In the nervous system, there are three primary areas that regulate our balance: the cerebellum (located in the back of the brain), the dorsal columns (located in the back of the spinal cord), and the inner ear (the “vestibular” part of our cranial nerve VIII). There are also small, microscopic “proprioceptors” or mechanical receptors located in our joint capsules, muscles, and tendons that relay information to the brain and work hard to keep us upright when we walk, run, and play!
Conditions that can result in balance problems include, but are not limited to, BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal where our spinal cord is located), dorsal column disease, cerebellar lesions, and/or circulation loss into the back of the brain. Other conditions associated with light headedness include low or high blood pressure, hydration, medications, postural or orthostatic hypotension, diabetes, endocrine disorders, hyperventilation, heart conditions, and vasovagal syncope. However, issues with BPPV/inner ear are the most common reported cause of dizziness. Emergency actions should be exercised when dizziness is associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations. If eating helps resolve the dizziness, blood testing for hypoglycemia is appropriate. If confusion, memory lapses, changes in speech, facial droop, weakness on one side of the body, or acute headache occur, these could be signs of a stroke or a brain bleed or tumor and should be quickly evaluated. If ANY of these signs or symptoms is present, we will refer you to the appropriate specialty for further evaluation. The upper cervical spine has also been found to affect balance, and it’s a primary area of treatment that we as chiropractors focus on when patients complain about balance dysfunction. Unique to this upper cervical region is the fact that the nucleus of cranial nerve V (the trigeminal nerve) extends down the spinal canal to the C2 level and adjustments in this region can have significant benefits for several other conditions, including trigeminal nerve problems as well as BPPV (inner ear dysfunction such as dizziness) where small crystals dislodge from the ampulla of the semicircular canal and interfere with the flow of fluid inside the canal with resulting dizziness. Adjustments and the BPPV exercises (Epley’s and / or Brandt-Daroff) significantly benefit this cause of dizziness. You can depend on our evaluation to determine if chiropractic is the right choice in managing your balance disturbance! We realize you have a choice in whom you consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs. If you, a friend, or family member requires care for neck pain, we would be honored to render our services. Content Courtesy of Chiro-Trust.org. All Rights Reserved.
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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition where widespread generalized pain limits a person’s ability to function, sometimes to the point of complete disability. This month, we’ll look at identifying markers that may be used to determine whether a patient has FM or not.
Chronic pain that arises from the muscles and joints affects nearly 20% of the adult population, with the highest percentages found among females and those in lower income brackets. It is very challenging to determine “the cause” of chronic pain, probably because it is influenced by and interacts with various physical, emotional, psychological, and social factors. Several studies have reportedly shown that the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals that help our nerves transmit information) including serotonin, glutamate, lactate, and pyruvate are elevated in patients with localized chronic myalgias (like FM) and therefore may be potential biomarkers for various conditions causing chronic pain. Unfortunately, elevations in these potential markers are not specific or unique to FM. However, researchers have identified muscle alterations in in fibromyalgia / chronic widespread pain patients. More studies are needed to confirm these findings before they have the potential for use as a diagnostic criteria for FM. For the time being, in order to establish a diagnosis of FM, we must rely on the following: 1) The presence of widespread pain by using the “Widespread Pain Index” or WPI. 2) Determining the severity of the symptoms by using the “Symptom Severity Score” or SS score of which there are two parts: • Scoring fatigue, waking unrefreshed, and cognitive symptoms using a 0-3 scale, 3 representing the most severe or disturbing of these daily functions. • Adding up additional symptoms associated with FM, resulting in a 0-3 range depending on the number of the “other symptoms.” Using the WPI and the SS scores, FM can be identified if one of the following two situations has been present for three or more months: • WPI score > 7 and SS score > 5 • WPI score between 3 and 6 and SS score > 9 If you, a friend or family member requires care for Fibromyalgia, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services! Content Courtesy of Chiro-Trust.org. All Rights Reserved. Low back pain (LBP) typically results from relatively “benign” causes, meaning it’s usually safe to wait and try conservative / non-emergency care first. However, there are a handful of times when prompt medical emergency management is appropriate, and it’s important that everyone is aware of these uncommon but dangerous and sometimes deadly causes of LBP, hence the purpose of this article.
“Red flags” trace back to the 1980s and 1990s, so this is not a “new” topic. In fact, guidelines for the care of LBP that have been published around the world ALL commonly state the anyone exhibiting these “red flags” needs to be promptly diagnosed and referred for emergent care. The common conditions cited in these guidelines include (but are not limited to): 1) Cancer, 2) Cauda equine syndrome, 3) Infection, 4) Fracture. The patient’s history can sometimes uncover suspicion of these four conditions BETTER than a routine physical examination, though a definitive diagnosis is usually made only after special diagnostic tests have been completed including (but not limited to) imaging (x-ray, MRI, CT, PET scans), blood tests, bone scans, and more. 1) Cancer: a) Past history of cancer. b) Unexplained weight loss (>10 kg within 6 months). c) Age over 50 or under age 18. d) Failure to respond to usual care (therapy). e) Pain that persists for four to six weeks. f) Night pain or pain at rest. 2) Infection: a) Persistent fever (>100.4º F). b) Current/recent URI (upper respiratory tract infection like pneumonia) or UTI (urinary tract or kidney infection). b) History of intravenous drug abuse. c) Severe back pain. d) Lumbar spine surgery within the past year. e) Recent bacterial infection (cellulitis or persistent wound – e.g., a decubitus ulcer or “pressure sore” in the low back region). f) Immunocompromised states such as those caused by systemic corticosteroids, organ transplant medications, diabetes mellitus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 3) Cauda Equina Syndrome: a) Urinary incontinence or retention. b) Saddle anesthesia. c) Anal sphincter tone decrease or fecal incontinence. d) Bilateral lower extremity weakness or numbness. e) Progressive neurologic deficit or loss – major muscle weakness or sensory deficit. 4) Fracture: a) Prolonged corticosteroid use. b) Age >70. c) History of Osteoporosis (poor bone density). d) Mild trauma over age 50. e) Major trauma at any age (such as a fall). Another red flag is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurism. Signs include: a) Abdominal pulsations. b) Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerotic vascular disease). c) Pain at rest or night time pain. d) Age >60. We realize you have a choice in whom you consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs. If you, a friend, or family member requires care for back pain, we would be honored to render our services. Content Courtesy of Chiro-Trust.org. All Rights Reserved. ![]() With the rise of constantly varied workouts came the need for self-care, mobility and stability. Many clients and resources are available as well as flocks of Massage Therapists, Physical Therapists and Chiropractors offering their services to these athletes. So how do we know when to seek professional help and who is best equipped to serve functional fitness athletes? As a health care professional, I not only got hooked on health and fitness, but also saw a need to go beyond simply mobilizing and stretching to improve function and reduce pain and injury risk. I’ve taken the best of my background as a Doctor of Chiropractic to create a model I call “Performance Care.” I completely value and support people who want to help themselves. But self-care can has its limitations. Stretching, mobility and soft tissue work are great if there is a true soft tissue restriction. Soft tissue damage can create adhesions and scar tissue – essentially unhealthy tissue nestled amongst healthy tissue. These adhesions can limit movement and impair healing. This is one of the reasons I have trained and specialized in Active Release Technique (ART) over the past 7 years. ART is the gold standard in manual soft tissue care. It’s specifically designed to quickly and effectively isolate and remove soft tissue adhesions. However, mobility and soft tissue work is only part of the story. The flip side of the mobility coin is stability. Stability is the body’s ability to regulate muscular control and tension via the nervous system. Let me use a common example. Many people feel like their hamstrings are chronically “tight” so they stretch, foam roll, or get a massage, yet the problem persists. The common misconception is that if a muscle is tight, it must need to be stretched. But when I see this scenario in my patients, I see a body that is trying to stabilize the area by up-regulating neuromotor tone. Translation – your body is keeping it “tight” for a reason! The key to unlocking this sort of chronic muscular tension is to identify the root cause of the problem of why is the body keeping this muscle ‘tight’? That’s where Performance Care comes in. My job is to assess the person as a whole. I combine a functional movement assessment and a soft tissue evaluation with a thorough chiropractic neurological screening to find the root cause of movement faults, dysfunction and pain. In order to maximize athletic performance we must have mobility, sound biomechanics and balanced neuromotor control (muscular stability). Combining specific soft tissue treatments (ART) with functional movement & chiropractic care is the most effective solution for that equation. Mobility can be helpful to improve movement restrictions, but there is often more to the story. To truly move and perform properly we can’t neglect neuromotor control and stability. We need the help of someone who understands root cause analysis and has the means to correct the problem. I’d love the opportunity to be that solution for you here in and am offering a free assement in my office with a South Lake Tahoe Chiropractor. 