HEALTH & WELLNESS

SUCKING OUT LIFE

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“JUST LIKE LIQUID MOVING THROUGH A STRAW, THE ENERGY OF LIFE FLOWS FROM YOUR BRAIN THROUGH YOUR NERVE SYSTEM AND PERMEATES EVERY PART OF YOUR BODY.  THE MORE “OPEN” AND UNRESTRICTED YOUR NERVE PATHWAYS ARE, THE EASIER LIFE ENERGY FLOWS AND THE HEALTHIER YOU’LL BE.

SUBLUXATIONS (MISALIGNED SPINAL BONES) SQUEEZE NERVES AND RESTRICT THE FLOW OF LIFE ENERGY.  THE EFFECT IS LIKE TRYING TO SUCK FLUID THROUGH A TWISTED STRAW.  SURE YOU MAY GET A TRICKY THROUGH, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE YOUR DRINKING EXPERIENCE VERY COMFORTABLE.  WHEN SUBLUXATIONS CONSTRICT NERVE PATHWAYS, LIFE ENERGY FLOWS AT A WEAKER RATE, MAKING EVERYDAY TASKS, JOB AND EXPERIENCES MORE DIFFICULT.”

The above statement was taken from https://theweeklysticky.com/sucking-life/

AT IMPACT CHIROPRACTIC, WE AGREE WITH THIS ANALOGY.  YOUR NERVES CONTROL EVERYTHING IN YOUR BODY, AND IF THERE IS A “TWISTED NERVE” IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR IT TO COMMUNICATE PROPERLY.  YOUR BODY WILL STILL WORK IF ITS TWISTED, BUT THINK OF HOW GOOD IT WILL WORK IF ALL OF YOUR NERVES ARE COMPLETELY OPENED UP! THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS: LESS FATIGUE, IMPROVED DIGESTION, STRONGER IMMUNE SYSTEM, BETTER MUSCLE TONE!

Natural Remedies for Hypothyroidism

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Feeling fatigued, stressed out? Do you notice that you’ve also been gaining weight for no apparent reason?  Constantly depressed and can’t get yourself out of this feeling?  These may be signs that you have hypothyroidism.

Over 20 million Americans have problems with how their thyroid is working.  Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid is under-active and hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid is over-active. All hormones in your body work in sync with one another and need to have a delicate balance.

When looking into the thyroid function we recommend getting your thyroid levels checked, and specifically ask for T3, T4, Reverse T3, Antithyroglobulin Antibody (TG) & Antithyoidperozidase Antibody (TPO).  These are all important to truly know how your thyroid hormones are working with one another.  If you do have an imbalance, instead of only taking synthetic hormone replacement medications, try some of these natural remedies.

essential oils for hypothyroidism

Top 10 Natural Hypothyroidism Remedies

  1. Ashwagandha (500 mg/day) – Helps lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels and balances T4 (thyroid hormone) levels
  2. Iodine (150-300 mcd/day) – Helps to resolve thyroid dysfunction.  Do not take if you have Hashimoto’s disease.
  3. Selenium (200 mcg/day) – is vital for the production of T3 (thyroid) hormone, get this through the food you eat.  A great source of selenium is Brazil nuts.
  4. L-tyrosine (500 mg 2x/day) – amino acid necessary for production of numerous thyroid hormones
  5. Fish Oil (1,000 mg/day) – essential fatty acids critical for the functioning of the thyroid
  6. Vitamin B Complex (1 complex capsule/day) – Especially B12 & thiamine are important for neurological function and balancing hormones
  7. Probiotic Supplements (50 billion CFU/serving) – Help to heal the gut and aid in nutrient absorption, necessary to properly take in your vitamins/minerals
  8. Frankincense essential oil – helps increase function of the thyroid gland, can rub directly onto the lower part of your neck
  9. Lemongrass and Myrrh essential oils (2-4 drops) – Mix them together, and can also rub directly onto the lower part of your neck
  10. Conservative Care – nutritional therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic all have benefits for relieving hormonal imbalances.

At Impact Chiropractic in Fort Collins, we help people with all sorts of health conditions find balanced hormones & their healthiest bodies. Book an appointment today to start your journey to wellness!

TOP FORT COLLINS INDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

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Happy Winter Solstice!!  With the cold weather, comes “bored” kids.  They feel like they’re stuck inside with nothing to do, especially during winter break and time away from school.  Below we’ll discuss what not to do, and some better options for your kids during these winter months.

What not to do with your kiddos this winter:

TV watching: It is a passive activity and does not allow for exercise or socialization. It is recommended that kids over the age of 2 watch no more than 2 hours per day, and kids under 2 shouldn’t be put in front of a television at all.

