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Monday, July 30, 2012

Depression

Alternative Depression Treatments That Really Work

Alternative Depression TreatmentsLearning what to do about depression is of the utmost importance to the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who are afflicted with it. You are desperately seeking answers for yourself or loved ones for the safest course of treatment. Knowing what the dangerous side effects of prescription medications are, you will want to take a few moments to consider some of the options when it comes to safe alternative depression treatments.
St. John's Wart. This is often considered to be one of the best therapy tools that people can use. In studies, it has shown to be far more effective than most of the medications available and has fewer health concerns.
Vitamins B and D. B Vitamins have been linked to improving the mood of a person and helping with their brain function. By increasing your B Vitamins intake, there is a strong potential for you to improve your depression symptoms and you can start to feel better quickly. Foods high in B vitamins include Leafy greens, Eggs, Beans, whole grains, fish.
Vitamin D has also been found to improve depression. According to Dr. Mercola "Optimizing your vitamin D levels through proper sun exposure, use of a safe tanning bed or vitamin D3 supplementation may be an important step to protect your mental and emotional health." (1)
Exercising. Exercising alone can help you to begin to feel better and improve your mood. Dr. Weil recommends thirty minutes of continuous aerobic exercise, at least five days a week for best results.
Massages. Studies have shown that massages do help the body to experience a reduction in stress. Over time, this can help it to heal and improve the way we feel. With that in mind, you are going to want to consider regular massages. This will reduce the hormones and cortisol in your body and this can lead to a reduction in the depression that you end up feeling.
Acupuncture. When a trained acupuncturist works on you, studies have shown that your body can reduce the severity of the depression that it experiences. Acupuncture can change your brain chemistry in a good way so that you see a different outlook on life.
Individually, these natural approaches may have a little impact, but together they can dramatically reduce or eliminate depression and they are the safest choices you will have for improving your health without side effects.
Many people don't know what to do about depression. So here come greedy and unscrupulous companies who would love for you to think that the only solution is a costly pill. It can cost you more than money. Sometimes it can cost you your life. Now you know how to naturally treat depression.
The truth is that many conditions can be improved with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. It is your body and your life at stake. Don't be afraid to do your research and ask questions in order to find the best solution.
Sources
(1) New study shows this vitamin helps prevent depression
By Dr. Mercola
N. Curtis has written dozens of health articles and is the author of the Amazingly Informative and Extremely Entertaining Free Special Health Report "It's Your Body, You Can Die If You Want To!" Check it out now at http://www.youcandieifyouwantto.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6793507