530-577-5433. Yours in Health, Dr. Josh Welch ![]() Chiropractic and Shoulder Pain Shoulder pain is an extremely common complaint, and there are many causes of this problem. We have listed some of the most common conditions here to help you get an idea what they are and what chiropractic treatment can do to help. When do you need to call your Chiropractor about your shoulder pain? Like any other pain condition, the sooner you get appropriate care the quicker the pain will go and allow you to go back to normal activities, the sooner you get appropriate care the less likely you are to get a recurrent and chronic problem. If you are unsure of the cause of your shoulder pain, or if you do not know the specific treatment recommendations for your condition, you should seek Chiropractic help. Treatment of these conditions must be directed at the specific cause of your problem to be effective. Some signs that you should be seen by a Chiropractor include:
The treatment of shoulder pain depends entirely on the cause of the problem. Therefore, it is important for the chiropractor to accurate diagnose the problem before any treatment can start. If you are unsure of your diagnosis, or the severity of your condition, you should seek advice before beginning any self-treatment. Not all treatments listed here are appropriate for every condition, but may be helpful in your situation. Just remember, resting and taking painkillers only, is not a treatment that is likely to help your shoulder in the long term. But may well be part of what you need to do when the treatment start.
Here is a list of some of the most common causes for shoulder pain, for a more detailed explanation please click on the condition. Referred pain from the neck When the structures in the neck are painful, the pain is often felt over the shoulder. It is important to remember this and your chiropractor will always examine your neck when you come in for shoulder pain. Bursitis/ Rotator Cuff Tendinitis = Impingement syndrome The most common diagnosis in patients with shoulder pain is bursitis and tendinitis of the rotator cuff musculature causing impingement syndrome. Rotator Cuff Tear Different degrees of rotator cuff tears can occur. If the tendons of the rotator cuff separate from the bone, surgery is sometimes necessary. Frozen Shoulder Also called ‘adhesive capsulitis,’ this is a common condition that leads to severely restricted movement of the shoulder. Calcific Tendinitis Calcific tendinitis is a condition of calcium deposits within a tendon – most commonly within the rotator cuff tendons. Treatment of calcific tendinitis depends on the extent of symptoms. Shoulder Instability Instability is a problem that causes a loose joint. Instability can be caused by a traumatic injury (dislocation), or may be a developed condition. Shoulder Dislocation A dislocation is an injury that occurs when the ball-part of the shoulder joint (top of the arm bone) slips out of the socket (part of the shoulder blade). Ligament injury (Acromio-Clavicular Tear) Also called an A/C separation, these injuries are the result of a disruption of the acromio-clavicular joint. This is a very different injury from a gleno-humeral dislocation. Labral Tear There are several patterns of a torn labrum and the type of treatment depends on the specific injury. Arthritis Shoulder arthritis is less common than knee and hip arthritis, but when severe may require a joint replacement surgery. However, arthritic changes are more common in the acromio-clavicular joint between the collarbone and the shoulder blade. Biceps Tendon Rupture The upper part of the biceps tendon can rupture and cause shoulder pain. Referred pain from internal organs It is important to remember that pain from the gall bladder can be felt over the right shoulder and pain from the pancreas can be felt over the left shoulder, and most importantly, heart attacks can refer pain into the left shoulder and arm. Chiropractors are trained in medical diagnosis and one of the priorities in the examination is to rule out more serious medical conditions before any treatment can start. For more information on how chiropractic can help, contact us. We'll take good care of you! 530-5775433 ![]()
We have been providing chiropractic in the South Lake Tahoe for over 22 years now. During this time we have come to realize three things:
1. Many chiropractic patients and prospective chiropractic patients prefer a walk in chiropractor vs. making an appointment. They like to know they can just walk-in when they feel the need. 2. Busy athletes, parents, office workers and executives do not have much of a tolerance for long wait times. Little to no wait times are best. 3. The food must be great. What we mean by this is the chiropractic consumer expects high quality care from the doctors and staff…and they want it with a smile. Well, this is the basic foundation of Safe Haven Chiropractic in South Lake Tahoe off Ski Run Blvd. Drop in anytime and get what you need, a affordable drug-less approach to health and wellness. Whether you are suffering with back, neck or wrist pain from long hours of sitting and repetitive use of the upper extremities or a sports injury from weekend warrior or elite athlete activities, we can help. We also specialize in the nonsurgical treatment of herniated and bulging herniated discs. With a blend of chiropractic care, myofascial release, progressive rehab and massage. To find out more about our Chiropractic Clinic online. You can request a complimentary insurance benefits check or if you are not sure this is the right place for you? Well, we want to see if this care is right for you too! Schedule a FREE consultation and let's find out! And one more thing… Prepare to be impressed! Dr. Josh 530-577-5433 ![]() Over 1 million people are injured in rear-end collisions each year in the US, and many of these “minor” crashes result in real injuries. In fact, research shows that many people develop chronic pain from these types of car crashes. Chiropractic is one of the best ways to treat and recover from auto injuries. By restoring your spine to it’s healthy functioning without drugs or surgery, it’s the perfect approach. Here’s why chiropractic is the best way to treating your auto injury pain: 1. Chiropractic Reduces Inflammation During a crash, the ligaments and muscles of your spine can be stretched or experience micro-tears. X-rays or MRI scans usually aren’t sophisticated enough to diagnose these kinds of injuries, but this tissue damage causes the area to become inflamed. Many times, an auto injury patient won’t feel much discomfort immediately after the crash, but they wake up the next morning to a stiff and painful neck. This is caused by the body’s inflammation response to these micro-lesions. A 2010 study (1) found that chiropractic adjustments actually helps the body release anti-inflammatory Interleukin 6 (IL-6), an important substance created by your body that’s used to help heal acute injuries. 2. Chiropractic Restores Motion Another problem with inflammation is that the tissues become immobile, which can slow healing to the area. Ligaments of the spine don’t get many nutrients or blood supply normally, and this becomes even more difficult when inflamed and injured. During a chiropractic adjustment, the joints of your spine are mobilized, which helps increase blood flow and healing nutrients to the area. 3. Chiropractic Reduces Scar Tissue Your body heals ligament, tendon, and muscle injuries by creating scar tissue. Scar tissue in an injured area is made up of the same kind of cells as the original tissue, but it’s laid down rapidly and randomly as a temporary “patch” on top of the damaged area. If you get scar tissue in a large muscle, it can be uncomfortable for a while until you stretch it out, but it most likely won’t cause any long-term problems. Scar tissue in the ligaments of your neck or back, however, can be much more debilitating, since we can’t stretch it out ourselves. Your chiropractor focuses the adjustments on these specific vertebral joints that are fixated, effectively stretching them and breaking up the scar tissue in the joint. 4. Chiropractic Relieves Localized Pain Over the last 20 years, countless studies have demonstrated that chiropractic adjustments are a safe and effective way to reduce pain. In fact, a 2013 study (2) found that 94% of patients experienced neck pain relief with manipulation! 5. Chiropractic Reduces Pain in Your Whole Body Many auto injury patients develop more widespread pain after a crash, especially if the original injury wasn’t treated promptly. A 2014 study (3) reported that people who received a chiropractic adjustment had increased levels of pain-reducing hormones in their bloodstream. 6. Chiropractic Relieves Stress A car crash is a very stressful life event, especially if you’re in pain. When your body is exposed to trauma, it goes into a flight or fight response, which can result in anxiety, depression, and stress. A 2011 study (4) used PET scans to look at the brains of people who received chiropractic adjustments for neck pain. They found that those patients had reduced brain activity in the parts of the brain responsible for pain processing and stress reactions. They also had significantly lower levels of cortisol, indicating reduced stress. Participants also reported lower pain scores and a better quality of life after treatment. Reducing your overall level of stress is important, because, left untreated, stress can also slow recovery time and increase your risk of developing chronic pain. 7. Chiropractic Works! Researchers have recognized that chiropractic is a great way to help people recover from auto injuries for many decades. In 1996, British researchers (5) found that 93% of auto injury patients with neck pain experienced dramatic improvement with chiropractic care. In 2015, an Ontario, Canada government group (6) agreed that spinal manipulation, combined with staying active and continuing to work, are the most important factors in recovering quickly from car crash injuries. If you’ve been injured in a car crash, you don’t have to suffer from chronic pain. Chiropractic is a great way to help your body heal from all kinds of injuries. We see many patients who have suffered injuries from accidents and we help them become pain and symptom free. Give us a call for a free consultation. 530-577-5433 Sources
