the most minor pains, if located in the wrong spot, can be extremely uncomfortable and leave you fighting for a solution. Simply relieving these pains can improve your quality of life and help you accomplish your immediate goals without a major hindrance. What Is Corrective Chiropractic Care? You eventually have to treat the underlying issue causing your pain, and for that, you can turn to corrective chiropractic care. Most of the nerves in your body control bodily functions, so odds are any pain you're feeling results from deeper-rooted issues that have been growing for longer than you think. With corrective care, your chiropractor will focus on diagnosing the cause of the problems and formulating a treatment plan that provides long-term relief and health benefits for the body. What Can You Expect From Corrective Chiropractic Care? When you work with corrective care professionals, you'll receive an action plan based on the diagnosis of your issues. Throughout the process, you'll receive extensive care and professional service that provides mental and physical benefits that leave you happier and healthier than you ever imagined. An Action Plan That Reinvigorates Your Body Corrective chiropractic care focuses on correctly adjusting the curvature of your spine, and your issues are diagnosed via an x-ray. Afterward, your chiropractor will formulate a comprehensive action plan that you'll be instructed to follow. This plan will have a set of goals and expectations specifically tailored to you. Trusted Care From a Professional Throughout the entire process, you'll receive expert care from a professional who cares as much about your health as you do. From formulating the plan to ensuring you keep up with your goals, expert chiropractors like the ones at Perry Family Chiropractic will be with you every step of the way. A Life-Changing Experience The result of your hard work will be a new version of yourself. Your nervous system will work better and more efficiently, and your body will be more streamlined with your mind. Many patients are surprised at just how amazing they feel after their corrective care, and the best part is that your treatment provides permanent results. Reinvigorate Your Life With Corrective Chiropractic Care From Perry Family Chiropractic At Perry Family Chiropractic, we believe in more than just a temporary fix. Our jobs are to provide patients with the necessary ingredients for long-term success, health, and overall satisfaction. That's why you should turn to our chiropractors for comfort and care that improves and maintains your health in sustainable ways. If you want to find a new way to enjoy your body, contact us today and get the chiropractic care your body deserves, or visit our patient media center to learn more about the pain in your body.

A slow metabolism might not be the only reason you’re having a hard time losing weight. You read that right. Metabolism plays a role but isn’t the only determining factor. Your metabolism is responsible for maintaining many of your body’s functions. Like most people, you probably associate it with your weight more than anything else. According to the experts at Harvard Medical School, genetics plays the biggest role in your metabolism. However, there are some ways to jump-start it, which can be helpful if you’re trying to shed some pounds. One of the best ways to reach your goal weight is to burn more calories than you consume. Clearly, the foods you eat play a role in the success of your weight loss program. Choosing the right foods is a matter of calories in versus calories out, but there are some foods that slow metabolism at the same time. Avoiding these items may be what it takes to lose those pounds. Refined Grains If you’re wondering how to speed up metabolism, cutting refined grains is the ideal first step. While your body needs grains for their healthy carbohydrate content, refined ones should be avoided. That’s because they have had most of their nutrients stripped away during processing. White bread, pasta, crackers, and rice are the biggest offenders. These foods are easy for your body to break down, which means your metabolism doesn’t have to speed up as much to digest them. Whole grains are a much better choice. Read food levels to determine if an item is made from whole or refined grains. Soft Drinks Soft drinks contain high fructose corn syrup, which has many damaging effects on your metabolism. That includes slowing it down but also increasing the risk of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of diseases that can have devastating health consequences. They include diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. In addition to potentially slowing your metabolism, soft drinks are also high in calories, which can derail any healthy weight loss plan. It’s better to drink water and skip the soda. Alcohol Many kinds of alcohol, especially when used to make cocktails, contain large amounts of sugar and calories. But it’s also been linked to a slower rate of fat burning. At the same time, alcohol contains toxins that your body must work to neutralize. While it’s doing that, it’s not burning fat. So drinking too much alcohol can slow your metabolism and lead to weight gain. Fried Foods You’re probably already aware that fried foods can hinder your weight loss goals. After all, they are packed with fat and calories. Too much of either will pack on the pounds, rather than support your goals. However, fried foods may also slow your metabolism. This is especially true with restaurant meals, which are often fried in partially hydrogenated oils. These oils, which contain huge amounts of trans fats, stop your metabolism from humming along as it should. Combined with the high amounts of fat and calories in fried foods, this is a sure-fire way to prevent weight loss. Farmed Beef Beef can be part of a healthy weight loss diet. However, farmed beef is often treated with antibiotics. This can alter the healthy balance of bacteria in your digestive system. When that happens, it can make your metabolism sluggish. When it can’t keep up with what you’re eating, chances are you’re going to gain weight. The good news is that you don’t have to give up your favorite burger. Choose organically raised or grass-fed beef products instead of farmed ones. Granola Bars If you’ve always thought granola bars were a healthy food, it’s time to take another look. Many of them contain high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and other ingredients that can slow your metabolism. If you’ll recall from our discussion about soft drinks, high fructose corn syrup can cause health problems but also slows metabolism. Combined with the other preservatives in granola bars, they could be hindering your goals. When you buy granola bars, be sure you choose those that are made with oats, which can speed metabolism, but that are also free of preservatives and sugar. You might also consider making your own granola bars. This gives you control over ingredients and allows you to enjoy a favorite snack without worrying that it will derail your weight loss. Frozen Dinners While they are certainly convenient, frozen dinners often contain the ingredients talked about on this list. That includes farmed beef and produce that has been treated with pesticides. In addition to their high fat and calorie content, frozen dinners can slow your metabolism. Many also contain partially hydrogenated oils, which can make the situation even worse. Foods That Slow Metabolism and Foods That Don’t When it comes to figuring out how to speed up metabolism, the foods you eat play a role. This list gives you some specific examples, but in general, it’s best to choose whole foods over processed ones. The bulk of your diet should contain a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean meats and protein, low-fat dairy, and whole grains. They are your best bet for learning how to boost metabolism. Not only can these foods help speed metabolism, but they are high in nutrients that support good health. At the same time, they also tend to be lower in fat and calories, another great way to support healthy weight loss. The best foods to help with metabolism should also be ones that you enjoy. You’re more likely to stick with the plan if you eat foods that taste good to you. Experiment with healthy choices to find what you love best.

