Dr. Elise Rigney

November in Golden: Community Events and Cozy Plans

by

November in Golden is a mix of mountain-town energy and cozy indoor plans. Here are some things on the calendar this month.

This week and next

  • FlowStateCrew film premiere, Fri Nov 13, 6 to 8 pm. At Colorado School of Mines. Tickets are $13.
  • Rescue Puppy Yoga, Sun Nov 15, 10:45 am. A family-friendly class at Holidaily Brewing Company.

Mid-month

  • Avalanche Awareness Night, Wed Nov 18, 5:30 to 8 pm. A free intro to outdoor safety at Morris & Mae Food Hall.
  • Warren Miller’s Days Off, Thu Nov 19, 7:30 pm. A ski film at the Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Ave.
  • 6 Million Dollar Band, Sat Nov 21, 8 pm. Live music at the Buffalo Rose. 18 and over, or younger with a parent or guardian.

Every week

  • Live Music Wednesdays at Miners Saloon, 1109 Miner’s Alley, 6 to 9 pm.
  • Trivia Night at The Golden Mill, 1012 Ford Street. Free to play.

Thanksgiving weekend and beyond

  • Small Business Saturday, Sat Nov 28. Golden’s downtown shops are a great place to find local gifts.
  • Olde Golden Candlelight Walk and holiday parade, December. Dates for this year weren’t posted when we checked, so watch the Visit Golden page.

Staying comfortable this month

Cold evenings and long nights out can leave you stiff. A few easy habits help:

  • Stretch for five minutes before heading out in the cold.
  • Stand up and move at least once an hour if you’re sitting for a show or a film.
  • Wear layers and shoes with real support, especially on downtown sidewalks.

How we can help

Impact Chiropractic Golden offers chiropractic care for the whole family, including prenatal care with the Webster Technique, pediatric care and SoftWave therapy. Book online through our profile.

Event details can change. Check each organizer’s page before you go. This article is for education only and is not medical advice.

Sources

Sleep Better After the Time Change: Simple Habits for Dark Evenings

by

Now that the clocks have changed, the sun is setting earlier and many of us are feeling it. Darker evenings can make it harder to stick to a normal routine, and that can show up in how we sleep and how we feel the next day. A few small habits go a long way.

How Much Sleep Do You Need?

Harvard Health recommends seven to nine hours per night for most adults. Needs vary by age and individual health, so it’s worth paying attention to how you feel.

Keep a Steady Schedule

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine notes that the fall time change can disrupt our sleep schedule. Its advice is to set your clocks to the new time and go to bed at your normal bedtime. Getting plenty of sleep on Sunday night helps you start the week rested.

Set Up Your Bedroom

  • Keep the room cool, around 65 to 68°F.
  • Block outside light and reduce noise with heavy curtains or a white noise machine.
  • Keep electronics and work out of the bedroom.
  • Replace a worn-out mattress or pillow.

Build a Wind-Down Routine

  • Finish dinner at least three hours before bed.
  • Skip alcohol in the evening and caffeine after lunch if it affects your sleep.
  • Spend about an hour winding down, away from stressful or stimulating activities.
  • Try reading in soft light, a warm bath, gentle stretching or deep breathing.

Pay Attention to How You Sleep

An old mattress, an unsupportive pillow or a position that leaves you stiff in the morning can all affect how rested you feel. If you often wake up sore or have ongoing discomfort, our team at Impact Chiropractic is happy to talk through what you’re feeling and help you find next steps. Visit us in Fort Collins, Golden or Cherry Hills Village.

This blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about any concerns with sleep or ongoing symptoms.

Sources

November in Fort Collins: Lights, Makers Markets and Things to Do

by

Fort Collins does November well. Between the downtown lights, the makers markets and Thanksgiving week traditions, there’s a lot to get out and enjoy. Here are some of the events on our calendar.

Early November

  • Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Fri Nov 6. Music starts at 5:30 pm and the ceremony is at 6:30 pm in Old Town Square. The lights stay up until February.
  • First Friday Art Walk, Fri Nov 6. A self-guided gallery walk through downtown.
  • Wildcraft Farmers Market, starting Sat Nov 7. The winter market runs every Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm.
  • Holiday Pottery Market, Nov 7 to 9. Held at Northside Aztlan Community Center.

Makers markets

  • Ace Gillett’s Winter Makers Market, Sat Nov 14.
  • Bath Garden Center Holiday Makers Market, Sat Nov 21.
  • Colorado Makers Market, Nov 28 and 29. Held at Northside Aztlan Community Center.
  • Holiday Makers Market, Sun Nov 29, 12 to 5 pm. At Foothills, 215 E Foothills Pkwy.

Shopping local is a great way to find a gift that is truly one of a kind.

Food and fun

  • Fort Collins Foodie Walk, Fri Nov 20, 5 to 8 pm. A self-guided tasting tour of downtown food shops.
  • NoCo Winter Wonderland, Nov 26 to Dec 31. A drive-thru light show. Tickets are $25 per vehicle and went on sale Nov 1.