![]() "During the last year we have had hundreds of individuals just like you coming into our clinic so we know chiropractic will work for you. So, if you, your family, or friends are unsure, rest assured that you can come in and get adjusted today." Dr. Josh Give us a call at 530-577-5433. We’ll take good care of you. BACK PAIN The complaint of back pain is among the most common medical problems. The spine is a complex structure that must move in complicated ways. There are several causes to upper back pain as well as mid-back pain. Although both upper and mid back pain are more rare than lower back pain, they can be nagging conditions that get worse over time. Proper diagnosis of the underlying cause is essential to proper treatment. Lower back pain is by far more common that other spinal pain conditions. Understanding the cause of your back pain is the key to proper treatment. Because back pain is difficult for most doctors to treat, a better understanding of the causes of this problem will assist patients in choosing the right doctor to help you. Causes of Back Pain: Muscle Strain Muscle strains are the most common cause of back pain. Patients may or may not remember the initial event that triggered their muscle spasm, but the pain from muscle strain or spasm causes more complex problems if it persists for more than a few days. Spinal dysfunction, strain on the discs and future degeneration can develop with untreated muscle spasm or dysfunction. Ruptured Disc A ruptured intervertebral disc, also called a herniated disc, is another common cause of back pain. How to treat the back pain from a herniated disc depends on the particular individual and situation. Our office utilizes a combination of treatments utilized to help people avoid surgery in the case of ruptured discs. Not every patient qualifies for this procedure, but of those that do qualify studies showed that 86% of those patients were improved from this procedure. If you have been told you need surgery and want to see if you can avoid the pain and risk of surgery, contact our office for a low back pain consultation. Discogenic Back Pain Discogenic back pain is thought to be a common cause of low back pain. Discogenic back pain is the result of damage to the intervertabral disc, but without disc herniation. These cases are many times frustrating for doctors and therapists as the patients are not responding to conventional procedures and the pain can be unrelenting. Utilizing a disc pain protocol, our doctors have developed a program that is helping patients get the accurate diagnosis of the discogenic back pain and innovative ways to treat the pain. Not only are our patients getting pain reduction, but our low back pain treatment protocolsincrease overall mobility allowing patients to get back to their full function. If a patient has been treated for back pain with little to no result, a back pain consultation with our specialists will allow the patient to receive the proper diagnosis and treatment. Spinal Stenosis Spinal stenosis causes back pain in the aging population. As we age, the spinal canal can become constricted, due in part to arthritis and other conditions. If the spinal canal becomes too tight, back pain can be the result. This type of pain many times carries with it problems with pain shooting down the legs, weakness in the legs, and occasionally bladder control issues. Although nothing can be done to open up the spinal canal in most cases, treatment can be done to improve overall function and quality of life for the patient suffering from spinal stenosis. Spine Arthritis Arthritis most commonly affects joints such as the knees and fingers. However, arthritis can affect any joint in the body, including the small joints of the spine. Arthritis of the spine can cause back pain with movement. Arthritis pain in the back can be treated successfully in most patients. Due to the complex political, economic, and safety history of vaccinations in the US over the past 3 decades, increasing numbers of parents have chosen not to vaccinate their children. Though disease rates have remained relatively low in the past decades, with periodic epidemics occurring among both vaccinated and unvaccinated populations even prior to the recently increased rates of non-vaccinated children, recent outbreaks of measles have raised increased attention to this phenomenon. But this article is not about vaccination choices or politics. It is simply about the symptoms of measles, risks of the infection, and natural options for supporting children with symptoms of uncomplicated mild to moderate measles. Regardless of your vaccination decision or beliefs, if your child has the measles, you need information on how to respond with healthy tips that keep your child feeling comfortable and getting well. What is the Measles? Measles is a highly infectious seasonal disease, appearing most commonly in late winter and early spring! Measles is transmitted person to person and through the air via respiratory droplets — in other words, through coughing and sneezing. It affects nearly every susceptible person who comes in contact with it. A spherical, single-stranded RNA virus of the morbillivirus strain, closely related to the canine distemper virus, causes the disease. It usually affects primarily the upper respiratory system with cold-like symptoms, and the skin in the form of a very itchy rash, but in serious cases, can affect the nervous system. The time between exposure and symptoms is 9-14 days. It is most contagious during the early stages of the illness, generally for 2-4 days before the onset of the rash and for 4 days after the rash appears. Initially the symptoms look like any other cold, with fever, fatigue, runny nose, cough, and conjunctivitis. The fever normally stays in the range of 101° to 103° F at this stage. Experiencing natural measles nearly always confers permanent immunity to the disease. Measles SymptomsThe symptoms of measles include:
Measles Risks and ComplicationsIn recent national outbreaks, measles complications requiring hospitalization approached 30% of all cases, which is quite high. Serious complications of measles are rare, but can include:
Conventional Treatment for MeaslesIf your child has the measles, it is important to let your child’s doctor know with a phone call to the office. Given the contagious nature of the condition, it may not be advisable to simply bring your child in for an exam and sit around the waiting room running the risk of passing the infection on to others. So your child’s doctor may have you brought right into an exam room if an appointment seems necessary. Either way, informing your child’s doctor that you suspect measles is important for gathering public health statistics. Measles treatment consists primarily of keeping your child comfortable, maintaining bed rest, and providing quiet activities to help pass the time. Rest and fluids are key. Antibiotics are not effective against measles, as it is a viral infection; however, physicians may prescribe antibiotics in the event of a secondary infection. Acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol) or ibuprofen (for example, Advil) may be given to control fever, but aspirin should never be given to children suspected of having measles as it can lead to a serious complication known as Reye’s syndrome. Should your child at any time exhibit symptoms such as a painful cough with difficulty breathing (possibly pneumonia), severe headache or convulsions (possibly encephalitis), drooling or difficulty swallowing, hearing difficulty, or if there is any other indication that your child is seriously ill, SEEK MEDICAL CARE IMMEDIATELY. While for most children, measles is a lengthy and very uncomfortable but relatively minor illness, see your doctor if your child seems especially uncomfortable or if the illness is not following a typical course. General Recommendations
Keep the diet light and nourishing. Give soups and meals of simple, soft whole grains (brown rice, millet, quinoa) that are easy to swallow if there is a sore throat, steamed vegetables, small amounts of protein (beans, fish, poultry), and seasonal fruits in small amounts. Fluids are critically important for preventing dehydration. Give water frequently. A squeeze of lemon or lime in the water is refreshing and drinking through a straw can make it easier to get fluids down if there is a sore throat. Also give herb teas freely (see below) or as recommended. Avoid all sodas, bottled fruit juices (except for occasionally, and then only diluted), orange juice, and milk. Supplements The following supplements can help to boost immunity, may prevent secondary infections, and speed recovery. I do not recommend these for children under 2 years old without support from your child’s physician. Follow age appropriate dosing on the supplement packaging. General ranges are provided for children ages 2-14 below.