Video games: Even though there are more interactive games out there today, this is still not a good option.  Video games can lead to increased attention problems in children.

Shopping:  Usually kids don’t want to go to the store with you.  For them it means long lines, lots of people, and seeing a lot of items that mom and dad say “no” to.  This can cause temper tantrums and unneeded stress for the parents.

Some ideas to do at home instead:

Play in the snow, bundle them up and build a snow fort or a snow man.  Let them be creative and use their imagination.

Look at “Pinterest” for some craft inspiration and try out a few, this will keep their hands and brains busy.

Cook healthy meals, let your kids do most of the work.  They will feel needed and also provide them with good nutrition.

Write your own stories and act them out with the kiddos.  This helps develop language and personal skills.

If you’re feeling the need to get out of the house, here is Impact’s list of “Top Fort Collins Indoor Activities for Kids.”  Check them out yourself:

Museum of Discovery:  Head to the museum for a day of science, history and culture. The “Music & Sound Lab” is one of our personal favorites, besides the animal vertebra of course.  Kids (3-12) get in for $6, and FREE admission for kiddos under 2!! Adults prices are $9.50.  It’s a fairly inexpensive way to get your kiddos brains working.

 

Cool Beans:  Try out an indoor playground for kids under the age of 8.  Fees vary from FREE to babies under 9 months, up to $6 for kids over the age of 1.  While the kids play, you can eat lunch and even have a great cup o’ joe.

 

 

Poudre River Public Library:  Choose from 1 of 3 locations around town.: Old Town, Harmony, or Council Tree.  Each facility has great areas for kiddos to read and play.  Story time is offered at various times throughout the day, check their website for current times.  https://www.poudrelibraries.org

 

FlyHigh:  This is something for the older kids.  This trampoline park has it all: foam pits, basketball hoops, dodgeball.  This will get them moving, but use your best judgement at this fun park.  Most injuries happen to adults at trampoline parks, kids “bounce back” literally more quickly than their parents do.

Make sure safety is always a priority; and if something happens call Impact – your favorite Fort Collins Chiropractor!

10 REASONS TO VISIT YOUR CHIROPRACTOR DURING THE HOLIDAYS (THE FIRST 5)

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1. TRAVEL

The holiday season is the busiest time of year for most people.  Whether you are traveling by car, plane, or train, traveling can cause extra stress to your life.  Sitting for extended periods of time can cause your body to be stiff and your muscles to tighten.  Lifting heavy suitcases can cause low back pain.  Sleeping on air mattresses or uncomfortable couches can put a “kink” into your neck.  Chiropractors can help ease your body out of pain and get you back to feeling like yourself again.

2. STRESS

Family time is wonderful, but it can also be stressful.  Trying to make every event on your family’s holiday calendar can be daunting and cause you to get stressed out.  When you mentally get stressed out, your body may respond with tense muscles, headaches, insomnia, and even stomach pains.  Chiropractic is a wonderful way shift your mindset towards positive thoughts and can get your mind and body healthy again.

3.  BAD WEATHER

Weather in Colorado is unpredictable.  Today as I am writing this, the snowfall totals are over 10 inches for Fort Collins.  Snowy conditions not only cause car accidents, but they can also cause slips and falls.  Hopefully, these instances don’t happen to you; a car slides into you, you rear-end someone at a stop light, or you slip on your driveway.  Pain may not develop immediately but can result hours or days after.  If these unfortunate events do happen, it is important to get checked by a chiropractor right away.

4. SHOVELING

Going along with the snowy conditions that are likely to happen around the holidays, comes the clean-up of such weather.  The snow must go somewhere, and someone has to move it.  Shoveling can cause flare ups to already existing pain, but it can also cause new pains.  You may not be using proper form as you lift incredibly heavy snow with your plastic shovel.  Make sure that your shovel is the correct length for your body, and is sturdy enough to help you lift the snow.

5. DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS

The holiday season does not get a good reputation for being the healthiest time of the year.  Heavy, dense meals are common and sweet treats are the norm.  With an increase in these comfort foods, many of us tend to not get enough fruits and vegetables into our diet.  Without a proper amount of fruits and vegetables, your digestive system will begin to slow down.  Chiropractic can help maintain proper digestion by freeing up misalignments in your spine, allowing the nerves to properly get to your digestive tract to keep things on schedule.

 

Want to learn more? Check out part two of this blog series to see 5 more reasons you can benefit from a trip to the chiropractor this holiday season!

IS STRESS RAISING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE?