Healthy Hips and Healthy Knees


healthy_hips_sm.jpg
Chiropractic Care and Healthy Joints
Technically speaking, chiropractic care helps balance weight-bearing loads in the spinal column. The immediate result is improved spinal biomechanics, which benefits all the other weight-bearing joints in the body, particularly the hips and knees.
Hip function and knee function are directly related to how well your spine is working. Many times, hip pain and knee pain are being caused by mechanical problems in the spine. Neck pain, shoulder pain, and lower back pain let you know that your spinal biomechanics are off. The connecting links are biomechanics and distribution of weight. Regular chiropractic care addresses all of these problems, helping ensure optimal functioning throughout your body. By helping restore proper spinal biomechanics, chiropractic care helps improve hip and knee function, too.
The numbers of individuals undergoing total hip replacement and total knee replacement are increasing significantly.1 Annual rates in the United States for total hip replacement have increased more than 50%. In Denmark, rates have been increasing by 30%. Annual rates in the United States for total knee replacement have increased by more than 170%.2 In Sweden, rates have increased 500% in the last 20 years.3 With the aging of the population and increased lifespan, these rates will continue to increase.
Advanced surgical procedures are invaluable, if you need them. Of course, many persons have unrelenting, daily pain which may require radical surgery. For everyone else, though, the best way forward are the old reliables: regular exercise, as vigorous as is appropriate; a healthy diet containing plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables; and sufficient rest on as consistent basis as possible. Regular chiropractic care is also a key component of helping to keep your weight-bearing joints in peak condition.
Most hip and knee replacements are done because the person has severely painful degenerative joint disease - osteoarthritis. Hips, knees, and ankles are all weight-bearing joints. These joints are big and strong and have many surfaces on which to distribute the substantial mechanical loads which are placed on them throughout the day. But these joints don't last forever and, like all living systems, they will eventually begin to age and break down. Serious problems ensue, however, when these critically important joints start breaking down long before their "warranty" expires.
Many hip and knee problems are a result of chronically poor posture. Almost none of us are taught how to use our bodies properly. We don't come with instruction manuals. So as time goes on, the inefficient habits we develop as children and teenagers become permanent. People slouch, they let their abdominal muscles sag, they stand with all their weight on one leg, and their heads stick out in front rather than being centered over their chests. One result is chronically tight and painful neck, shoulder, and lower back muscles. Another result is chronically uneven distribution of the weight of the body, ultimately causing degeneration of hip and knee joints.
Lack of a healthy diet prevents the lubricating tissues of the hip and knee joints from receiving key nutrients. Lack of proper joint lubrication causes osteoarthritis. Lack of regular exercise inhibits normal joint motion and normal joint nutrition and lubrication, leading to the development of degenerative joint disease. When you add up faulty biomechanics, lack of a healthy diet, and lack of proper exercise, the result is a prescription for chronic hip and knee problems.
It's very important to address these issues when you're young. When you're not as young as you were, the time to begin making healthful changes is right now. Chiropractic care directly helps improve a person's biomechanics. Chiropractic care also helps people make the best use possible of the good food they're beginning to eat and the regular exercise they're beginning to get.
For most of us, the best way to prevent the need for a hip or knee replacement is to take consistent, healthy actions on our own behalf. If a hip or knee replacement turns out to be the way to go, all of these healthy actions will help ensure a quick recovery and continued good health from this point onward.
1Singh JA: Epidemiology of knee and hip arthroplasty: a systematic review. Open Orthop J 5:80-85, 2011
2Kurtz S, et al: Prevalence of primary and revision total hip and knee arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am 87(7):1487-1497, 2005
3Knutson K, Robertsson O: The Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register. Acta Orthop 81(1):5-7, 2010

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Story of Chiropractic

Chiro_Story Like conventional medicine, chiropractic is based upon scientific principles of diagnosis through testing and empirical observations.
The word "chiropractic" comes from the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action) and literally means "done by hand."  Instead of prescribing drugs or performing surgeries, chiropractors use manual treatments of the spine and joints, exercise therapy, massage, trigger point therapy and lifestyle changes to allow the body's natural state of health to fully express itself.
Like conventional medicine, chiropractic is based upon scientific principles of diagnosis through testing and empirical observations. Treatment is based upon the practitioner's rigorous training and clinical experience.  Unlike conventional medicine, which focuses on attempting to treat disease once it occurs, chiropractic attempts to improve the health of the individual in an effort to avoid illness in the first place.  Most people would rather be healthy and avoid illness, if they could.  This is one of the main reasons for the big upsurge in the popularity of chiropractic.  People are recognizing the benefit of seeking an alternative to traditional medicine; one that will help them achieve and maintain optimal health.
Chiropractors understand that one of the main causes of pain and disease is the misalignment and abnormal motion of the vertebrae in the spinal column called a subluxation.  Chiropractic works by removing these subluxations in the spine, thereby relieving pressure and irritation on the nerves, restoring joint mobility, and returning the body back to a state of normal function. 
Numerous studies have demonstrated that chiropractic care is one of the most effective treatments for back pain, neck pain, headaches, whiplash, sports injuries and many other types of musculoskeletal problems. It has even been shown to be effective in reducing high blood pressure, decreasing the frequency of childhood ear infections and improving the symptoms of asthma.
The chiropractic approach to healthcare is holistic, meaning that it addresses your overall health.   It recognizes that many lifestyle factors such as exercise, diet, rest and environment impact your health.  For this reason, chiropractors recommend changes in lifestyle' eating, exercise, and sleeping habits in addition to chiropractic care.
What truly differentiates doctors of chiropractic from any other healthcare professionals is the fact that chiropractors are the only professionals who are trained to diagnose and treat what are called spinal subluxations.  The word 'subluxation' comes from the Latin words meaning 'to dislocate' (luxare) and 'somewhat or slightly' (sub).  So the term 'vertebral subluxation' literally means a slight dislocation (misalignment) of the bones in the spine. Although this term was adequate in the 1800s when much was still misunderstood about the human body, today the word 'subluxation' has changed in meaning to capture the complex of neurological, structural and functional changes that occur when a bone is 'out of place.'  For this reason chiropractors usually refer to subluxations of the spine as the "Vertebral Subluxation Complex", or "VSC" for short.
Chiropractors have known the dangers of the vertebral subluxation complex ever since the birth of the profession. More and more scientific research is demonstrating the tremendous detrimental impact that subluxation have on the tissue of the body.  In order to be truly healthy, it is vital that your nervous system be functioning free of interference from subluxations.  Chiropractors are the only health professionals trained in the detection, location, and correction of the vertebral subluxation complex through chiropractic care.
The chiropractic adjustment is a quick thrust applied to a vertebra for the purpose of correcting its position, movement or both.  Adjustments are often accompanied by an audible release of gas that sounds like a 'crack.'  The sound sometimes shocks people a little bit the first couple times they get adjusted, but the sensation is usually relieving.  Occasionally, minor  discomfort is experienced, especially if the surrounding muscles  are in spasm or the patient tenses up during the chiropractic  procedure.  There are times when the audible 'cracking' does not occur.   This is often due to either significant  muscle tightness or that the patient may be having a hard time relaxing during their adjustments. 
Chiropractic is so much more than simply a means of relieving pain.  Ultimately, the goal of the chiropractic treatment is to restore the body to its natural state of optimal health.  In order to accomplish this, I use a variety of treatment methods, including manual adjustments, massage, trigger point therapy, nutrition, exercise rehabilitation, massage, as well as counseling on lifestyle issues that impact your health.  Since the body has a remarkable ability to heal itself and to maintain its own health, the primary focus is simply to remove those things which interfere with the body's normal healing ability.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Foot Care the Chiropractic Way