Herbal Recommendations The herbal recommendations below are considered safe and are used to help with the symptoms of measles. High quality bulk herbs for making teas can be purchased from Mountain Rose Herbs online. Fever Fever itself is not an illness; it is the body’s healthy and active response to illness. Fever plays an important role in the immune response, stimulating the production of antiviral chemicals such as interferon. Keeping your child hydrated and making sure there are no underlying infections, for example pneumonia, is essential. Tepid baths can be helpful. Medications like Tylenol and ibuprofen typically only bring the fever down by 1 degree, but do reduce inflammation so can relieve aching. If your child has a high fever (>103° F), seems listless or unresponsive, has a severe headache or other serious symptoms, or if the fever persists much beyond when the measles rash appears, please have your child seen by his or her doctor. Many of the herbs that can be used to keep children comfortable during fevers, and which are mildly antimicrobial, also keep the fever from soaring too high. These include lemon balm, catnip, elder, spearmint, and chamomile. These are best used singly or combined as a tea. Cool Down Tea
Herb Pharm Children’s Herbal Compound can be used similarly and instead, and is available in most health food stores. Put 1 tsp. in 1 cup of warm water to serve as a “tea” or give 1-2 dropperfuls every 2-4 hours. AntiViral Blend Here is a good general blend for reducing inflammation, fighting viral infection, relieving cough and aches, reducing swollen glands, and bringing out the rash.
Alternatively, Gaia Herbs Milk Thistle Yellow Dock Supreme can be used as directed. Cough For more severe and persistent coughing, you can add the following cough syrup to the daily herbs, giving one teaspoon to one tablespoon as needed: Aunty A’s Cough Syrup Blend from my book Naturally Healthy Babies and Children includes:
Alternatively, Gaia Kids Cough Syrup for Dry Coughs can be used as directed. Skin Soother To reduce the itching and inflammation associated with measles rash, bathe the child daily or as needed in infusions of calendula flowers and peppermint leaves by steeping 1 small handful of each in 2 quarts of water for 20 minutes. Add to the bath water. An oatmeal bath is also soothing and easy to prepare. Take a handful of rolled oats (the same kind one uses to make oatmeal for breakfast) and put them into a white sock. Tie the sock closed with a rubber band and place it in warm water in the bathtub. Squeeze the sock under water until the oats start to release a milky liquid, and gently rub this over your child’s skin. It is emollient and really relieves the itching for awhile. Sore Eyes Chamomile compresses are reliable for soothing sore eyes. Simply make a cup of chamomile tea, strain well, and apply to the closed eyelids with a cloth, warm or slightly cool as preferred by your child. Repeat as often as needed. Earache Infection If there is ear involvement, use Garlic-Mullein Eardrops (below). The drops can be made at home or use Herb Pharm Mullein Garlic Ear Oil. To prepare Garlic-Mullein Eardrops at home, place 1 peeled, chopped whole bulb of garlic and 1/2 ounce of mullein flowers into a pint jar. Fill the jar entirely with olive oil and stir the ingredients lightly with a chopstick or butter knife to release air bubbles. Cap and store in a cool, dark place for 1 week. Strain and place in a clean bottle. Label and store for use. To apply the eardrops, have the child lie on his or her side with the affected ear facing the ceiling. Pull back gently on the earlobe and drip five drops of slightly warmed oil into the ear canal. (Warm the oil by placing the bottle in hot water. Test the oil on the inside of your wrist to avoid burning the child.) Do not insert the dropper into the ear canal, just the drops. Have the child lie in this position for five to ten minutes. Repeat every few hours, treating both ears if necessary. Convalescence After a long illness, I recommend allowing some time for repair and recovery. A few days of extra rest at home before returning full on to activities and school, a light healthy diet with good quality protein for rebuilding strength, and some fresh air can work wonders. I also often recommend immune tonic herbs, for example, Elderberry syrup and a good quality medicinal mushroom extract to be taken for a few weeks post-illness. I hope your child, vaccinated or not, is able to by-pass getting sick this spring. I hope these approaches come in helpful should you need them. To Your Good Health! P.S. I’ve got a gift for you!!! Get my FREE Ebook, Immunity and Children. To receive your copy, click here. Download it today! 7 Easy Steps to Cure Numbness in Your Feet and Toes From a Chiropractor in South Lake Tahoe1/23/2015 ![]() There are many reasons why you might experience numbness in your feet and toes. Although lumbar spine and disc conditions can be at the root of any tingling sensations or numbness, other physical and environmental factors can also be the cause, so it's important to get a chiropractor to confirm the cause as quickly as possible. Here a Safe Haven Chiropractic in South Lake Tahoe we take care of cases just like this everyday and are confident we can help you. Appointments are available today. Any unusual symptoms can be worrisome and although numbness and tingling in both feet and hands can indicate serious health conditions, early diagnosis and chiropractic adjustments leads to effective management, meaning that you can stay on top of your health and keep active. These seven easy steps can help to alleviate symptoms:
"During the last year we have had hundreds of individuals just like you coming into our clinic so we know chiropractic will work for you. So, if you, your family, or friends are unsure, rest assured that you can come in and get adjusted today." Dr. Josh Give us a call at 530-577-5433. We’ll take good care of you. ![]() Hello folks! I am, Dr. Joshua Welch, the number one chiropractor in South Lake Tahoe, and I would like to help all of you, young and old with any slipped disc problems that you may have. Not only can a slipped disc cause pain, tingling and numbness, it can affect your sleep and other functions as well. Instead of allowing a slipped disc cause you pain and other problems, it is important to get the help that you need right away. There are far too many interesting activities in Lake Tahoe to enjoy, and you will not be able to enjoy them if you are dealing with the problems caused by your slipped disc. Traditional medicine may not work out very well for you in all cases, and you may find yourself having surgery after medications have stop working. I want to help everyone in the Lake Tahoe area to live comfortably. With careful manipulation and soft tissue massage, I can help restore some of the flexibility and range of movement in your back as well as relieving some of the pain that you are feeling. If traditional medicines and treatments have failed you, come see me at my Meyers office for treatment. Of course, you will also have your own work to do, with special exercises that you will be encouraged to do at home. After a few treatments at my office, in addition to the exercises you are doing, I am certain you will want to include chiropractic into your active lifestyle. Make an appointment today so that you can get back to feeling good as quickly as possible, give us a call at 530-577-5433. ![]() No part of your body escapes the dominance of your nervous system. Improper function of the body due to spinal stress —called subluxations—can cause poor health or function, even in areas far removed from the spine and spinal cord itself. Misalignment and postural changes can also reduce the ability of your body to adapt to its ever-changing environment. Chiropractic offers a balanced approach to reduce spinal stress and bring function back to normal. The slightest amount of spinal stress can cause a child to have delayed neurological development, altered body chemistry and not able to live life to the fullest. A simple assessment can be made to correct most problems before they become permanent. The chiropractic adjustment can makes a powerful impact on children's lives and health potential even before they are born. Bring in your whole family and experience a new level of vibrancy! 