I wanted to share one of my favorite Chinese Parables. It goes like this….
Once upon a time, there was an old man in China who had one horse and one son. One day, the horse wandered away and was lost. Upon learning this, the neighbors went to the old man and told him they were sorry to hear about his bad luck.
“How do you know it is bad luck?” he asked.
Soon thereafter, the horse returned, and brought back with him many wild horses. Upon learning this, the neighbors again went to the old man, this time congratulating him on his good luck.
“How do you know it is good luck?” he asked.
Having so many horses, the son took to riding, and it so happened that he was thrown from a horse and broke his leg. Once again, the neighbors went to the old man, this time expressing sorrow at his bad luck.
“How do you know it is bad luck?” he asked.
Soon thereafter, a war broke out and the old man’s son, because of the injury, did not have to go to war.
So what does this have to do with your health?
What I am hoping you will take from this is that how we perceive things, our perception, can often cause us stress. And we all know now how much stress affects our lives in many ways. Events happen and they are not always in our control. We usually can’t see the big picture. If we can just take a step back from a situation and look at it from different angles, or look for maybe something positive from it, we may reduce our stress. Maybe it is doing some googling to better understand and find new information about it, giving you a different perspective. Try to move forward the best you can. Some say:
*Go with the flow
*Just have faith and trust that things will work out for the best.
*Something positive always comes out of something bad.
*Try to keep an open mind
Soften every situation without judging too harshly before looking at it and finding the positive.
Yes, sometimes you can’t see it in the thick of things and that is where you have to trust that this too shall pass, and with a curious mind believe that something good usually comes from the something bad. If nothing else, the sun will shine again. You may not be able to change the event but you can change how you perceive it.
Please share this with anyone who you think may benefit from it. Check out our website blogs for more information you will find helpful.
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Lung and Diaphragm Health Through Breathing
Our lungs are a great concern these days. So, what are you doing for your lungs?
In this article, I will give you a breathing exercise and some other helpful hints or reminders as well as tools for greater lung health.
First off… BREATHE!
Go outside and get fresh air. It has been shown that people who get outside and get fresh (clean) air on a regular basis have a stronger immune system than those who stay indoors. This means less illness overall as your body has an easier time fighting off germs before they invade and take over. Fresh air helps the airways of your lungs to dilate more fully and improve the cleansing action of your lungs. When you exhale and breathe out your lungs release airborne toxins from your body. Trees give off oxygen through a process called photosynthesis, so if you can walk in a park or woods it would be helpful. Especially during winter months when we are often closed up indoors a lot and don’t get as much clean air.
Control the Humidity in Your Home
The air can also be dry during winter months when we spend more time indoors with the furnaces and wood stoves running. Dryness irritates the respiratory passages and sinuses which increases the risk of spreading viruses. So, it is best to try to control humidity levels using a humidifier or dehumidifier. Humidity levels are best between 30%-50%. If your humidifier does not come with a control on it, you can use a device called a hygrometer to measure the amount of humidity in the air.
How To Get Clean Air Without Being Outside
If you are unable to be outside due to certain health conditions or allergies, you need to control the air inside your home. Clean your home and try to keep it as free from dust and dirt as possible. Change the furnace filter and wash your bed linens often. Use of air purifiers and humidifiers mentioned above are useful. You can help clean the air indoors by using house plants, which give off oxygen like trees do. The Aloe Vera plant is known to release more oxygen at night which purifies the air and helps us breathe easier while we sleep. You can use beeswax candles, salt lamps, and essential oils to help with air quality.
Don’t smoke, of course, for better lung health and follow the health hints of:
- Get enough rest
- Keep hydrated by drinking enough water
- Eat a good diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Lose weight (we all gain when we are home for extended periods of time)
- Avoid pollutants and allergens
- Control humidity in your home
How to Breathe
It is important to breathe in through your nose because little nose hairs called cilia filter out dust, debris, and toxins. Breathing through your nose controls the temperature of the air coming in. Sometimes warming and sometimes cooling the air to your lungs, to a certain degree, since the lungs are not a big fan of too hot or cold air. The nasal passages are specifically designed to humidify the air you breathe as well. In times of big exposure to allergens, dust, and pollutants another way to rid your nose of debris is to use a sinus or neti pot found at your local pharmacy or drug store.
