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Littleton Chiropractor Talks About Sciatica
Sciatica is one of the most common types of pain- 40% of the entire population will experience it at least once in their lifetime! Factors like age, obesity, health conditions such as diabetes, and prolonged sitting can make the pain feel worse.

Suppose you have been dealing with sciatica for quite a long time. Maybe you don’t want to take painkillers or undergo surgery. In these cases, you should consider the non-invasive alternative of chiropractic in Littleton, CO. Gentle, specific chiropractic care can get to the underlying problem with sciatica.

Sciatica refers to the pain that goes along the sciatic nerve’s path and radiates from your lower back to your hips and buttocks and down your leg. It usually affects only one side of the body.

These symptoms may mean you have sciatica:
- If you have pain in your lower back
- The pain also shoots down one side of the back of your legs.
- The problem feels worse when you sit or stand, and improves when you are laying down.
- The characteristic of the pain is burning or tingling.
- You feel weakness in the affected leg or an electric shock down the leg.
Chiropractic Care For Sciatica in Littleton CO

Chiropractic care can help your body heal with non-invasive, drug-free treatment options, and provide some relief for Sciatica pain. Our gentle treatment will improve your symptoms while decreasing your reliance on painkillers and reducing the side effects. Here’s how our team can help you improve your quality of life.

Provide a Proper Diagnosis

Even if you have all the signs and symptoms of sciatica, you need to wait until a healthcare professional diagnoses your condition and determines its cause.

Our chiropractor will review your medical history and perform an exhaustive physical and neurological examination to create the diagnosis. We use state-of-the-art nervous system scans that help us pinpoint the underlying cause of the problem. Then, we will determine which treatment option is the best for you.

Our service is based on gentle chiropractic care, and these are some of the treatment options we offer:

Heat and Cold Therapy

Heat and cold therapy can help to promote the healing process. Ice works to decrease swelling and inflammation, while heat improves flexibility. When both are combined, they will relax your muscle and joints and reduce inflammation, which will produce better results in repairing damaged tissue. The chiropractor will decide whether to use heat or cold or both to provide the best results.

Red Light Therapy

It involves using a medical-grade red light therapy device that emits specific red light wavelengths to promote healing on a cellular level. It increases blood flow in the treated area, reduces pain and inflammation, and reduces the tissue’s healing time.

Massage Chairs

Our patients find relief using our specialized massage chairs. They are specifically designed to provide a relaxing stimulation in the deep tissue.

Since patients with sciatica deal with back and leg pain, standard massage chairs can not target a person’s legs. Our clinic uses an innovative model that will provide additional benefits to the traditional massage technique and give you a wonderful therapeutic experience.

The benefits you will experience by using the massage chair depends on the underlying cause of sciatica. Muscular pain conditions respond better than spinal conditions like spinal osteoarthritis.

Specific Exercises

The chiropractic doctor will recommend exercises that you can perform to relieve the pain and get rid of sciatica. Without proper training, the spinal structure and back muscles become deconditioned and worsen the problem. The chiropractor will help you perform the exercise to release the pressure that comes from tight muscles. Active movement is essential for the health of the spinal discs.

KST Adjustment

This technique is what makes us unique and different. It is an innovative chiropractic adjustment technique that uses an adjusting device called an ArthroStim. Using the ArthroStim, our chiropractor can provide a precise adjustment without twisting, cracking, or popping. This technique provides immediate results for the affected areas, stimulates your body’s healing power, and it works for patients of all ages.

Change of Habits

Care of sciatica has to be part of your daily life and not just something you do twice a week. The chiropractor will help you have a proper posture and minimize daily stress on your lower back. This instruction will include learning how to sit, stand, and lift appropriately without putting too much pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Gentle Chiropractic Care in Littleton CO

A long time patient came into our Littleton chiropractic clinic with severe sciatic pain. He was in so much pain we had to help him into the clinic from his car. After gingerly getting him into the office, he explained he had a major flair up after lifting a heavy object.

After just a few visits, he was able to walk normally, and his pain reduced significantly. We continued to treat him to make sure that the healing process was complete. He no longer has sciatic pain and is so grateful that he addressed the issue’s underlying cause.

At our clinic, we have treated many patients who have had trouble walking in the door due to extreme pain. Then, after treatment, they walk out with significant improvements. Chiropractic can be a powerful and effective treatment for sciatica. Don’t live with pain- find out how we can help and improve your quality of life!
October 26, 2020
How To Prevent Falls in Littleton CO

One of the scariest events that can happen to older adults is falling. As a chiropractor, I see people coming into my Littleton, CO chiropractic office after suffering injuries from falling. Knowing how to prevent falls as you age can save your life. Keep reading for some simple ways to keep yourself upright and healthy.

Did you know that more than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling? Hip fractures significantly increase your chance of death. Statistics show that 1 in 3 adults over the age of fifty dies within twelve months of a hip fracture.

This mortality rate is a scary statistic, especially when we know that nearly 30% of adults over the age of sixty-five fall every year. What can you do to keep yourself from falling as you age?

Six Ways to Prevent Falls

Physically Active-

We know that motion is life. Regular exercise is critical in keeping yourself healthy and balanced. Strong muscles keep you upright. Strength training keeps tendons, ligaments, and joints pliable.

Have Your Eyes and Hearing Tested-

Your sight and hearing play a significant role in balance and coordination. Ensuring that you are up to date on your eye and hearing exams will help these senses work optimally. Even small changes in eyesight or hearing may lead to falls.

Stand Up Slowly-

When you stand up too fast, it can cause reduced blood to your brain, causing you to feel light-headed. This feeling is due to a drop in blood pressure when standing quickly. Make sure to get your blood pressure checked, both standing and lying down.