26 Things to do in South Lake Tahoe and Meyers with your Family after your chiropractic adjustment.6/13/2014 26 Family Adventures in South Lake Tahoe. ![]() Meyers is only 4 miles from South Lake Tahoe. It hosts world class healers as well as world class athletes and world class recreation. You have probably driven right through Meyers and not even know it! It also has one of the largest communities of full time residents in the Lake Tahoe Basin, boasting one of the highest per capita of Olympic Athletes, 4/3060 people. Drop In and experience Meyers with a trip off the beaten path. 1: Hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Echo Lakes. Take the water taxi and hike back if you’re pressed for time 2: Mountain bike down “Sidewinder Trail” on the Corral Loop of off Oneidas Rd. Ask Kent at Watta Bike for a map and directions. 3. Grab a pint, order the “Estrada” sandwich and sit on the deck of the Divided Sky. Stay for live music on the weekends. 4. Read an independent published book at Bona Fide Books. 5. Begin your day with a “Healing Journey” at Safe Haven Chiropractic. Leave Meyers feeling better than you came. 6. Have a picnic at Lake Baron and Tahoe Paradise Resort. Order a deli sandwich or fried chicken from Lira’s Market. 7. Walk-up Hawley Grade to the waterfall. This is also the old Pony Express trail. You can also ride your bike down. 8. Attend the Annual Mountain Bike Festival on August 10th, 2014. 9. Go bouldering! Meyers bouldering has exploded in the last few years with world class boulders around every corner. 10. Hike up to Angora Lakes Resort, order a lemonade and jump off the cliffs. (at least watch). 11. Play 18 holes of golf at one of the two courses in Meyers, Tahoe Paradise Golf Course, or Lake Tahoe Golf Course. 12. Order a “Freel Good Smoothie” at Freel Perk Coffee. 13. Stay in a “Cabin in the Woods” with a vacation rental from or tour your dream home from Tahoe Select Rentals. 14. Road bike down from South Upper Truckee to North Upper Truckee and learn the local short cut. 15. Attend the Meyers Bouldering Festival on August 30th, 2014. 16. Go Letter boxing or Geocaching. 17. Explore Washoe State Park and learn about one of the largest summer Washoe communities. 18. Meet Meyers Moms and push your stroller up Old Meyers Grade. 19. Relieve tension with The Studio Lake Tahoe’s Aerial Yoga Crissy Jory. 20. Head to the Getaway Café, voted best restaurant in Tahoe and order a “Garden Grown” add bacon. 21. Make your own 6 pack at Road Runner and Kayak down the Upper Truckee River. 22. Get a Sweet Tea from Billy at the Meyers Downtown Café. 23. Unleash your inner “Ninja” with parkour and obstacle course atCrossfit 6230’. 24. Buy a T-shirt from Rise Design and look like a local. 25. Tour your million dollar dream home with Gotit Real Estate or Century 21. 26. Hang out with your dogs in front of the outdoor fire pit at Bob Dog Pizza, don’t forget to bring your dogs over to Jeff Chamberlain, DDS to say hi! Stay safe. Here is a quick guide Beginners Guide to Hiking: https://hobbyhelp.com/hiking/ ![]() Good posture is simple and eloquent by design in form and function. The body is designed to have the head, rib cage, and pelvis perfectly balanced upon one another in both the front and side views. If the posture is deviated from normal, then the spine is also deviated from the normal healthy position. Unfortunately, abnormal posture has been associated with the development and progression of many spinal conditions and injuries including: increased muscle activity and disc injury, scoliosis, work lifting injuries, sports injuries, back pain, neck pain, headaches, carpal tunnel symptoms, shoulder and ankle injuries as well as many other conditions. Additionally, postural abnormalities in adolescent years have been recognized as one of the sources of pain syndromes and early arthritis in adulthood. Therefore, posture should be checked and corrected in children before more serious problems can occur. Call today for a free posture check! 530-577-5433 ![]() What Causes Neck Pain? Your neck is the most vulnerable part of your spine. Not only does it support your 10- 12 pound head, maintain a gentle forward curve, and permit head rotation, but it must also allow the free flow of nerve impulses to the head, face, hands and the rest of your body. Besides discomfort and annoyance, chronic neck pain is a sign that something is wrong. Many everyday things can cause neck pain, such as watching TV, improper telephone use, using your computer, reading a book or falling asleep in a chair or on an airplane. The temporary pain that results can resolve on its own, especially when the offending activity is discontinued. When it doesn’t, a more serious underlying problem may be indicated. A thorough examination can determine if you’re a good candidate for chiropractic care. These tests may involve your ability to turn and bend. Muscle tone of the supporting muscles in the neck may be tested. Diagnostic imaging to reveal the underlying structure of the spine may be requested. These and other tests are designed to identify the cause and location of your neck pain. The most common cause of neck pain is functional distortions in the spine resulting from vertebral subluxations. These subluxations are seen in cases of reverse cervical curve, whiplash and joint instability. The body responds by tightening muscles in the neck, "splinting" the joint to protect it from further insult. Chiropractic care can help Most of the pain-sensing nerves in the neck are located in the pairs of facet joints on the back side of each vertebra. These smooth, interlocking surfaces allow you to rotate your head and bend your head up and down. If these joints become locked or fixated, neck pain can result. Chiropractic care can help restore proper joint motion. A more difficult problem to correct is the degenerative changes that result from neglect. Years of uncorrected spinal problems can cause bone spurs, disc thinning and other forms of spinal decay. These types of problems respond more slowly, and some type of on-going supportive chiropractic care may be necessary. Our response to stress is another common cause of neck pain. Deadlines. Rush-hour traffic. Overcommitments. Work pressures. Family obligations. Ever meet someone who was a "pain in the neck"? Each of us is susceptible to our body’s unconscious response to people and circumstances. These perceptions can show up as episodes of neck pain. If the weakest link in our bodies is our neck, stress shows up there. While chiropractic care cannot reduce the stress of your busy life, it can help improve your ability to handle and tolerate it. Without drugs or surgery! ![]() Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of metabolism that results from a deficiency of insulin. Insulin, produced by the pancreas, controls your blood sugar (glucose) levels. Insulin normally lowers your blood sugar levels. In its absence of insulin, blood sugar levels climb, leading to serious health consequences. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, blindness in adults and amputations. Diabetes also increases the risk for heart disease, stroke and birth defects. Diabetes is considered the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. Traditional approaches to care for diabetes includes managing the blood sugar levels with insulin injections, diet and exercise. There are some new drug therapies but these drugs may be harmful to the kidneys and liver, only leading to more problems. It is important to note that even though medical care is fairly successful at managing blood sugar levels, diabetes shortens life expectancy by up to 15 years. At this time there are no methods to cure or prevent diabetes. Diabetic patients may find success with chiropractic care. Spinal nerve interference has been documented in the scientific literature to be a cause of metabolic problems including diabetes. Based on the statistics by the Committee on Research of the International Chiropractic Association and Kale Network, 67.5% of the diabetic mellitus patients were well or much improved, 22% were slightly improved and 9.7% were the same after receiving Specific Chiropractic care. Note: Specific Chiropractic care patients received upper cervical (neck) chiropractic adjustments. This is important to note because the first 2 vertebra protect your "brain stem." ![]() When the spine is misaligned it affects the normal draining of the Eustachian tubes. Stagnate water left in the ears provides a breeding ground for bacterial growth. A chiropractic adjustment releases the pressure on the tubes allowing normal drainage to occur and reduces the incidence of ear infections. 