Thanksgiving morning

  • Fort Collins Thanksgiving Day Run, Thu Nov 26. A four-mile race at 9 am, with a free kids’ run. Registration closes Nov 22.

Make market day easier on your body

Market days mean a lot of standing and walking, and a lot of carrying. A few habits help:

  • Wear supportive shoes.
  • Carry bags close to your body and switch sides often.
  • Take a short sit break every hour or so.
  • If you’re running the Turkey Trot, warm up with five minutes of easy walking.

How we can help

Impact Chiropractic Fort Collins offers chiropractic care, SoftWave therapy and spinal decompression. If something is nagging at you before the holidays, call (970) 223-5501 or book online. We’re at 3720 S College Ave.

Event details can change. Check each organizer’s page before you go. This article is for education only and is not medical advice.

Sources

Daylight Saving Ends Nov 1: How to Reset Without Feeling Off

by

On Sunday, November 1, clocks fall back an hour. An extra hour of sleep sounds great, but a lot of people still feel off for a few days.

Why it throws us off

Your body likes routine. When the clock changes, your sleep, meals and energy can feel out of sync for a while. And it gets dark earlier, which can affect mood and motivation too.

A gentle plan for this week

  • Wed to Fri: Move your bedtime 10 to 15 minutes earlier each night
  • Saturday: Get outside in the morning light
  • Sunday: Keep your normal wake-up time as much as you can, and avoid a long afternoon nap
  • Next week: Eat dinner a little earlier and dim the lights an hour before bed

Wind-down habits that help

  • Put screens away 30 minutes before bed
  • Keep your room cool, dark and quiet
  • Try slow breathing: in for 4, out for 6
  • Stretch gently before bed

Sleep and your nervous system

When you’re stressed or tired, your body can stay stuck in “go mode.” Chiropractic care focuses on how your spine and nervous system work together, which may help your body feel more relaxed. Everyone is different, and results vary.

When to get help

If trouble sleeping lasts weeks, or comes with pain, talk with your healthcare provider.

This article is for education only and is not medical advice.

Why You Feel Stiffer on Cold Mornings (and What Helps)

by

The first cold snap hits, and suddenly your body feels about 20 years older when you get out of bed. You’re not imagining it.

Why it happens

  • Cold tightens muscles. When it’s chilly, we tend to hunch and tense up.
  • We move less. Shorter days mean fewer walks and more couch time.
  • Sleeping still for hours. Joints and muscles stiffen when they stay in one position all night.
  • Stress and poor sleep. Both can make aches feel louder.

Five minutes before you start your day

  1. Pelvic tilts in bed. Ten slow rocks.
  2. Knees to chest. Hold for 20 seconds.
  3. Cat-cow. Eight slow rounds on hands and knees.
  4. Shoulder rolls. Ten forward, ten back.
  5. A warm drink and a short walk. Even five minutes counts.

Little habits that help

  • Keep your bedroom warm enough that you aren’t curling up tight
  • Layer up before you head outside
  • Take movement breaks if you sit for work
  • Try a warm shower before you stretch

When to get checked

A little stiffness that loosens up after a few minutes is common. If it lasts all morning, keeps coming back, or comes with pain that travels down your leg or arm, it’s worth having someone look at it.

How we can help

  • All locations: chiropractic care
  • Fort Collins and Golden: SoftWave for recovery
  • Fort Collins: Decompression for back and neck pain

This article is for education only and is not medical advice.

Your First Chiropractic Visit: What to Expect

by

If you’ve never been to a chiropractor, it’s normal to feel a little nervous. Most people aren’t sure what will happen, so here’s a simple walkthrough.

Before you come in

  • Wear something comfortable that you can move in
  • Think about what’s bugging you the most, and when it started
  • Bring a list of any medications and past injuries
  • Bring questions. We love questions.

What happens at your visit

  1. A conversation. We start by listening. Where does it hurt? What have you tried? What do you want to be able to do again?
  2. An exam. We look at your posture, how you move, and the area that’s bothering you.
  3. A plan. If chiropractic care looks like a good fit, we explain what we found in plain words and what we’d recommend. If it isn’t a fit, we’ll tell you and point you in the right direction.
  4. Your first adjustment, if appropriate. Nothing happens that you haven’t agreed to first.

Common questions

Does it hurt? Most people describe it as pressure and a feeling of relief. Some feel a little sore afterward, like after a workout.

What’s the popping sound? It’s gas moving in the joint, like when you crack your knuckles. It isn’t bone on bone.

Do I need a referral? Usually not. You can call us directly.

How long will it take? Your first visit is usually longer than the visits after it, because we’re getting to know you.

Ready to start?

Call your local clinic or book online. We’d love to meet you.

This article is for education only and is not medical advice. Individual results vary.