The Benefits of Deep Breathing
Do some deep breathing. Several studies show how deep, or diaphragmatic, breathing can slow your heart rate and reduce blood pressure. This type of breathing stimulates the Vagus nerve which reduces the fight or flight response that causes feelings of anxiety or tension. Deep breathing increases the supply of oxygen to your brain and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which promotes a state of calmness. When done at night it can help relax you and prepare you for sleep. Deep breathing also is more effective in pumping lymph fluid throughout the body, which stimulates self-healing. The lymph fluid contains immune cells which are targeted to fight bacteria and viruses. In addition, deep breathing shifts the production of brain chemicals which promote healing.
Breathe from your diaphragm (abdomen), not your chest. Your Diaphragm is a muscle located across the bottom of your lungs and above your stomach. It is a primary muscle and is controlled by the Phrenic Nerve. Since our lung function and lung capacity decreases slowly as we age after our mid-20s, like any muscle the diaphragm needs to be strengthened. To strengthen it and accomplish better lung health ad get your body the oxygen it needs, you can perform breathing exercises.
A Breathing Exercise
One simple breathing technique or exercise is called “box breathing.” Simply take in a deep breath with your nose, filling your lungs to the count of four. Feel your lungs expanding starting at your diaphragm up to the tip of your lungs. Then hold your breath for four counts, and then exhale slowly four counts through your mouth. It is good to repeat this four times. You can do this exercise several times throughout the day if needed. It is recommended that you sit while doing this just in case you get a little dizzy or lightheaded. This can be normal but with practice, it becomes less. The better your lung capacity the healthier your lungs will be. There are many different breathing techniques for breathing using different counts. There is no right or wrong technique. Research and find one that you like best. The goal is to pick one and use it often.
While our lungs automatically work for us, it is important to also be conscious of your breathing in times of stress and when the quality of your air is compromised.
Please share this article with anyone you feel could benefit from it.
Next month we will visit a Chinese Parable about perception.
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Taming the Fear
I haven’t met a single person who hasn’t experienced fear at some time since the start of the Covid pandemic. Maybe you had only a moment of fear – or maybe it is daily and never goes away. The people who are the most frightened are in the biggest danger of compromising their immune systems and therefore exposing themselves to illness.
What are you doing to reduce your fears? Following are some suggestions – but first let’s take a look at how fear affects your brain and body. Fear affects you mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Fear causes us to operate from the reptilian part of our brain. It’s the part that has allowed us to survive all these years, it puts us into the fight or flight mode.
When you are in the flight mode you are running from the tiger, your reptilian mind knows you can’t fight the tiger, so you run. Your body puts all its energy into getting to your muscles to fun from the tiger. You don’t need to digest food or use your brain to make decisions at that moment. That means you are not using those parts of your brain that allow you to think straight, make good decisions, or be responsible. Knee jerk responses from the reptilian mind do not help you in ongoing situations like Covid. I could get more technical, but you get the picture.
Whether you know what to do to tame your fears or just need a reminder – here are some ideas. First, Are you doing everything you can?
- Wear your mask
- Social distance
- Keep gathering numbers down, mix only one or two households
- Wash hands properly
- Get enough sleep
- Eat fruits and vegetables in a rainbow of colors (giving you a rainbow of nutrients)
- Supplement your diet with vitamins
- Get outside for exercise and fresh air
- Get adjusted
Stop watching the Covid numbers and news on your TV. If you must, only once a day or once a week at most. Ask yourself, does knowing the new record high, or low, protect me or keep me safer by knowing it? Are you waiting for a particular number to start implementing some of the above tips? Probably not. So, if you are doing everything you can to keep yourself healthy, doesn’t hearing the daily report just add stress? And stress can lower your immune sysytem.