Scoliosis and Chiropractic Treatment At Chiro One Wellness Centers, one of the conditions we commonly see in our offices is scoliosis. While kids are the largest groups affected by scoliosis, adults can suffer as well. Find out what else you should know about this common condition and how chiropractic care can help. ​ What is scoliosis? Scoliosis is a spinal disorder traditionally defined as a sideways curvature (or curvatures) of the spine. Often, the curves appear S-shaped or C-shaped. The most common form of scoliosis is idiopathic, which accounts for about 80 percent of scoliosis cases. Unfortunately—and frustratingly—idiopathic means "without known cause," meaning experts don't have all the answers for sufferers. Other forms of scoliosis are: Congenital Curve (meaning you were born with the issue) Paralytic Curve (meaning the muscles don't work) Myopathic Deformity (meaning the muscles don't work properly) Secondary (caused by a secondary condition, such as degeneration, osteoporosis or osteomalacia) Who is affected? Scoliosis affects between 6 and 9 million people—around two to three percent of the population—in the United States. Of those suffering from the disorder, children aged 10 to 15 are the largest age group, and girls are more often affected than boys. While it's common in this age and gender group, there is a growing population of adults who have scoliosis. ​ What causes scoliosis? As mentioned above, most cases of scoliosis are without a known cause. Some cases, such as congenital scoliosis, do have a known cause. In congenital scoliosis, the curves are thought to be due to abnormally formed vertebrae, present at birth. ​ What are the signs and symptoms? Typically, those who have scoliosis won't experience back pain, so it's important to look for physical signs such as: Uneven shoulders or a shoulder blade that protrudes farther than the other when standing A rib hump (rib prominence) or a lower back hump (lumbar prominence) when bending forward One hip may appear higher than the other The Cobb Method The main part of the diagnosis is the measurement of the curve, which is measured using the Cobb method. A positive diagnosis is determined by a curve greater than 10 degrees. A curve greater than 25 to 30 degrees is considered significant. And a curve exceeding 45 to 50 degrees is considered severe. ​ How is scoliosis diagnosed? Scoliosis can be diagnosed using medical and family history, a physical examination and X-rays of the spine. Be sure be checked by a professional, the signs of scoliosis are subtle and can be easily missed. ​ What are the treatment options? There are several options for treating scoliosis, such as chiropractic, observation and bracing. Studies have shown active chiropractic treatment has improved the Cobb angle and pain scores. At our clinics, we offer an adult brace that helps to relieve pain, improve posture, reduce pressure and more. ​ Experts agree that scoliosis is best treated when found early—so if you suspect scoliosis or are unsure, it's best to get checked right away. In closing: There is an urgent problem facing our community where families are being compromised due to misinformation about health. Americans have never been as sick, diseased, or symptomatic as we are today. There are an endless amount of people who are suffering, who have been through the ringer and have tried anything and everything to no avail. Schedule an appointment to talk to our doctor about how chiropractic may be able to help you take your health to the next level.

3 Reasons to see a Chiropractor for Asthma Treatment 1. There is a Link between your Nervous System and Your Respiratory System There is research that suggests a link between the spinal column, the nervous system and the respiratory system. This may be why many have mentioned improved breathing by consulting a chiropractor. Asthma cases seem to be rising at an alarming rate. Some think it’s due to a combination of factors, especially the increase of chemicals in our environment. These days, airtight, super-insulated homes can trap chemicals, molds, formaldehyde and other irritants. Even the increasing use of cesarean births, antibiotics and our fascination with germ killing have been cited. If these factors were the only issue, why wouldn’t all children living in the same house and breathing the same air, suffer equally? 2. The Chiropractic Connection – The Nerves in your Diaphragm Your diaphragm is the primary muscle used for breathing. Nerves that control each breath leave your brain and exit the spinal cord in the mid-neck (C3, C4 and C5) area. Spinal problems in this area can have a profound affect on the nerve supply to the diaphragm. Reducing nerve interferences in the spine may help restore proper nervous system control of the lungs and improved function can begin. 3. Research on the Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Asthma In fact, research published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research documented the results experienced by 81 children with asthma who saw a chiropractor for asthma and received chiropractic care. The two-month study revealed that those under care saw a 45% decrease in the number of “attacks” and that 31% of the subjects voluntarily chose to decrease their medication. All this from improved nervous system control of the lungs! Here are some additional research articles that explain how a chiropractor for asthma can help improve patient’s lives. Chronic pediatric asthma and chiropractic spinal manipulation: a prospective clinical series and randomized clinical pilot study, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Jul. 2001 Chiropractic Care of a Pediatric Patient with Asthma, Allergies, Chronic Colds & Vertebral Subluxation, Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, 2009 Chiropractic care for patients with asthma: A systematic review of the literature, The Journal of Canadian Chiropractic Association, Mar. 2010 ​ In closing: There is an urgent problem facing our community where families are being compromised due to misinformation about health. Americans have never been as sick, diseased, or symptomatic as we are today. There are an endless amount of people who are suffering, who have been through the ringer and have tried anything and everything to no avail. Schedule an appointment to talk to our doctor about how chiropractic may be able to help you take your health to the next level.