Wear Shoes That Support Your Feet-

You want to wear shoes that have a good solid base and support around your foot. Your shoe’s soles can not be too thick or thin. Your shoes should give your feet support. Also, be very careful with slippers or other slip-on shoes with smooth soles; these types of shoes can be fall hazards. One more quick note, socks on stairs or hardwood floors are also hazardous.

Keep Your Bones Strong-

Making sure you have the building blocks to repair and grow strong bones is critical. You need to get enough calcium and vitamin D to keep your bones strong and healthy. Other ways that may decrease bone density is smoking or drinking too much alcohol. Limit the use of these substances will reduce the chance of bone loss and fractures.

Keep Your Spine Aligned-

Chiropractic care can not only help keep proper motion in your spine, but it will also keep your nervous system connected. Your nervous system controls your balance. Gentle, specific chiropractic adjustment help optimize your nerve system function. Keep your spine aligned, and you will feel fine, and it will keep you from falling.

Conclusion on how to prevent falls-

Falling can be deadly, especially as you get older. To prevent falls, exercise to stay strong, keep your eyes and ears healthy, don’t stand up too quickly, wear supportive footwear, eat well for bone density, and get adjusted. All of these ideas will help you stay upright and well.

October 22, 2020
Are You Choosing a Safe Multivitamin?

Are you choosing a safe multivitamin? We rely on multivitamins and other supplements to provide nutrients that we are not getting from our diets, so choosing the right multivitamin is incredibly important.

The overflowing supplement shelves in supermarkets and health food stores do not make this task any easier. These supplements are often generic vitamins that don’t offer much nutritional value and are not very high quality. This problem makes it even more important to choose a high-quality vitamin and know how it is processed.

How Does Your Multivitamin Stack Up?

Learning how to choose the right and safe multivitamin for you can involve some work and research. First, you should look at the ingredients in the vitamin you are considering…but do you know what to look for? By glancing at all the labels on the vitamins, many can look the same. However, the vitamins you find at the supermarket and health food stores often use cheap, synthetic ingredients that are not absorbed by the body very well and are usually stuffed with fillers that do nothing for your health. At best, these ingredients lack nutritional value and, at worst, are harmful to your health!

You may think picking up supplements at a pharmacy or bix-box store would get you a good quality supplement. Think again! These, too, are usually filled with cheap ingredients, fillers, and sometimes even artificial ingredients. These will not deliver high-quality, bioavailable vitamins to your body.

Quality Matters In Safe Multivitamins

Different vitamins have different formulations and are complex chemical compounds and minerals. High-quality vitamins are those that include micronutrients that are effective and bioavailable. Figuring out the quality of vitamins usually involves some research and maybe even some digging. It consists of looking at the raw ingredients, where the ingredients are sourced, and how they are processed. You should also learn a bit about the company that makes the vitamins and their standards. These things all make a big difference when it comes to finding a quality and safe multivitamin.

It can take a lot of time and effort to go through all this information, as usually, it is not easily found on the bottle or the company’s website. Let us help you with this! We have already done all the digging and vetting for the company we recommend, Xymogen. Xymogen’s ActivNutrients is their multivitamin that we recommend. We also include some of the things to look for, specifically when you choose a vitamin.

Vitamin B12

Avoid Cyanocobalamin: This is a synthetic form of Vitamin B12 and made from cyanide! Many manufacturers use it because it is cheap, but it is also poorly absorbed.

To read more about Vitamin B12 and Cyanocobalamin, check out Why Do Vitamin B12 Supplements Contain Cyanide?

Look For Methylcobalamin: This form is not made with cyanide and is better absorbed, especially if you have an MTHFR gene mutation.

Folate (Vitamin B9)

Avoid Folic Acid: This form is not absorbed well. In addition, many people have the MTHFR gene mutation, which prevents an enzyme from working. This enzyme is needed to break down this vitamin properly.

Look For Methylfolate (5-methyltetrahydrofolate): This is absorbed by the body well, even for those with the MTHFR gene mutation.

Magnesium

Avoid: Some multivitamins do contain magnesium; however, not enough. This is because magnesium is bulky, so adding the correct dosage to the vitamin would make it too big. For this reason, it is best to supplement with magnesium separately.

Look For Chelated Magnesium: This form is bioavailable. Magnesium has many, many benefits in the body, and most people are deficient.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Avoid: This should not be included in your multivitamin. It is best to take this separately. Many fish oils contain heavy metals and pesticides. Furthermore, some are hard to digest, giving you a “fishy” aftertaste/breath.

Look For: A high-quality fish oil with responsible and clean sourcing without the toxins the cheap brands have. Look for a product that is easily and fully absorbed. Omega MonoPure has been proven in tests to be 3x more absorbable and is a very well-sourced and clean product.

Conclusion of Choosing a Safe Multivitamin

These are some tips and tricks to help you find a safe multivitamin and generally the best supplements. Taking high-quality supplements that are well formulated makes a huge difference!

If you don’t want to go through all the time and trouble to vet the supplements yourself, don’t worry! We have already done a deep dive into Xymogen’s products and have found that they meet the highest standards. In addition, they have very synergistic formulas and patented formulas you won’t find anywhere else. All of their products are highly bioavailable and are processed carefully, preserving their potency. You can check out their products here.

If you have any questions or would like to find a personalized supplement program for you, please give us a call at 303-794-1737 or schedule an appointment here.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy:

What Is Functional Nutrition?

Natural Immune System Modulators

October 21, 2020
Was The Lockdown Worth It

Was the lockdown worth it? Now that we are six months into Covid-19, what does the data say about how we handled this pandemic? If you remember way back in April when Governor Polis issued the statewide “Stay at Home” mandate.