45 children with ear infections were treated with chiropractic care. 93% of the cases resolved under care. 75% within 10 days or less. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1996 Mar-Apr;19(3):169-77. ![]() Back Pain Will I Have To Live With It? Pain is a warning sign. Like the piercing sound from a smoke alarm, the alarm isn't the problem. The alarm has a cause, just like every ache or pain has a cause. Some people choose to cover up the pain instead of correcting the cause. What's your approach? It makes sense to correct the cause instead of treating the symptom. The nerve-rich facet joints on the back side of each spinal bone are a common cause of back pain. If these pairs of interlocking "fingers" aren't moving right, they can cause painful symptoms. The discs between spinal bones can be a source of back pain, too. These rings of fibrous tissues act as spacers, connectors and "shock absorbers" for the spine. Trauma can cause the soft, pulpy material in the middle to bulge or herniate, putting pressure on delicate nearby nerves. Once you know the cause, you have several choices. One approach is bed rest. But research shows that prolonged bed rest can actually delay recovery and make the problem worse! Physical therapy is another option. But exercising spinal joints that aren't working right is like continuing to drive your car with misaligned tires! Another choice is to numb or cover up the pain with drugs. While drugs can offer temporary relief, they can't correct functional problems of affected spinal joints. The most drastic measure is surgery. A laminectomy cuts off the offending facet joints, leaving the spinal cord exposed! A spinal fusion cuts out the disc tissue and immobilizes the joint. While there may be times when surgery makes sense, it's expensive, risky and more than half of all back surgeries fail. More and more people are choosing chiropractic care first, Specific chiropractic adjustments can help improve spinal function. Better yet, chiropractic care is safe. Chiropractic is natural. And chiropractic looks to correct the underlying cause of the problem. Give us a call to schedule your $30 initial visit today and correct the problem before it becomes permanent. 530-577-5433 What Makes It So Different?
The focus of traditional health care is on germs and blood. Chiropractic is different. Chiropractic produces results by helping your nervous system work the way it should. An emphasis on blood overlooks the role of the nervous system, which controls your blood, your blood pressure and millions of other details. Chiropractic care focuses on your spine because it is the most vulnerable part of your nervous system. Doctor's don't heal. The very best doctors remove interferences to your healing ability. That's the purpose of chiropractic. Today's chiropractic doctor is well educated and passes stringent licensing examinations before earning the right to practice. Chiropractic is the natural choice for those who want to be their best while avoiding drugs and surgery. It's a scientific fact that your brain, spinal cord and the rest of your nerves control every aspect of your body. Hinder the vital nerve links between your brain and your body, and ill health can result. A common source of interference comes from the moving bones that encase the "information super highway" of your spinal cord. These subluxations can produce a variety of health problems. Nerve pressure can cause numbness, weakness or the under-performance of organs and tissues. Or, spinal misalignment can cause nerve tissue to stretch, chafe or become irritated. This can distort nerve messages between your body and your brain. The result? Hyperactive organ function, high blood pressure or even pain. The medical approach puts chemicals into your bloodstream to artificially change the way your body works. Laxatives to speed up elimination. Antacids to reduce stomach acid. Besides the fatal mistakes, side effects and possible kidney damage, drugs often ignore the real cause of the problem. Instead, the focus of chiropractic care is on the integrity of your nervous system. A thorough examination helps locate areas of nervous system compromise. The moving bones of the spine are common culprits. Then, specific chiropractic adjustments help reduce these interferences. The intent is to restore your body's ability to regulate and heal itself. Without drugs. Without surgery. Chiropractic is simple. It's natural. It honors the wisdom of your body. And it has helped millions enjoy relief and better health for more than a century. ![]() Resveratrol Supplement Results in Unexpected Effects on Exercise Health experts have noted that resveratrol, found in abundance in red wine and purple grape juice, can lessen inflammation, protect cells against oxidative damage, improve glucose regulation and blood pressure, and reduce total and LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol levels. A study on resveratrol and exercise has called these benefits into question. ![]() Mix Up the Probiotics for Digestive Health When things go wrong in the gut, the micro-organisms that live there are usually involved. Repopulating the gut with specific strains of friendly bacteria has been found to help some people with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and there is growing evidence that a taking a mixture of probiotic species may also relieve symptoms. 1. Pain is the last symptom of dysfunction. A patient’s back is often restricted or unstable for months or years before it presents as a problem and they show up in a chiropractor’s office. In addition, the absence of pain is not health. While medication may be needed, if you take a pill and the pain goes away, the dysfunction that caused it still persists. Muscle, ligament and joint injuries often occur as a result of long-term biomechanical dysfunction, sometimes from past injuries, making the area more susceptible to future injury. 2. Athletes use chiropractors to stay well and perform better, not just for the occasional injury. Athletes choose chiropractors because we are movement specialists. Chiropractors were spotted all over the Olympic coverage last year, and top athletes such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, Tom Brady, Evander Holyfield, and Arnold Schwarzenegger have all been proud patients of chiropractors. These days it’s far more common than not for major athletes and sports teams to keep chiropractors nearby to help prevent injuries, speed injury recovery, improve balance and coordination, and give them a greater competitive edge. 3. The body does not perform as a cluster of separate mechanisms, but rather a cascade of events that all starts with proper control by the nervous system. The nerves that travel through and control every function of your body originate at the spinal cord and their transmission may be disrupted if the joints of the surrounding spinal column are not moving properly. This disruption in biomechanical integrity combined with altered physiological function is what chiropractors call a subluxation. Below is a chart that illustrates the relationship of the spinal nerves exiting the vertebra branching off to the various organ systems. You can see why it is not uncommon for a chiropractor to treat a patient with mid-back pain who also suffers from irritable bowel system, a patient with a subluxated sacrum who has been unsuccessfully trying to become pregnant, or a patient with an upper back fixation and acid reflux. 4. Doctors don’t do the healing. Sorry to disappoint you, but a chiropractor will never fix your back. What we are able to do is restore proper motion in the joints, which relieves tension on the nerves and muscles and allows your body to do the healing that it is inherently made to do. As chiropractors, we believe that the body is a perfect organism in its natural state, and all disease comes from a disruption in the body’s proper transmission of signals by the nerves which affects its ability to heal and to defend against disease-causing agents. We never treat disease. We assess to find which spinal levels are causing the disfunction, and we adjust it to restore proper nerve flow so the nervous system may work as efficiently and effectively as possible. 