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WHAT MOMS REALLY WANT (IT WON’T COST YOU MUCH)

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May 14th is a day to celebrate all of the special moms in our lives. Like most other holidays, Mother’s day has turned into another day to spend a fortune buying gifts. What if this Mother’s day, we gave our moms a gift that money can’t buy? This Mother’s Day we challenge you to think outside the box; instead of quickly and conveniently buying your mom a gift the night before or stressing about how much money you have to spend, why not create an experience for your mom? Below we have thought up some creative ways to make your mom feel extra special this mother’s day.

1. Cook her dinner

If you live close to your mom this is a cost effective and special way to show your mom she matters. Cooking a meal not only provides time to catch up, it also creates memories for her to cherish with her kids. She will probably remember cooking for you while you were growing up and feel extra special knowing you would take the time out of your busy schedule to show her she is loved and appreciated.

2. Create a scrapbook or video for your mom with old pictures and home videos

Nothing Is sure to make your mom burst with pride (and probably tears) then to take some time to create a walk down memory lane that she can keep coming back to. A great website to use is https://animoto.com/

3. Make some homemade gifts

Put your talent to good use. Are you a writer? An artist? A singer? A craftsman? Do something special for your mom with that talent that you know she loves to brag about anyways.

4. Try a new activity together

Try a cooking class or a craft together. Is there something your mom is interested in that she would love to try? Schedule a pottery making class or a painting class together. https://www.pinotspalette.com/fortcollins, https://www.fcgov.com/recreation/potterystudio.php

5. Take family Pictures

Do you live far away from your mom and need something that withstands the distance? There is nothing your mom will like more than an updated family picture. Get your siblings (or your kiddos) together and take some nice family pictures to send to your mom for Mother’s Day. One excellent photographer we know in Fort Collins is Jessica with Wild Bliss Photography: https://www.wildblissphotography.com/

 

One last idea: you can always give your mom the gift of health with a chiropractic adjustment – we won’t complain about that!

Top 3 Reasons to Visit Your Chiropractor After an Auto Accident

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We can all agree that motor vehicle accidents (MVA’s) are scary and you are often left with a mile long to-do list to get yourself back on the road soon after an auto accident. We realize that it is important to get yourself back on the road soon after but we also want you to think about how incredibly important it is to pay attention to your own body’s needs following a MVA. According to Yale University, it only takes 8.2 mph to cause lasting damage to your musculoskeletal system following a motor vehicle accident, in everyday terms… a fender bender with little to no damage to your vehicle could cause lasting damage to your body! A chiropractic visit should be at the very top of your to-do list following an MVA for this very reason, more specifically within the first 72 hours following an MVA.

WHAT ARE THE 3 MOST IMPORTANT REASONS TO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR FOLLOWING AN MVA?

1. Whiplash is not always obvious: While broken bones and bruises are easy to spot, whiplash is not always apparent in the immediate aftermath of an accident. If you are involved in an accident, your adrenaline levels will spike, which could disguise symptoms of pain and inflammation until your body calms down. It may take a few days for obvious whiplash symptoms like neck pain/stiffness, headaches, blurred vision, and dizziness to occur. A chiropractor uses techniques such as spinal adjustment and special exercises to control damage, minimize pain, and reduce swelling. By seeing this specialist immediately after an accident, you can avoid weeks of pain and discomfort and start the recovery process right away.

2. Acute Injuries lead to Chronic Injuries if not treated:  Ignoring the pain associated with a car accident could lead to long-term damage. Symptoms of whiplash can continue for years if you do not seek treatment, and this chronic condition can lead to emotional anguish to match the physical pain. Another example is if you suffer a minor injury to a joint or bone, you could cause substantial damage in another accident such as a trip and fall incident because your body is in a weakened state already. This weakened state can also lead to early degeneration, especially in weight-bearing joints such as ankles, knees, hips, and the many joints within the spinal column. Seeking chiropractic treatment immediately after a car accident can boost your chances of a full and speedy recovery.

3. Proof for an insurance claim: Although filing a claim is most likely one of the last things you will be thinking about in the immediate aftermath of a car accident, the reality is you may find yourself making one in the short weeks after. Unfortunately, the longer you wait to receive a diagnosis and treatment for your injuries, the harder it is to prove that the injuries stem from the motor vehicle accident. If you visit a chiropractor for treatment relating to the injuries sustained in your accident, it is easier to link those injuries to the incident in the claim.

fort collins chiropractor

Seeing a chiropractor within 72 hours following a motor vehicle accident is incredibly important for diagnosing and treating possible musculoskeletal injuries such as whiplash. Chiropractors are trained and educated in diagnosing these acute injuries and can offer relief of pain and symptoms in addition to saving their patients lots of pain and discomfort in the future. Chiropractic care is also beneficial for proving injury by diagnosis and treatment early after the car accident occurs which can help with future insurance claims. Remember, just because your car is not seriously damaged does not mean your body is not injured, it only takes 8 mph to cause damage to your body!

If you’ve recently been in a car accident, we encourage you to come by our office to get examined and adjusted if needed by our team of doctors who specialize in MVA recovery – your spine will thank you!