What was the goal of this mandate? It was to flatten the curve and not overwhelm the medical system with cases.

Experts said flattening the curve would not change the number of deaths in the United States. It would just slow the severe cases enough not to overwhelm hospitals. That means that the area under the curve is the same no matter what we did to lockdown.

In July, our Governor decided to issue a statewide mask mandate even though the CDC reported that in a meta-analysis, the evidence was minimal at best that masks prevent the spread of a virus.

The only way I could objectively look at the lockdown and masking mandates’ effectiveness is to compare a country that didn’t do strict lockdown or have any mask mandates at all. In this article and video, we are comparing the United States to Sweden.

Before we jump into the comparison, we need to look at a few ideas that have been a part of epidemiology for a long time. In the 1800s, there was a prominent epidemiologist named William Farr. He proved that epidemic infections follow a standard bell curve distribution. This means that infections will spike, and then after some lag time, deaths from that infection will spike at a lesser level. This idea is known as Farr’s law and is well established in the field of epidemiology.

Dr. Farr also stated that the only data that is a fact is deaths. All other data is just inference. This means that we can only guess how infectious the virus is and how it will affect an individual. Even in our modern times, we don’t test every individual every time we have an epidemic. It is hard to know how virulent a specific germ is when you don’t know how many people have caught the bug but did not show any symptoms.

Another doctor who spent years looking into epidemic influenza was R.E. Hope-Simpson. He wrote a paper talking about flu seasonality, like the current coronavirus. He hypothesized in his article, “The role of season in the epidemiology of influenza” that flu viruses affect more people during fall/winter and less during summer months.

Understanding Farr’s Law and the flu seasonality will help explain what we see when comparing the US to Sweden. In the graphs, you will see how it follows Farr’s Law and Hope-Simpson’s diagrams.

At the time of the interview I did with Dr. Scott Hourigan, the US had 621 deaths per 1 million people. That number is increasing weekly. Sweden, on the other hand, had 581 deaths per 1 million people. Sweden’s number has been relatively steady, only increasing by 1 or 2 every few weeks.

Here is what you need to know, the US did significant lockdowns and mask mandates, and some states are still observing those mandates. The US shut down schools, events, and a lot of businesses.

Sweden, on the other hand, recommended social distancing and voluntary reduction of the capacity of businesses. They only sent home the high school and college-aged students. All younger students stayed in school and are currently still attending school. They had no mask mandates, and most Swedes did not wear masks.

With the significant difference in approaches, you can see that the deaths are about the same. However, the US sees more deaths at this point than Sweden is when averaged to population size.

And if we look at this logically, the essential workers in the United States, such as grocery stores, hardware stores, and healthcare workers, did not see spikes in deaths. How can a grocery store worker who works indoors and is exposed to hundreds, if not thousands of people, when they work not see a spike in severe cases or deaths from this virus? It just doesn’t make sense.

We know the US and worldwide lockdowns had a significant impact on economies and mental health of the citizens subjected to the lockdowns. In the US, the CDC reported a 41% increase in mental health issues. There was a rise in suicides, domestic violence, and health problems related to addiction and other mental health issues.

As far as the economy goes, there is a great website called Clever Maps that shows how this pandemic affected the economy. According to the World Bank, the US had a 17.6% economic loss compared to Sweden’s 8.3% loss. The whole world’s economy was affected by this pandemic, but as you can see, Sweden to much less of a hit than the US who mandated lockdowns.

So was it worth doing the lockdowns in the US? Some will argue that it prevented a lot of deaths. But as we stated earlier, even the experts said lockdowns wouldn’t reduce the area under the curve, meaning deaths. It will only flatten the curve. There were and are a lot of economic and mental health issues directly related to the lockdown.

Sweden handled things differently and didn’t have as severe consequences when looking at their economy and mental health issues. Maybe allowing this virus to run its natural course would have been a better option in the US as well.

I guess only time will tell. This much we do know human-made solutions will never stop a virus from spreading. It will only lengthen the time of its spread and have other unintended consequences.

October 20, 2020
A Guide on How to Decrease Anxiety in High Stress Times
In these abnormal times, the majority of people can’t help feeling a degree of anxiety. The conditions now require that we coop ourselves inside our homes most of the time, which takes a toll on our mental state. The future is uncertain, and folks don’t like it when they can’t clearly anticipate what’s in store for them and their family. But there are some activities and methods that you have control over, and you can immediately execute to help yourself in the middle of turbulence. Read more to find out how to decrease anxiety in high-stress times.

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR YOURSELF TO DECREASE ANXIETY?

We know that decreasing your anxiety especially in high-stress times is needed for your health. Set aside some “Me time” every day to transcend all the anxiety you have been feeling lately. Here are some ideas you can use today to help reduce stress and anxiety.

Box Breathing Method

Breathing is always a tried and true method, try the proven Box Breathing Method. You can do this in the comfort of your home.
1. While closing your eyes, breathe in through your nose and, at the same time, slowly count to 4. You can feel the air entering your lungs.
2. After counting to 4, hold your breath. Don’t clamp your nose or mouth shut. Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
3. Then slowly exhale for 4 seconds.
4. Again hold your breath after exhaling for 4 seconds.
5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 at least three times, and ideally, this breathing should be repeated for 4 minutes or until a feeling of calm envelopes you.
If you don’t have 4 minutes, even one round can help.

Media Break

You can also take a media break. It helps to reduce or even eliminate the buzz of news and social media. When you cut this type of media out of your life it helps. You will realize that they are triggers of your anxiety.