Consider turning the channel to something more enjoyable, like catching up on re-runs of a favorite show. Steer away from conversations of Covid with others who are fearful or stressed. Yes, hard to avoid, but keep it to a minimum and then gently change the subject. You’ll both be talking about something more enjoyable and defeating stress.
One of the best ways to tame your fear is to do something kind for someone, without expectation of any reward. Seeing the happiness you bring another person will make your spirits soar. Gratitude is one of the most underrated emotions for relieving stress in your life.
Make a conscious effort to stay in the present moment. Right now am I OK? Is there anything I can do right this minute to change anything? If so do it, if not let it go. Try not to worry about tomorrow, it hasn’t happened yet. We all have probably heard the saying, FEAR is: False Evidence Appearing Real. It may be false; it may never happen. Don’t focus on that which hasn’t happened and may not happen. Stop the chatter in your brain.
Just Breathe. Take Slow Deep Breaths. Go Outside and Breathe Fresh Air
Put up a bird feeder and watch nature, take a walk, start a hobby, put together a puzzle, read a book, try making a new recipe, get some projects done at home, paint a room, sort through a closet, look through some photos of family or trips, call someone for a little chat, play an instrument or listen to music, maybe even dance, the list goes on…
Find what works for you to make you happy. Find your “thing.”
Please pass this on to anyone you think may benefit from these hints and information. There is more information on our website alleganchiropractic.com and our Facebook page alleganchiropractic/Facebook
Next month the topic is: Breathing Techniques you can do to improve your lung health and reduce anxiety and stress.
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Why Do I Bring My Dog to Work?
There are many reasons I bring my dog to work but the overriding one is that she (Sedona) makes people feel more relaxed, less stressed, and less anxious. Kids enjoy getting to play with her after their adjustment and she keeps them busy while their parents are getting their adjustment. Lots of loving is shared between Sedona, kids, and adults. Many want to take her home with them, but we remind them we know where they live. LOL
Studies Show Dogs Are Stress Removers
Sedona loves people of all ages and greets every patient with a wag of the tail and a smile. Smile? It looks that way at least. You can feel the stress wash away from people as they pet and talk to her. Not surprising since there have been numerous studies on the effects of animals in doctors’ offices, nursing homes, hospitals, funeral homes, and other stressful environments. They all show that people feel less anxious about their situations when they have the unconditional love of a dog.
Decrease Multiple Stressors In One Visit
The body is affected by chemical, physical, and emotional stresses. It is necessary to combat all three for optimal health. Sedona helps to reduce the emotional/mental impacts of stress. Between her and us providing an atmosphere of joy and acceptance along with your adjustment, you are addressing more aspects than just the physical in our office.
Escape The Stresses Of The World
So, in these uncertain times of Coronavirus and all the uprising and calamity in the world, people have a great deal of stress and concern for their families and themselves. Sedona is here to help you escape, for a short time at least, the stresses of the world.
When you stop by to get some love from Sedona you can schedule your next appointment to let us help you with your health. Feel free to stay longer if you need to for some relaxing Sedona time.
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5 Reasons to Make an Appointment with Your Chiropractor
Why Should I See a Chiropractor?
Here are 5 reasons to make an appointment with your Chiropractor
- Headaches
- Joint or Muscle Pain
- You Sit for Long Periods of Time
- Chronic Back Pain
- Limited Range of Motion
1. Headaches
An aching head can be caused by a number of reasons: dehydration, malnutrition, oxygen deprivation, or there could be a misalignment in the neck, spine, or skull.
A Chiropractor can help relieve headaches, improve the blood flow to the brain which will increase the amount of oxygen supplied to the brain.
Headaches often result from a fall, accident, or rapid collision, as in sports. These headaches can be relieved through Cranial Chiropractic adjustments.
2. Joint or Muscle Pain
If you experience pain in your muscles and joints a Chiropractic visit should be your first reaction. If your first experience is a dose of Advil you are only masking the problem. A Chiropractor is trained to make sure your body is functioning at your optimum level using spinal adjustments to relieve pain in your joints and muscles.