The Benefits of Healthy Breakfasts + Ideas

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With the busyness of life in the morning, it can be hard to have time to stop and make yourself something nutritious for breakfast. In the world of breakfast bars and sugary cereal, it can be hard to find good options for yourself or your family for breakfast. Whether you are a student running out the door to class or a parent trying to just get your children fed in the morning, breakfast is without a doubt, the most important meal of the day.

WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS OF BREAKFAST IN THE MORNING?

  • Weight Control: Studies have shown that prolonged fasting associated with skipping breakfast can increase the body’s insulin response which increases fat storage and weight gain. Eating breakfast in the morning boosts your metabolism in the morning and reduces hunger later in the day which will make it easier to avoid overeating. The rule of thumb for maintaining weight or steady weight loss is eating 5-6 nutritious small meals throughout the day rather than eating 2-3 large meals.
  • Increased Energy:  Consuming a healthy breakfast in the morning refuels your body by replenishing the glycogen storage that supplies your muscles with immediate energy throughout the day. Routinely skipping breakfast is associated with decreased physical activity which also affects weight control.
  • Lower LDL Cholesterol Levels: Eating breakfast every morning can help lower LDL cholesterol, also known as the “bad” cholesterol. When you skip breakfast, you are creating a chain reaction within your body: At the beginning, you slow down your metabolism which means fat is stored in your body longer. Then you have a higher tendency to overeat at your next meal because you are overly hungry from skipping breakfast which can cause weight gain and an increase in LDL cholesterol levels.

healthy breakfast ideasWhat are some good options for breakfast foods? Breakfast can be anything you like it to be if the choices are healthy, portioned and include a good balance. Three foods with significant value in nutrition are eggs, whole grains, and berries.

Eggs: These may be one of the best ways to get your morning protein. While eggs are not always associated with weight loss, they contain some of the highest-quality protein and are also one of the few, significant sources of vitamin D, which is important for absorbing calcium for stronger bones. In a study presented at

the 2007 Experimental Biology meeting, researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center compared weight loss in women who ate either two eggs or a bagel for breakfast. The two breakfast meals were identical in calories and volume. Compared to the women who ate bagels, overweight women who ate two eggs for breakfast five times per week for eight weeks as part of reduced calorie, low-fat diet, lost 65% more weight, reduced their weight circumference by 83% and reported higher energy levels.

Whole grains: This super-food is a great source of fiber, which is essential for a healthy heart and digestive tract, and can help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Low in fat and abundant in vitamins and minerals, grains are an essential part of a healthy diet. The most beneficial grains are the whole grains, which should make up at least half of the grains you eat, recommends the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. A good whole grain option for breakfast is whole grain oatmeal.

Berries: Berries are delicious and packed with antioxidants called anthocyanins, which protect your heart and can help with aging. Popular types of berries include blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries. These types of berries are lower in sugar than other fruits and provide an impressive 8 grams of fiber per cup and only contain 50-85 calories depending on the type of berry. Berries have been shown to reduce markers of inflammation, prevent blood cholesterol from becoming oxidized, and keep the cells lining the blood vessels healthy. A delicious way to incorporate berries into your breakfast is to add them to greek yogurt or cottage cheese.

Although it might take a few extra minutes in the morning to prepare a nutritious breakfast it will be worth it in the long run. By fueling your body with healthy foods in the morning you will maintain a healthy weight, have more energy, lower bad cholesterol levels and provide your body with many beneficial vitamins and minerals to better the functions of your body throughout the day.

https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/many-benefits- breakfast#3

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/best- breakfast-for- weight-loss/slide/5

Want more health tips? Check out our full list of health resources to help you and your family live your happiest and healthiest lives!

A BRIEF HISTORY OF EARTH DAY

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Earth Day was founded in 1970 as a day of education about environmental issues and is now a globally celebrated holiday. What is the history of this globally celebrated day?

It began in the early 1960s when Americans were becoming aware of the effects of pollution on the environment. Later in the decade, a 1969 fire on Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River shed light on the problem of chemical waste disposal. Until that time, protecting the planet’s natural resources was not part of the national political agenda, and the number of activists devoted to large-scale issues such as industrial pollution was minimal.  Factories pumped pollutants into the air, lakes, and rivers with few legal consequences. Big, gas-guzzling cars were considered a sign of prosperity and only a small portion of the American population were familiar with–let alone practiced–recycling. Finally, Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1962, Senator Gaylord Nelson was determined to convince the federal government that the planet was at risk.

In 1969, Nelson, considered one of the leaders of the modern environmental movement, developed the idea for Earth Day after being inspired by the anti-Vietnam War “teach-ins” that were taking place on college campuses around the United States. Nelson announced the Earth Day concept at a conference in Seattle in the fall of 1969 and invited the entire nation to get involved. The response from the public was electric and the concept took off like wildfire.

Telegrams, letters and telephone inquiries poured in from all across the country. The American people finally had a forum to express their concern about what was happening to the land, rivers, lakes and air—and they did so with spectacular exuberance.