5. Chiropractic is for all ages. Many seniors aren’t aware of the benefits of chiropractic care which can help them not only with pain relief, but also increase range of motion, balance and coordination, and decrease joint degeneration. There’s no patient too young for chiropractic either! Chiropractors check infants moments after birth for misalignments of the upper vertebrae that may occur as a result of the birth process. In addition to supporting overall health and well-being, parents also take their children to chiropractors to encourage healthy brain and nervous system development, to assist with colic, asthma, allergies, bed-wetting and sleeping problems, and to assist with behavioral disorders. 6. We know about more than your backbone! This surprises many people who had no idea that chiropractors give advice on nutrition, fitness, ergonomics and lifestyle, screen for conditions unrelated to the musculoskeletal system and refer out to other practitioners when necessary. Chiropractors are also able to complete specialties in other areas such as pediatrics, sports rehabilitation, neurology, clinical nutrition, and addictions and compulsive disorders. Other than particular specialties and the differences in learning to adjust and learning to prescribe medication, our training hours are not dissimilar from that of medical doctor. The following are the classroom hours for basic science requirements compiled and averaged following a review of curricula of 18 chiropractic schools and 22 medical schools. 7. Successful chiropractic patients accept responsibility.
When somebody says that they tried chiropractic and it didn’t help, I cringe and get the feeling that they really missed the boat. Of course, there are cases with complicating factors, but I have heard this from people with straightforward chiropractic problems when it is very clear what has happened here. In most cases, one doesn’t acquire back pain over night, and it’s not going to go away over night. If a weak core from years of sitting at your desk is to blame for the additional stress on your joints, I would expect an adjustment to provide relief, but once the condition is no longer exacerbated, I would most definitely prescribe some exercises for you to do at home. I might also suggest we evaluate your nutrition if I suspect an inflammatory diet may be wiring you for pain. Sure, I’m always happy to adjust someone and make a living, but if you’ve been given homework and you don’t do it, I better not hear you say chiropractic didn’t work when you’re hurting again! 8. Chiropractic may help you get sick less. Studies have indicated that adjustments consistently reduce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators associated with tissue damage and pain, and may also enhance the production of immunoregulatory complexes important for healthy immune system defense. As far back as the deadly flu pandemic of 1917-1918, chiropractors noticed that their patients seemed to have fewer fatalities than among the general population and were able to publish their work in an osteopathic journal since no scholarly journals were accepting chiropractic data. The estimated death rate among patients of conventional medical care in the U.S. was estimated at 5 to 6 percent while the fatality rate among influenza cases receiving spinal adjustments was estimated at 0.25%. 9. “I heard I’ll have to go forever” is a myth. You may want to go to your chiropractor forever once you’ve started because you didn’t realize how great getting adjusted is, but your doctor won’t expect you to come for continuous care without symptoms. Generally, if you come in with pain, once you’ve been treated for your initial complaint, you’ll be scheduled for a few more appointments to make sure proper motion is being maintained, then it will be recommended you return occasionally to be checked just like you would go to the dentist to get checked for tartar buildup and cavities. Of course, many people still choose to see their chiropractor weekly or monthly for wellness or maintenance care. 10. Adjustments don’t hurt. There is no bone snapping or warrior-style pulling heads off spinal columns! The neck adjustment some chiropractors use causes anticipation for many new patients, but is actually much more gentle than they imagined, and involves a quick, direct thrust to a specific spinal bone. The sound an adjustment makes is called a cavitation and is only space being created within the joint causing gasses to be released from the joint capsule, which creates the popping or cracking noise. Also, chiropractic adjustments will not wear out your joints, as some imagine because they have been warned not to “crack their knuckles” for this reason in the past. Adjustments, unlike “knuckle cracking” or having your friend stomp on you while you lay on the carpet, are applied specifically to improve the motion of your joints and limit the small dysfunctions that over time can lead to arthritis. Most people after an adjustment describe the feeling as being “lighter”, having greater ease in moving the body, and being able to stand up taller. Resources: http://www.yourmedicaldetective.com/drgrisanti/mddc.htm http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=9485 http://omaleydc.com/chiropractic/10-things-most-people-dont-know-about-chiropractic/141/ ![]() If you’ve ever wanted to lose some weight or eat healthier than you are right now (I mean, most of the food we eat is crap, right??), chances are you’ve been on some sort of diet or some sort of crazy program that’s supposed to yield you magical results. You’ve heard all the hype, the gimmicks and the mystical ancient tricks that are supposed to be your shortcuts to long lasting weight loss success… and guess what? It’s never that easy, is it? It never lasts long-term, does it? And chances are you might even gain more weight back than you originally lost! Kind of sucks, right? Well it does, and that’s because there really is no ‘magic formula’ to long-lasting weight loss success. There is no ‘magic pill’. There are no gimmicks that work long-term. What does work is having a proven plan, and following the plan. I’m going to give you 7 Simple Slimming Secrets to help achieve measurable weight loss that will stay off over time. 7 Simple Slimming Secrets To Losing Weight 1. Drink Plenty Of Fluids – I bet you didn’t know that 74% of adults are dehydrated. And when I say dehydrated, I mean adults don’t drink enough water. That’s a shame because there are so many benefits to drinking water. For instance, water slows your metabolism, helps detoxify your body, provides energy, curbs hunger (often thirst is confused as hunger), and so on. Bottom line is stop drinking the soda or other ‘sugary’ drinks and just drink a lot of water per day. 2. Eat Protein - Protein is a key way to help keep blood sugars level, and keeps you from getting hungry. Plus, when you do exercise (see tip 7), protein helps repair the damage to your muscles that you incurred in your workout. Benefits of protein include building lean muscle and burning fat, so you can see why eating protein is important. 3. Eat Fruits & Vegetables - I really shouldn’t have to explain this that much (especially since we’ve been told this a million times since we were kids), but it goes without saying as to how important it is to eat the right foods, namely fruits and vegetables. They fill your body with low calories, high energy, nutrition, antioxidants and fiber. Bottom line is you can eat more in a meal with less calories by consuming fruits and vegetables. 4. Avoid The Color Beige - You might not have known this, but most foods that are beige in color tend to be high in carbohydrates and calories, but low in nutrition. For instance, breads, pastas, rice and other beige foods may taste great, but they are NOT good for you compared to the value you get with eating fruits and vegetables. In fact, you could almost eat 10 cups of fruits to 1 cup of beans. 5. Get Some Sleep - The body is made to recover from its activities, and the ONLY way it truly recovers is with sleep. The body really needs about 8 hours of sleep to function optimally. Now it may be a coincidence, but 68% of people don’t get 8 hours of sleep per night, and that’s the exact percentage of people who are overweight. Just sayin… 6. Portion Sizes Count - The average plate of food is 2-3 times larger than it used to be just 30 years ago, so that should be a ‘wake up’ call right there. A normal serving size of protein is the same size as your computer mouse. 2 servings of mixed greens should be the same as 2 baseballs. A serving of fruit should be the size of a tennis ball. Keep these portion sizes in mind, and that will help you lose weight. 