Spinal adjustments increase blood flow and nerve conductivity to the joints and muscles that are experiencing pain.
3. You Sit for Long Periods of Time
It doesn’t matter if you are sitting doing needlework, reading, hanging out with friends, or typing at a computer, it is not uncommon to wind up with very poor posture. Poor posture very often leads to back pain.
Your pain may be due to problems with the musculoskeletal alignment.
Pressure caused by sitting may cause the discs and bones to shift enough to cause a slipped or herniated disc.
Even if you don’t feel any major pain now your spine is becoming misaligned. A chiropractor is trained to make sure your spine is aligned correctly, so you don’t have problems further on down the road.
4. Chronic Back Pain
This is the most obvious sign that you need to make an appointment with your Chiropractor. There are multiple factors that contribute to back pain: poor posture, how long you’re on your feet, and what kind of work you do.
A Doctor of Chiropractic can provide you with pain relief with the need for invasive surgery or narcotics.
5. Limited Range of Motion
This may not cause you any pain, but it will cause you a great deal of frustration. Everyday tasks you used to be able to do will no longer be doable. You may not be able to turn your neck far enough to check for traffic without turning your whole body. And you may be turning your whole body and not be aware of it, be conscious of your movements.
Chiropractic adjustments realign the bones and joints, increasing the range of motion and helping the body to function optimally.
There are many other reasons to see a Chiropractor, especially if you are active or want to live a more Health Conscious Life.
So, what are you waiting for? Contact Allegan County Chiropractic today! If you can relate to any of the signs mentioned above, it’s time to pick up the phone and contact us at 269-673-5426!
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Is My Baby Really Healthy?
When an infant cries he or she needs something. Sometimes, it’s food, sometimes water, sometimes a changed diaper. And sometimes we can’t figure out what’s wrong. When a child cries a lot, doesn’t sleep very well and is colicky that is his or her way of telling you something is wrong. According to a study done recently by Viola Frymann D.O., “90% of newborns suffer the effects of birth trauma: associated strain through the neck and cranial area following birth. Dr. Frymann studied more than 1,500 babies within the first 5 days of life.”
The birthing process can be quite traumatic. Even the most natural birthing processes can result in trauma that may go undetected for years. Of the 90% of babies with birth trauma, only 10% had trauma so severe it was evident at birth. That means 80% of babies grow into childhood with some degree of strain that keeps them from achieving their full potential.
But how can I tell if my baby has birth trauma?
All babies should be examined for cranial and neck injuries right after birth. According to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, there are 3 major signals that your baby is suffering from some degree of neck or cranial strain. Signs that you need to bring your baby to a chiropractor who cares for infants.
- His head tilts to one side, even after you straighten it
- She seems to have difficulty turning her neck to one side
- He has difficulty settling down or sleeping soundly
There are many causes of birth trauma, the 8 most common are:
- Very short labor
- Very long labor
- The use of Pitocin to strengthen/induce uterine contractions
- Pain medications
- Restricted maternal birthing positions
- Pulling or twisting on the head to deliver the infants body
- The use of forceps or vacuum extraction
- Cesarean delivery
If you have just had a baby and want to know how healthy he or she is, bring her in to see me. I am trained in specific gentle chiropractic techniques for treating babies.
My baby seems to be doing just fine
Birth trauma in an infant is not evident to an untrained observer. Each birth is unique but there is always a chance your baby suffers from birth trauma. This is a problem that is very undiagnosed and under-publicized, according to researcher G Gutmann. If only 10% of infants born each year do not suffer from birth trauma, wouldn’t it be wise to make sure your baby is one of that healthy 10%?
If you leave birth trauma uncorrected it will impact your child’s spinal development, reduce the optimum function of her nervous system, and create health challenges down the road. Challenges that could have been prevented in the first place.
Is your baby having nursing difficulties, not sleeping well, constipated, or is she unable to be soothed and settled? These are all indications that something is wrong. Call and make an appointment to let me help you gently find the solutions to your baby’s problems.
At Allegan county Chiropractic I am committed to bringing health to our children. I look forward to seeing you and your little one soon.