Another simple and easy way to reduce stress and anxiety is always to be hydrated. Hydration with water and no sugary drinks. Also, eat only healthy food. It is amazing how something as simple as drinking adequate amounts of water daily can help all body functions. Add in getting sufficient sleep, and you will be surprised at how much your anxiety and stress will diminish.

If you want to find out more about specific supplements that boost immune system function, check out this article- HOW TO KEEP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM HEALTHY DURING CHALLENGING TIMES

WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU TO HELP ANXIETY?

The DIY methods above are things you can do to decrease anxiety in high-stress times. Please share this with your loved ones in these stressful times. But how about blending them in with proven effective scientific and medical procedures. These procedures can apply to you through physical, electronic, and physiological means. They can get you back on track to everyday life by alleviating your anxiety with tested methods:

CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS

We are thrilled when patients happily share with us that their anxiety level has significantly decreased after adjusting their spine. Reconnecting your nervous system helps greatly. Do you know that when your spinal column is functioning and moving at an optimal level, nerve impulses flow seamlessly and speedily through its communication paths? When your spinal vertebrae are misaligned, your spine cannot move through its full range of motion, causing overstimulation, which is when anxiety is triggered. Research shows that chiropractic adjustments can reduce muscle activity and relax a person. How good will you feel when your nervous system is functioning optimally due to periodic chiropractic adjustments? You will find our chiropractic techniques are distinctively different, unique, and very gentle.

NEUROFEEDBACK

It is also known as EEG (electroencephalogram) biofeedback. It is an electronic therapeutic intervention that gives you immediate data from computer software that evaluates a patient’s brainwave activity. We can read problems with brainwave irregularity. They are numerous, and they include anything within the anxiety and depression spectrum, behavior disorders, sleep disorders, attention deficiency, migraines and headaches, emotional disturbance, and PMS. We then use visual or sound signals to realign or reprogram these brain signals. This method has been effective in lowering anxiety levels dramatically in a lot of patients, especially during high-stress times.

FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION

We know what you put into your body affects what happens in your body. What happens includes your mental/emotional health. Functional nutrition is our personalized method of making you reach optimal health and fitness level based on your personal and historical genetics, laboratory results, lifestyle, and many more relevant data. We provide you with customized nutritional recommendations, according to lab work. The bloodwork assesses your nutrition needs and proposes changes that you need to alter in the way you live your life. However, to work, functional nutrition requires you to be a reliable partner who follows our recommendations so that your anxiety and worries will go away.

CONCLUSION TO DECREASE ANXIETY IN HIGH-STRESS TIMES

There are many things you can do to decrease your anxiety in high-stress times. Your anxiety is either based on reality or could a self-fulling prophecy. Either way, it disturbs your usual way of life and distracts you from proceeding day to day and being productive to your maximum potential.

We have discussed a potent blend of DIY methods that you can manage to do yourself in your home’s comfort. And the professional assistance that our chiropractic, neurofeedback, and functional nutrition services can do to alleviate and eventually eliminate your anxiety issues.

Give us a call, and we can work out a program that’s right for you. Take action. It might just be the most significant and wisest decision you have made in your life!
October 20, 2020
7 Things to Consider when Choosing a Family Chiropractor
Have you ever felt like you lack the energy or fitness to complete your day, even when it seems like your body is perfectly healthy? The problem might lie in your spine and nervous system. That is why it is so important to choose the right chiropractor for your family.

Remember that everything starts with the top, your mind, and the brain. Your brain has to send energy down your spinal cord and out the nerves to every tissue and organ in your body for you to be happy and healthy.

When restrictions are impeding this flow, it’s time to call a family chiropractor to get things aligned again.

What Is a Chiropractor?

Chiropractic care helps with your nervous system function along with the musculoskeletal system. This system includes our bones, tendons, cartilages, muscles, and joints. This includes your spine!

Your spine has two primary functions: 1. Protects your spinal cord, and 2. keeps you upright. We know that keeping you upright is your posture. Protecting your spinal cord helps protect the nerves that go to your organs and gives you mobility.

If you suffer from issues concerning this system, you may need chiropractic care. They can gently adjust your spine to help relieve pain. Most chiropractors focus on adjusting and realigning the spine and joints.

Many may also do deep tissue work, targeting the muscles and tendons. Chiropractic care is not a substitute for conventional medical treatment. It is one element that can help improve a patient’s overall health.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

With this form of physical care, you get a personalized treatment. Professionals assess a patient’s condition before recommending a plan to help their conditions. Because every patient is an individual, each patient receives different treatments with every visit.

Chiropractic care is also non-invasive. There is a lower risk of issues compared to more invasive treatments like surgery. Many studies show that chiropractic care is less likely to cause long-term side effects.

Finally, many patients feel immediate relief after an appointment. This form of care helps to lift pressure from muscles and nerves. It can help with chronic pain, mobility, and coordination.

Check the Credentials

Chiropractic care is a professional form of health care. Before booking an appointment, check your provider’s credentials. Proper licensure is an essential factor when choosing a family chiropractor.

A license is proof of professional training, skills, and experience. Check for the medical school, training hospitals, and certification. Ensure that your chiropractor has no history of malpractice or disciplinary actions.

Most providers have websites. Check their information to see if this is the right clinic for you. You may list down questions to ask for when you book your first appointment.

Ask For Referrals

Ask your doctor for a referral to a good clinic. You can also ask for recommendations from friends and family. Getting feedback from a trusted figure helps you assess your options.

Consider checking reviews online when looking for a good chiropractic clinic. You may find reviews and get insight into a clinic by searching it on Google. Make sure you choose a clinic that you can trust with your health and wellness.

Determine Their Experience

It’s crucial to determine a chiropractor’s experience before booking an appointment. A more skilled chiropractor can give you a better chiropractic experience. A good chiropractor can provide you with effective treatment.

