Archive for September, 2009

We all need some peace in our lives. One of the greatest ways to get the rest and relaxation you need is to take several “mini vacations” every week. We often work hard and stress hard saving up for that weekend or week of “vacation”. But research shows you need down time every day, and the T.V. and internet don’t count!

I took a 30-minute “mini vacation” with my wife last week to El Dorado Park. A little time staring at turtles swimming and a spider weaving a web was all I needed to reconnect with myself and my goals and feel rejuvenated. In stressful and busy times, are you taking time to rejuvenate?

Hans Selye’s work on General Adaptation syndrome is a good reason to answer, “Yes,” in the future. Selye was an M.D. who studied human response to chronic stress and its affect on overall health. In summary, Selye found that over time the hormones for stress become desensitized and then depleted. This leads to heart disease, cancer, depression, obesity and caffeine addiction to name a few!

At the Advanced Wellness Center, we deal with the effects of adrenal burnout daily. Through a series of tests, your practitioner can tell you if your stress hormones are depleted. In combination with your mini vacations, herbs, proper diet, massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic are proven solutions that work together synergistically for your healing!

So make time for 3 mini vacations this week, and feel your energy levels rise! On September 26, 2009 El Dorado Park celebrates 40 years of excellence. Find out more at http://www.longbeach.gov/park.

Michael Day, D.C.
Doctor of Chiropractic

Many patients come to me asking for guidance on how to stop smoking. One thing that I’ve found from years of working with patients is that aside from the physical addiction to a powerful and toxic drug, people continue to use tobacco for two primary reasons:

1. To manage weight. Nicotine is associated with weight loss because it suppresses appetite and speeds up metabolism. Many patients feel like if they stop smoking they’ll replace one oral fixation with another — eating.
2. To reduce stress. Patients claim they smoke because it helps them relax.

Needless to say, the harmful and deadly side effects of tobacco products far outweigh any of the perceived benefits. As I tell my patients, there are natural alternatives to Nicotine that work in harmony to promote healthy weight and reduced stress while optimizing your overall wellbeing, including:

• Exercise – working out will help you achieve your weight goals while relieving stress and anxiety.
• Nutrition – eating right will have you feeling better in no time.
• Herbs – the right combination of herbs helps the detoxification process and ensures that cravings are limited.
• Acupuncture – this ancient method’s effect on the central nervous system reduces stress and Nicotine cravings. It also strengthens the digestive tract to assist in weight control.

This program is successful for more than 70 percent of those patients who stick to it. But, like anything else, a healthy lifestyle takes work and commitment. If you’re willing to make a commitment to taking control of your well-being, give me a call!

Cheryl A. Suing, LAc, MA, CSCS
Licensed Acupuncturist, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Healing Tip of the Week
It’s not always WHAT you eat that causes digestive and weight problems; it’s HOW you eat it. Eat mindfully – take the time to sit down, slow down and chew your food. You’ll notice that you eat less and are more satisfied.

As you read the title of this post, head tilted forward, and shoulders slouched, you may have just perked up thinking, “I have good posture.” But, having good posture is more than consciously sitting or standing in an erect position. It’s a progressive process that becomes a subconscious part of your life.

The first step to correcting your posture understands the health risks of your slumped position:

• Neck, upper back and jaw pain can all be the result of forward head posture. For every inch your head moves forward it doubles in weight. Since the average head weighs ten to 12 pounds, it is estimated that more than 50 percent of the population is carrying twenty to twenty four pounds on their already taxed shoulders.
• Decreased range of motion because of soft tissue and boney restrictions that prevent using muscles and joints to their complete range.
• Leaning too heavily on the balls of your feet can cause pain if the position is chronic and repetitive.
• Numbness and tingling in the arms and fingers can be a late stage symptom to more serious postural dysfunction.

Unfortunately, for many people, these maladies become the norm, accelerating degenerative change. Fortunately, there are some ways to rectify poor posture before it is too late:

• Posture specific exercise, including the Super Six Posture Protocol Series available at the Advanced Wellness Center, takes the focus off of larger muscle groups and focuses on smaller, posture-stabilizing muscles.
• Advanced stretching techniques facilitated by a professional, manipulate and mobilize joints and muscles.
• Lifestyle modification, such as the incorporation of ergonomic furnishings along with an anti-inflammatory diet, can go a long way in improving your overall health.

When your body’s function is limited, your life is limited too. Visit the Advanced Wellness Center to find out how you can take steps to prevent future illness and optimize your overall health.

Bryan Ales, DC
Postural Based Chiropractic

Healing Tip of the Week
Take five minutes out of your day to reap the benefits of focused breathing to decrease stress and tension. A simple approach is to breathe in through the nose for a count of five, and out through the mouth for a count of seven with a focus on raising and lowering your belly rather than your chest.  Have fun and feel the difference in your mindset.