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Does chiropractic care help stress? 
Does chiropractic care help stress?

Entering early adulthood can be stressful.  Work, bills, and home-life all change and begin to take a toll on your body.  This added stress load is also associated with developing high blood pressure later on in life.

Another piece of the unfortunate puzzle with blood pressure is its association with childhood obesity and being overweight at a young age. A research study was done comparing young males with healthy BMIs and stressful lives against young males with high BMIs and stressful lives.  The study showed that the men with high BMIs were three times more likely to have high blood pressure later on in life.

Chiropractic care can help you deal with the stressors of everyday life.  Stress in good in small amounts, but long term can have negative effects on your body.  Chiropractic adjustments stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, or in simpler terms, your break pedal system. This break pedal is where we want you to be for most of your everyday life.  This is where you rest, digest, heal, and grow.  Stimulating this part of your nervous system will help to decrease stress on your body, and also help you cope with everything that comes your way.

ANTIBIOTIC USE AND GUT HEALTH

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When illness strikes your household, often people will go to their medical doctor.  Illnesses are tricky and a lot of them present with similar symptoms with different sources (viral or bacterial). Many times you will be prescribed an antibiotic, and not always told to take a probiotic at the same time.  Antibiotics MUST always be taken with probiotics.  Bacteria in your gut are extremely important and regulates how your body functions.  Below is an excerpt about bacteria’s role in the human body, written by Marcey Shapiro, MD, from Transforming the Nature of Health: A Holistic Vision of Healing That Honors Our Connection the the Earth,Others, and Ourselves: 

IMMUNE SUPPORT:

About seventy percent of our immune system is located in the digestive tract. “Probiotic” bacteria enhance many of the functions of the immune system, acting independently as an adjunct to our cells’ immune system.

DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION OF FOODS:

The digestion of certain foods, especially carbohydrates, is facilitated by the friendly organisms of the small intestine. The foods we eat nourish their colonies. All we take in, whether food or thought, is important for determining the health of internal bacterial colonies. Each type of bacteria has its favorite diet. The kinds of bacteria most associated with vibrant health thrive upon naturally fermented foods like sauerkraut, miso, yogurt, and kefir, as well as certain fats and animal foods including saturated fats. They also require some types of fiber found in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. They do best when we are calm, happy, and relaxed.

BARRIER TO PATHOGENIC BACTERIA:

Healthy bacteria crowd out the unwelcome visitors. When beneficial microbes that evolved along with our GI tracts colonize this region, there is not much space available for imbalanced flora to take hold. Bacteria also secrete chemical mediators that support their own species and others with whom they are harmonious. These same chemical mediators suppress bacteria that are incompatible.

PREVENTION OF ALLERGIES:

Beneficial bacteria teach the immune system to distinguish between the antigens of harmless and helpful flora and foods, and potentially dangerous ones. Allergies are a type of over-sensitivity. During an allergy, the body overreacts, sensing harm in things that are not innately harmful. The presence of flourishing colonies of beneficial bacteria decreases the incidence of allergies.

MANUFACTURE OF VITAMINS:

There is evidence that healthy forms of E. coli manufacture vitamin K in the human intestinal tract. In some animals, vitamin B12 is manufactured by intestinal flora. Humans, however, must consume this vitamin from animal food sources.

ELIMINATION OF TOXINS:

Probiotic bacteria eat many of our waste products, breaking them down to component nutrients. These are recycled. What is not used is eliminated within the feces.
Stimulation of tissues: Probiotic bacteria are essential for normal development of the intestinal tract. Certain tissues like the lymphoid Peyer’s patches of the intestinal tract, and the entire large intestine, require the presence of healthy bacteria for growth and maturation.
Prevention of disease: Imbalanced and reduced numbers of healthy flora are found in people with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. There are also imbalances observed in most people with irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, eczema, and autoimmune illnesses. ”

Keeping your body healthy is a goal for many people.  If your body is unable to perform at its best, sicknesses are likely to thrive.  Your body should be able to fend off incoming viral or bacterial infections, but sometimes the organs responsible for immune function can’t keep up. If the nervous system is inhibited and doesn’t allow proper innervation to the immune organs, they can’t do their job properly.  Keep yourself healthy by making an appointment, and make sure your immune system is working its best to fend off those illnesses.  Let’s get to the point where we don’t have to reach for the antibiotics, and instead call the chiropractor and take your probiotics!

HEALTHY SPINE = HEALTHY NERVOUS SYSTEM = HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM

The excerpt above can be found in its original format at https://ahha.org/friendly-bacteria-2/