A good chiropractor must have all the necessary skills in giving different treatment techniques. When choosing a chiropractor, they must also have good communication skills. Getting all the information enables them to understand the needs of a patient.

Each body has its own needs and approaches. A proper plan follows after good communication. A chiropractor must be able to provide the necessary information to their patient.

Find Out If They Offer Other Forms Of Therapy

Some clinics may offer other complementary treatments. These treatments may include nutrition, massage, and neurofeedback. Having all of these available in one spot can save you time and stress.

These therapies combined can help you achieve overall health. If your treatment plan includes additional therapy, your clinic can provide it for you. It may give you some peace of mind knowing that you have many options.

Check With Your Insurance

Your insurance coverage is a practical step in choosing the best family chiropractor. You may need to choose a chiropractor who can participate in your plan. This allows you to enjoy your insurance benefits and pay less.

Insurance coverage may vary per situation. Most plans only cover acute and short-term conditions. If you’re concerned with a long-term condition, consult your insurance provider.

Most insurance companies can provide initial payment for rehabilitation. But many providers do not support maintenance or wellness treatments.

Ask About Their Health Beliefs

Choose a chiropractor whose philosophy aligns with yours. Many clinics have their own technique and approach to their patients’ problems. Many parents prefer natural treatment over antibiotics for their children.

Your clinic may be results-driven. Looking at your body’s overall function means they want to see improvement over time instead of temporary relief. Other clinics take a more pain based approach.

Choose a clinic that can live up to your expectations and alignment. Having the same health beliefs will allow you to have more open communication with your provider.

Ask About Their Rates

Find out service fees before booking an appointment. Health insurance may give you a breakdown of your costs. If you prefer paying with cash, ask how much each visit will be.

Ask if your chiropractor works with an attorney on a lien basis. This ensures that you won’t be responsible for the bills. Your chiropractor may be able to help you come up with a plan suitable to your budget.

Here are some other things to consider when choosing a family chiropractor:
- - Are they friendly and courteous?
  - Do you feel comfortable talking with them?
  - Do they answer questions fully?
  - Do they give enough information about a patient’s condition and symptoms?
  - How long have they been practicing chiropractic?
  - How often must you come to the clinic?
Some practitioners have post-graduate programs in different specialties. Such include sports medicine, rehab, neurology, nutrition, and orthopedics.

Get the Best Family Chiropractor Today!

Now you know what to consider when choosing a family chiropractor. Don’t hesitate to follow this guide step-by-step when evaluating your options.

Are you looking for a good chiropractor near you?

Fortunately, you don’t have to look far and wide for a clinic that can satisfy all of these pillars. We’re here to help! Contact us today and book your first appointment with us!
October 20, 2020
Brain Health During Stressful Times
How Do You Care For Your Brain During Stressful Times?

Times are stressful. When the pandemic hit, many people started to look at the health of their lungs, heart, and immune system. The reality is that there is no better time to look at and improve your health than right now! However, most people have failed to think of their brain health during this time.

How does a pandemic affect our brains? How can we protect our minds against damage? What are some things we can do to protect our mental and cognitive health?

It has been known for a long time that one’s mental health suffers in times of high stress. Mental health issues are no surprise since the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a spike in anxiety and depression. Over 34% of Americans are now experiencing these symptoms, according to a survey from May 2020! There is already an epidemic of mental illness globally, and now the pandemic is causing it to spike even more.

We also know that when we are under stress, our thinking can be compromised. When we have high-stress levels over long periods, it can damage our brains and cause us to make bad choices.

But do not fret! The good news is that we can improve our brain health! If we take a few easy steps to improve our brain health, we may lower our risk of damage and reduce our chances of developing long-term health issues.

Why Have a Healthy Brain?

We ultimately want a healthy and resilient brain. Resiliency allows us to handle a variety of different stresses and challenges and still be strong. This helps us to make good choices under pressure and fight off symptoms of anxiety and depression. Food is one of the best ways to build a brain that can do this.

To create a healthy and resilient brain, we have to look at ways to increase our defenses against environmental challenges. Our brains are mostly made up of fats. Omega 3 fatty acids are an essential part of your brain because they may help fight oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is increased when we are under a lot of psychological strain like we are during the pandemic. Omega 3 fatty acids are found in foods such as mackerel, sardines, salmon, and anchovies. You can also use a high-quality supplement like this one.

Another great option is polyphenols. These are natural chemicals made by plants. Polyphenols are thought to help protect our brain against toxins. Foods that are high in polyphenols include berries, grapes, green tea, and dark chocolate. You can also supplement to make sure you are getting enough.

The last thing that makes a big difference is to reduce or eliminate processed foods. Anything with added sugars or refined carbohydrates degrades our brain.

Neurofeedback For Brain Health

Neurofeedback addresses problems with brain dysregulation, which happen to be numerous. If you think about it, the brain and central nervous system work together to control and coordinate EVERYTHING in our bodies. Neurofeedback works by balancing the brain into a more appropriate brain wave pattern.

As previously mentioned, during and after a pandemic, it is shown that levels of depression and anxiety skyrocket. These are unhealthy brainwave patterns. Luckily, neurofeedback helps balance unhealthy brainwave patterns into healthy habits, reducing or eliminating feelings of depression and anxiety. This is a great drug-free option for those who are suffering. Neurofeedback helps reduce stress in the brain and gives you a better sense of calm and focus.

If you or a loved one suffers from too much stress, anxiety, or depression, schedule a FREE consultation to see if neurofeedback could help!

Stress Reduction

A little stress is good, but high and chronic levels damage our health- physically and mentally. De-stressing is easier said than done, but here are a few things you can do to protect your body and brain against stress. These are great anytime, but especially during a pandemic.