7. Exercise!! - The absolute best way to boost your metabolism, to boost your energy, and boost your weight loss into hyperdrive is to get off the couch and get some exercise, period! Go for a 10 minute walk 3 times a day. Go for a 30 minute workout 3-4 times a week. Just do something. If you follow these 7 Simple Slimming Secrets, you’ll lead a healthy lifestyle, you’ll lose weight, and more importantly you’ll keep it off. ![]() ![]() I will say it again, Tony Soprano Dies at 51, Why is Everyone So Shocked? James Gandolfini had a heart attack in Italy last night bringing a sudden end to his life at 51 years of age. The reports are flying around and as they do the emotion expressed almost as much as the expected sadness is shock. Shock because it happened suddenly, he was not outwardly ill, no obvious weight loss or hair loss or frailty as we see in cancer, just a report this morning that he is gone. There seems to be a much deeper fear in our society of cancer than heart disease. Maybe because it has such obvious symptoms and can last years as it does its damage, if not handled well. We are well versed in the painful and miserable treatments and side effects that come from chemotherapy and radiation, the hair loss, weight loss, pain and nausea. We are familiar with the emotional toll of watching a loved one die slowly and in pain and as much empathy as we may have we secretly pray that it never happens to us. The bottom line though is that cancer does not shock us, scares us yes, shock us no. Heart disease takes more American lives than cancer. The first symptom of heart disease kills 40% of its victims. Heart disease can and is being detected in teenagers, well before most cancers will be detectable. Heart disease is more prevalent, effects us younger, progresses faster when detected than cancer as well. Yet we do not dread or fear it the same way. People do not do elective heart operations and bodily alterations to prevent this potential disease in the future. There are not special insurance policies for heart disease like there is for cancer and the big associations that raise money in its name do not have the celebrity or funding as its cancer counterparts. I think this stems from the fact that we still believe that disease, cancer, heart disease or otherwise, happens TO us rather than develops FROM us. I also feel that is why people do not do what they need to do to effectively prevent, treat or heal from these conditions. There is a deep rooted belief that there is some mystical gene, destined circumstance or stroke of bad luck that holds our health or disease fate. Truth be told we know what causes cancer, heart disease and most of the conditions that effect us in our modern life. We know how to detect it, what contributes to it, how to prevent it and how to turn it around if we develop it....but most simply do not believe it. It is easier to say, "oh, it is my family plight to get this disease, I have THE gene you know, or some are just unlucky, such is life, we have done all medically possible." Therefor why change my life to try and avoid the inevitable? Why even change my lifestyle when sick? I GOT heart disease, I HAVE cancer, I AM diabetic. Can you hear the ownership here? Can you see the self acceptance of your lot in life? Death from a heart attack is abrupt, but I do not find it shocking. A car accident, brain aneurism, a fluke accident, those are shocking. Heart disease builds over a long period of time, develops from distinct efforts and choices in our life and lifestyles, grows from the foods we eat, the exercise we lack, the chemicals we ingest, the emotional state we uphold and from the biology of our very beliefs. You can not be both healthy and sick at the same time. Disease is not an accident, although you can accidentally bring it upon yourself, it is not a malfunction or anomaly but rather a self defense mechanism being expressed in desperation to keep you alive. Terrorize your body with blood sugar and insulin damage and your body will get to the point where it has a choice, either die or develop diabetes to buy you some more time to get your act together. Choose to silence the symptoms of a disease with the medical approach while not changing what was driving the problem in the first place, simply "manage" your condition or "treat" its effects and you are accepting a life with that disease, a life that will not be as long or as healthy as it could have been. It did not happen to you, it came from you and is part of you. My dear friends, colleagues, fans, family and opposition, we NEED to get REAL and deliver some TOUGH LOVE for healthy living. We need to take responsibility and step up and realize our own role in out LIFE and HEALTH and if you are a parent then the HEALTH of your children as well. We all, myself included, have made mistakes, followed the wrong path, been flat out wrong and as a society are paying the price. On our current path we are sick, diseased and dying. We MUST change our thinking, our goals, priorities and lifestyle efforts and health care models and approach. This article is not to condemn you but rather wake those asleep and inspire those who will listen and work with those who are interested. If you get offended by this concept....GOOD for you! It means something here has challenged your beliefs and your are contemplating the potential of either being wrong or making change....both are needed in this process evolving our health standards. If you are not actively improving your health you are passively losing it. There are tremendous resources out there to help you, we are one of them. Call upon us if we can be of any service and help us in our efforts to teach these lessons by sharing our posts and contribute to our learning by posting your thoughts and comments. Thanks Don Clum for the post: www.PatchogueWellness.com ![]() Lets talk about "John". John started under care for low back pain. This happened from a volleyball accident. He was referred by one of "you", since our office is 100% referral based... Thank You... and started by attending our Orientation and his 12 initial adjustments. Why twelve someone asked? Within these visits we expect to see changes with every adjustment. This is good because we want the body to be in a dynamic state of healing. Sometimes we feel great after the adjustment, sometime we are in a healing stage, either way we want change. You see the body is made to express health, all you need to do is give it the essential components for life. Once the body has these it can and will start to heal and repair all aspects of pain, dysfunction and disease. Starting with what is right allows the body to heal itself without drugs, surgeries, or injections. If we don't see change then the body is stuck in a pattern, either from long term stress, injury or disease. So John, after 9 visits was not responding to the adjustments in an expected way, or outcome. I had a discussion with John and told him that because we are not seeing any changes there is something wrong inside not allowing him to heal naturally and he needed to get it checked out by a medical specialist in town. I gave him a referral to one of the medical clinics in town. The reason I am telling you this story is I saw John in Lira's here in Meyers and every time I see him he grabs me and says, "You Saved My Life", smiles, pats me on the back and then continues shopping. No real conversation, no hi, no bye just a hug and a statement. I guess that is all that needs to be said. John makes an appointment for the specialist in town. He has blood work, MRI, and many other tests to look for what is wrong. Come to find out, John had a rare form of bone cancer that has no tests or screening procedures. This seemingly healthy active man was expressing cancer with no symptoms. John was scheduled for surgery and the cancer was removed and John is back at work. Chiropractic does not treat what is wrong with you, but what is right inside of you. True health care should rely on bringing the body to a state of balance, regardless of symptoms. Finding and correcting the imbalance, and bringing a state of balance, is what makes chiropractic different, and why it works so efficiently at allowing the body to heal naturally from the inside out. ![]()
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AuthorLiving, Working, and Playing in Meyers, outside South Lake Tahoe. We are Generating a Phenomenal Community outside of society's constraints. Delivering Life, Health, and Community. Archives
March 2020
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