Since 1970, Earth Day celebrations have grown. In 1990, Earth Day went global, with 200 million people in over 140 nations participating, according to the Earth Day Network (EDN), a nonprofit organization that coordinates Earth Day activities. In 2000, Earth Day focused on clean energy and involved hundreds of millions of people in 184 countries and 5,000 environmental groups. Activities ranged from a traveling, talking drum chain in Gabon, Africa, to a gathering of hundreds of thousands of people at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Today, the Earth Day Network (EDN) collaborates with more than 17,000 partners and organizations in 174 countries. According to EDN, more than 1 billion people are involved in Earth Day activities, making it “the largest secular civic event in the world.” So now that we know the history and how far and wide the celebrations of Earth Day span, how does one celebrate earth day in Fort Collins CO?

Earth Day is best celebrated by doing something beneficial to the environment. The goal of the day is to give the environment a break from waste and pollution. If you work on Saturday, is your work commute close enough to leave the car in the garage and walk or bike to work? Maybe take the Max or public transportation that is close to your house. Why not take the family on a hike at Horsetooth Rock? Take the kids on a walk to the park instead of letting them play on their tablets. While on your walk, maybe take a trash bag and pick up trash along the way? Try something different for Earth Day that benefits your environment as well. Most importantly, make a fun memory with the ones you love, you might just start a new tradition for Earth Day next year! Happy April 22nd friends!

A FEW EVENTS IN FORT COLLINS:

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/earth-day

THE IMPORTANCE OF STRETCHING

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Spring is officially here! One of the most common quotes around this time is “It’s time to hit the gym and get ready for summer”. Although we love to hear our patients’ goals about working on their health, one of the very next things we will hear is “I just started working out and man am I sore!”.  What are some ways to keep sore muscles at a minimum and help you stay progressing at the gym?

When asked how often they stretch; many patients say they either do not stretch or that they stretch for a few minutes before or after their workout. Questions one might ask are: When are the best times to stretch and what types of stretches are best for before and after workouts?

There are actually two types of stretching that are beneficial when working out: dynamic and static. When done at the correct times, these stretches are significant in keeping sore muscles at bay and allowing muscles to warm up and cool down properly.

DYNAMIC STRETCHING

A dynamic stretch is a controlled movement that moves a muscle group fluidly through an entire range of motion and should be done prior to working out. Performing dynamic stretching properly can have a significant benefit to your athletic performance. Dynamic stretching can accomplish many things like increasing blood flow to your muscles, increasing your range of motion and steadily increasing your heart rate for your upcoming workout. Some examples of dynamic stretches are standing cat/camels, walking lunges, heel flicks, or high knees, which help to get your heart rate up and stretch specific groups of muscles.

STATIC STRETCHING

A static stretch is most effective after a workout and is described as stretching a muscle to the full extent of your ability and holding it for 15-30 seconds. This stretch works by elongating the muscle groups that were just exercised during the workout. Static stretches are beneficial for maintaining range of motion and keeping muscle tissue healthy. Some examples of static stretching include hamstring stretch, quadriceps stretch, trunk rotation, and arm and shoulder stretches.

Stretching is one activity that should be done every day of the week, especially static stretching. Dynamic stretching should be done before workouts to “warm up” the muscle groups you will soon work out! Stretching properly before and after workouts can help decrease soreness and when paired with chiropractic care, can prevent future injuries and help with reaching fitness goals.

Chiropractic care helps you reach your goals by adjusting the misalignments throughout the body which slows down healing of the muscles you work out. Chiropractic adjustments along with proper stretching speed up the recovery process of your muscles and help you reach your fitness goals!

For further reading:

https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/how- to-stretch

https://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/types-of- stretches

WORLD HEALTH DAY: DEPRESSION & CHIROPRACTIC CARE

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World Health Day, celebrated on 7 April every year to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO), provides us with a unique opportunity to mobilize action around a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. Every year there is a theme of World Health Day, this year the theme is depression.

natural remedies for depression

Depression does not target any certain group of people but rather, it can affect people of any age, gender, or race. It causes mental anguish and impacts a person’s ability to perform even the simplest of daily tasks and can sometimes cause devastating consequences for relationships with loved ones. Depression not only affects a person’s mood, but can also affect their professional and home life. At worst, depression can lead to suicide which is now the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year old individuals. Depression can be prevented and treated with different holistic therapies including talk therapy nutrition, supplementation, and can even be helped with chiropractic care.

Chiropractic care can help depression by focusing on the first vertebra in the neck known as the atlas bone. The first cervical vertebra is known as the Atlas because it bears the weight of the whole head. When there is a misalignment of the Atlas, the interactive communication between the brain and the rest of the body is disturbed which can lead to a neurological deficit. The anatomy of the spinal column is comparable to a precision mechanism: the slightest shift of the Atlas from its correct anatomical and physiological location can have negative repercussions on the entire musculoskeletal, postural, circulatory and parasympathetic nervous system as well as the body in general. Subluxation of the atlas bone also causes symptoms of ADHD, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and depression.

depression and chiropractic care Since World Health Day is focusing on depression this year, why not let Impact Chiropractic focus on the atlas bone? If you or someone you love is having difficulty with depression don’t hesitate to call and make an appointment today, we would love to help make our world a healthier place!