First, take a look at your schedule and how you are spending your time. Cut out as many unnecessary times of stress as possible. Think about the activities you give your time to and how they make you feel. For many people, much of the psychological stress they experience comes from watching the news. While it is great to be informed, ask yourself if it is worth the stress your body goes through and the fear generated? Unfortunately, a lot of what is aired on television has been designed to create fear and anxiety in our brains. This fear causes a stress response within us, overflowing our bodies with cortisol and other chemicals that degrade our brain health. If you don’t feel like you can eliminate this, try to reduce your time watching the news or setting a time limit.

Another great tactic is to use ways that help decrease stress. Reducing stress might be different for each person, but some great things to try are meditation, mindfulness, or walking in nature. Moderate exercise also works well for some people. The best way to start is to pick a method and try it for a few days and pay attention to how you feel. Then, try another approach and compare and pay attention to how you feel. Try taking some deep breaths throughout the day.

Necessary Maintenance For A Healthy Brain

Our brains do a lot of work and, therefore, require a lot of energy. Because of all the work that the brain does, it has a lot of metabolic waste. It is essential to clear this waste out of the body, and there are a couple of good ways to do this, besides doing an actual detox.

Exercise

The first way to help the brain get rid of metabolic waste is to exercise. Everyone knows that exercise is good for general body health, but it is helpful for brain health. Blood flow and oxygen are increased in parts of the brain during intense physical activity. One area that appears to benefit is the prefrontal cortex. This brain area is critical to good decision-making and plays a central role in mental health.

BDNF or brain-derived neurotrophic factor, has been shown to increase during exercise. BDNF is a protein that helps the brain learn and adapt to different environments. As a goal, try to get a 30-minute workout of moderate intensity each day.

Sleep

Many people struggle with getting the right amount of sleep or high-quality sleep. This is very important for brain health. Poor sleep has been linked to many health issues, such as cardiovascular disease and poor immune function. Poor sleep also puts you at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease as well as mental health issues.

Getting the right amount of high-quality sleep is one of the easiest ways to improve your wellbeing. Rest is a time for your brain to detox and reset, help you make better decisions, improve mental health, and provide psychological strength to help with the stressors in life. It is not always easy to get good, high-quality sleep, but here are some tips to help you:
- Eliminate caffeine after 12 pm
- Reduce blue light exposure (especially screens) one hour before going to bed
- Take a hot bath or shower before bed
- Read something relaxing
- Keep your cell phone outside your bedroom
- Turn your room temperature to 65-70 degrees during the night
Keeping a healthy brain is an everyday challenge, and the challenge increases during a pandemic. However, you have many options that will help your brain’s health, including eating healthy, getting adequate sleep, neurofeedback, exercise, and stress reduction. If you are concerned about your brain’s health or someone you know, please give us a call at 303-794-1737.
September 11, 2020
How Routine Blood Tests Find Nutritional Deficiencies and Keep You Healthy

Did you know that according to a recent study, over 75% of Americans are not eating a nutrient-dense diet? Nutritional deficiencies can cause a type of malnutrition. Malnutrition is a serious problem with long-term effects, such as chronic health problems and weaker immune systems.

People often overlook routine blood chemistry panels, but standard blood tests are essential. After all, they can tell you about your health, what you need to improve, and if you have nutritional deficiencies in your current diet.

Keep reading, and we will walk you through what you need to know and how you can make improvements to your lifestyle.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Nutritional deficiency is when the body isn’t getting enough nutrients. This includes vitamins and minerals. Your body requires vitamins to stay healthy and to function.

Vitamins are in the foods we eat, but this is not always enough. This is true, especially today, when the soil is less fertile than ever before. People that have certain conditions or lack in some natural vitamins need to compensate with extra supplements.

Vitamin deficiencies are more common than you think. Always consult with a health professional before adding a new supplement to your diet.

Chronic undernutrition affects more than 925 million people in the world.

If you face malnutrition, you will lose weight, your body can lose its normal functions, and your body fat and muscle can deteriorate.

Malnutrition can cause organ failure, poor wound healing, and other conditions.

Malnutrition can cause serious health problems, such as stunting your growth, eye problems, and chronic conditions.

You want to make sure your body has the right amount of nutrition. You also want to make sure you’re getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need.

Routine blood tests will help test your nutrition levels. It is essential to get a physical every year, but it’s equally as crucial that you get your blood tested as well.

Why Routine Blood Tests Are Important

Getting a comprehensive blood chemistry panel is an important way to keep track of your physical health and well-being. It’s an efficient and cost-effective general blood screening test.

The panel will help you understand your current condition, and from there, you will work with us to create a customized plan to meet your body’s needs to stay healthy.

Though this isn’t the same type of blood panel that your medical doctor will request, it’s vital for your body’s wellness, and will still show you more in-depth information about your nutrition levels and what your body needs.

At Dody Chiropractic Center for Wholeness, we provide a comprehensive blood chemistry panel and an in-depth report of your results. We look beyond what blood test results would say are “normal” and dig deeper into the chemical imbalances in your body.

Our goal is to bring your body back into a balanced state. We will come up with a plan together on how to do this, and we will help you every step of the way.

How do you get started? It begins with a phone consultation before you get your blood drawn. Afterward, you will receive an in-depth report, and you’ll learn more about what the numbers mean and what changes you can make.

Flaws in Standard Blood Tests

How other places find their average ranges for routine blood tests are often flawed. They aren’t always accurate because current averages are calculated by looking at 100-200 people tested recently at that lab.

Averages aren’t set by one central lab or multiple working together to get the most accurate results. They are set by each lab individually, which poses the problem of not having a proper sample size.

The lab takes the average number from the lab results for the clinical range and finds high and low marks. Using high and low deviations, they find the normal range.

Another error in this system is that people usually get a blood test because they already have a health problem. This adds to the calculations being off of what is considered healthy. In addition, we look at the “healthy” ranges for biomarkers whereas your doctor will look at “normal” ranges.

Here at Dody Chiropractic Center for Wholeness, we look to help you find the underlying cause of the nutritional deficiencies and fix it. We aim to decrease medications, if possible, to relieve any symptoms you’re having and bring wellness and harmony to your body.

You can start small with health goals that help improve your body’s imbalances. We can help walk you through the best plan for you and your body.

Achieve Your Health Goals

Blood work can also be your guide to find the right diet and fitness routine. You want to make sure you take your blood work into account, so your diet or fitness routine is best for your body.

It can also be a guide for what supplements you should include in your diet. In some cases, taking too many supplements can be harmful, as it can cause overcorrections.

That’s why you should consult a professional to help guide you on what supplements to choose and how much to take per day. Routine blood tests are the starting point that can restore balance in your diet.

After the tests, you can work toward your health goals. By choosing the right diet and getting the proper nutrition levels, it can help improve your skin, hair, nails, and improve the function of your body.

Your health goals can start small. This includes changing your diet, incorporating more healthy foods, and eating well-balanced meals. They can also include exercising, such as going on walks, biking, or even running.

Schedule Your Routine Blood Check Today

Now that we’ve gone through the benefits of why you should get routine blood tests, it’s time to schedule your appointment.

We are a holistic wellness center that aims to help people improve their health and quality of life.

A comprehensive blood panel will help keep you healthy and maintain your body function and nutrition levels. The test makes sure that you are taking care of any imbalances and avoiding future health issues.

Schedule your blood work today. Contact us to get a 15-minute consultation, and ask any questions about how getting your blood tested will help your health.

September 8, 2020
Neurofeedback for ADHD: How Can It Help?
Have you heard of neurofeedback? Well, it’s a very promising treatment that has been employed for a variety of conditions, including ADHD.

In premise, neurofeedback employs the use of instant EEG key-points that allow patients to adapt their brains to improve executive function, focus, and impulse control.

In this article, we will cover neurofeedback for ADHD in a little bit more depth.

So keep reading to learn more.

What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?

As mentioned earlier, neurofeedback therapy employs the use of instant EEG data to allow patients to adapt their brains for predictable outcomes of improved focus, greater impulse control, and functioning execution.

For over 40 years, patients with ADHD and other disorders have been using neurofeedback in the hopes of training their brains. According to anecdotal and scientific reports, the benefits are:
1. Brain changes can be measured, and appear to continue well beyond the end of treatment
2. Brain improvements lead to behavioral changes, such as reduced distractibility, sustainable focus, diminished impulsivity
Neurofeedback has deep roots in neuroplasticity, the scientific principle in which the brain is identified as malleable. This means that intense and regular practice can transform its baseline activity.

Over time, neurofeedback can help patients improve the rate of their high-frequency brain waves. Thus, leading to greater control. It’s noted that many ADHD patients generate a greater quantity of theta and delta brain waves. Over 30 sessions, neurofeedback can reverse this overwhelming ratio. The outcome is an engaged brain with reduced symptoms of ADHD.

Even more specifically, the therapy improves the brain’s capacity and inherent tendency to create beta waves. Those are directly related to problem solving and processing. When a high proportion of theta waves is present, patients will experience disorganization, incomplete work, and distractibility. Neurofeedback diminishes the presence of such brainwaves.

Where Did It Come From?

In the 1920s, Hans Berger (German psychiatrist) had connected several electrodes to a scalp of a patient and was able to detect current via a ballistic galvanometer. During the subsequent years, he published many reports about his study of EEGs. And much of the modern understanding of the subject, especially in the frequencies of the middle.

Later on, G. Dietsch had applied the Fourier analysis to the records of EEG and became the first noted person for researching quantitative EEG. In the 1960s, neurofeedback was popularized by Joe Kamiya who focused on alpha brain waves.

This a very rough outline of what modern history notes as the roots of EEG, however, there is significantly more to the topic. Feel free to research on your own time, and discover more about the wonders of reading brainwaves.

Neurofeedback for ADHD

Neurofeedback for ADHD is also known as electroencephalogram biofeedback. It can help your child learn to have control over their brain activity, which will improve their concentration at work or school.

In the majority of people, concentrating helps speed up the activity in the brain. This leads to improvements. For children with ADHD, the opposite is true. If the child has ADHD, concentrating will leave them distracted and less efficient. That’s why the old adage of pay attention does not work.

Neurofeedback training can help your child encourage their brain to be more attentive when the time is right. During a session, the doctor will attach sensors to the head of your child. These sensors are connected to a machine and monitor, allowing your child to see their brain waves. Then the doctor will instruct them to focus on specific tasks. If the child can see how the brain functions in regards to different tasks, they might be able to gain control over it.

In fact, your child can use the feedback as a guide to understanding how their brain works when performing tasks or concentrating. During therapy, they can employ a variety of strategies to help them maintain focus, and see the direct result from the biofeedback.

Regular Treatment & ADHD

In premise, your child can learn to cope with ADHD by adopting behavioral changes that make life simple. Changes to the environment can greatly affect their ADHD symptoms, as well as levels of stimulation.

Your child might need targeted or stronger treatment in some cases. The doctor might prescribe stimulant medications, which are not the greatest thing, to be honest. For instance, they might prescribe dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate or something else to your child. These medications will certainly help, however, there are plenty of unwanted side-effects.

Thus, it’s important to speak to your doctor about the potential issues that might come up when treating your child’s ADHD with pharmaceuticals. The common issues are:
1. Sleep problems
2. Weight gain
3. Weight loss
4. Delayed growth
5. Stunted growth
6. Decreased appetite
In some cases, your child might develop an abnormal heartbeat. In any case, your doctor should be able to weigh the potential risks and benefits of treating their condition. They might recommend alternative treatment methodologies, in addition to or as a replacement for medication.

For instance, they might recommend neurofeedback, which you have already learned about prior.

Neurofeedback for Your Child

Now that you know what neurofeedback for ADHD is, and how it can help, you are well on your way to figuring out whether or not it’s the right treatment for your child. In any case, it’s best to speak to your doctor and learn more about it.

If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment or simply learning more about neurofeedback, get in touch with us and we will happily accommodate your needs.
September 5, 2020
How to Choose the Best Chiropractor Near You

Are you experiencing nagging back pains that don’t want to go away? Do you have headaches or migraines quite too often?

Then a trip to a chiropractor is likely what you need.

Statistics reveal that 1 out of 4 Americans suffer from back pains. As a result, the nagging pain keeps them from performing optimally at work. Furthermore, over 4 million adults experience chronic migraines daily. These are concerns that may link to musculoskeletal disorders. Thankfully, a chiropractor can diagnose and treat these issues.

But you may be asking, “how can I find the best chiropractor near me?”

What are the key factors to consider when searching for one?

Continue reading below for a guide in finding a trusted chiropractor in your area.

Start with Local Reviews

When asking, “how can I find the best chiropractor near me?” the first thing to do is to go online and check the local reviews for chiropractic clinics in your area.

Look at the overall ratings of the clinics to get a quick overview.

After that, check the patient reviews and see what they have to say about the service. Please take note of their feedback about the office environment, scheduling, and wait times. Also, find out what they have to say about the staff.

Were they friendly and professional? Make a list of comments that send red flags. From there, you can trim down options as you build a shortlist.

Finding the Best Chiropractor Near Me: Referrals Count

Aside from the local reviews, asking for referrals is another excellent way of finding a good chiropractor. And the best people to ask are your friends and relatives.

Connect with your family and colleagues who are receiving chiropractic treatment. If there is none, ask those who visited a chiropractor in your area even if it was a year ago.

Ask about their experience in the clinic. Take note of the pros and cons that they will share. Also, consider talking to your primary care doctor.

Ask if they can refer you to a chiropractor they personally know. From there, you can check the credentials of every referral that you will receive.

Credentials Matter

Speaking of credentials, this is one of the most crucial aspects of your search. The chiropractors’ credentials will give you an idea about what to expect from their practice.

To probe deeper, go to the state licensing board’s official website. Confirm the qualifications of the chiropractors. You can learn about the chiropractors’ respective chiropractic college, their training clinic, and the certifications they earned through the website.

Your goal is to cross-check if they are telling the truth or not.

Also, keep watch of any disciplinary actions that they may have. Do the same thing to determine if they have any malpractice claims, pending or otherwise.

And of course, you want to make sure that they have the license to practice chiropractic care. The license ensures that the chiropractor holds ample knowledge, skills, and training to administer appropriate chiropractic care.

Check the Experience

Solid credentials are good, but if you add extensive experience, then all the better. Generally, the more experience your chiropractor has, the better he will be able to treat you. An experienced chiropractor will know how to handle musculoskeletal problems of various severities.

Also, a good chiropractor can treat a wide range of ailments. They can treat simple back pains, anxiety attacks, and depression. One easy way to determine if a chiropractor can help you is to ask if he already treated a patient with the same condition as yours.

If he doesn’t, then it is best to revisit your shortlist and look for another option.

The Tech and Techniques

When it comes to treating chiropractic problems, the technology and techniques matter a lot. Ask about the techniques they use in treating their patients. During the initial consultation, ask about their methods and the equipment that they use.

If you already know the procedure that you need, find out if they are offering it- some of the unique techniques to consider are the Koren Specific Technique and ArthroStim.

Know the Fees

Last but not least, you need to research the service fees. It would be best if you did this before agreeing to any procedure.

Are you paying in cash? Then find out how much a visit will cost you. But if you have insurance, determine the services the insurance provider will cover.

And if your injury was a result of an accident, find out if the chiropractor works with a lawyer on a lien basis. This will keep you from worrying about who will shoulder the bills.

Don’t hesitate to compare prices. And when you do, don’t automatically go for the cheapest. Instead, consider all the other factors before making your final choice.

Tips Before Seeing a Chiropractor

Before visiting a chiropractor, make sure to prepare not only your body but also your mind. Start by having a mindset that is open to making key changes.

There is a possibility that your chiropractor will advise you to shift to a healthier lifestyle. Hence, be ready to make some sacrifices.

Also, don’t expect a miracle to happen during the visit. Yes, a chiropractic session will likely give you a little relief. However, don’t expect it to eliminate the pain in one session.

You may need to visit a few more times before you can finally say goodbye to that nagging back or hip pain.

Lastly, be ready to tell everything to your chiropractor. The majority of chiropractic concerns link to the spine. The spine is a complex part of the body that requires careful attention.

Hence, you need to divulge everything that you feel.

If you are having trouble sleeping at night, say it. Moreover, be ready to share about your current habits and lifestyle. Never hold back any information concerning your condition.

Enjoy Top-notch Chiropractic Care Today!

Now that you know the answers to the question “how to find the best chiropractor near me,” you can take the first step toward effective pain relief. And if you’re searching for a reputable chiropractor in Colorado, you came to the right place.

Connect with us today and schedule an appointment. We offer comprehensive chiropractic care using a holistic approach.

August 27, 2020