 Your chiropractor understands the importance of healthy feet on the function of your lower extremity joints and tissues, as well as on your spine and posture and will work with you to maintain or restore your foot health.  Foot care, the chiropractic way often involves more natural methods of treating foot and ankle ailments and it is a conservative, noninvasive approach that recognizes and respects your body’s inherent integrity and design.  Many chiropractors believe the foot, like the spine, can heal itself when proper structural alignment and tissue tone are restored.



Chiropractic foot care strategies encourage long-term foot, ankle, knee, hip and spine health which may address the underlying cause of many common foot and shin ailments.  The chiropractic approach to foot care also seeks to prevent chronic musculoskeletal health problems, such as knee osteoarthritis, 
which may be associated with faulty footwear and excessive joint loading.
  
Restoring natural foot strength, flexibility, and function are core 
principles of chiropractic foot care


Your chiropractor may also offer advice about the best footwear for you and how certain commercial foot products may support or inhibit your body’s structural health.  Foot care the chiropractic way is a safe, simple and cost-effective alternative to foot surgery, pharmaceutical drugs and other conventional approaches to help you regain your natural foot form and function. Foot Form and Function


   Your foot and ankle joints are the first links in a kinetic chain that begins at your toes and travels up through your body to your skull.  A solid and stable platform, or foot, is essential for the proper functioning of this chain, for ensuring that your body segments work together in harmony to generate efficient and healthy movement.  A structurally healthy human foot provides just such a platform, and it should be widest at the ends of the toes for optimal support


A foot that possesses excellent toe splay and is widest at the ends of the toes may improve your balance, protect you from overpronation (i.e., excessive inward rolling of your foot and ankle) during weight-bearing activity and successfully absorb and disperse the forces experienced during gait, states 
Portland, Oregon-based sports podiatrist Dr. Ray McClanahan



Natural, Noninvasive Treatments


    Your chiropractor is a musculoskeletal health expert who may use several natural, noninvasive methods to treat your foot problem.  Chiropractic foot care strategies differ, though, depending on the nature of your injury or ailment and your chiropractor’s treatment preferences. Common chiropractic foot care methods to address recent foot or ankle injuries include P.R.I.C.E.  (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation), foot manipulation, or adjusting, therapeutic taping procedures, soft tissue mobilization using the hands or tools, appropriate stretching and strengthening exercises and physical therapy modalities, such as ultrasound or cold laser.   Many chronic or long-standing foot complaints may benefit from these therapies, too, though long-term foot problems may best be treated by restoring normal, healthy foot anatomy and removing the factors, especially improper footwear, that cause foot and toe deformation and dysfunction over time. Some chiropractors may also recommend specific foot pads, shoe inserts, or custom footbeds to address your individual foot needs.



Important Footwear Considerations


   The feet of people who have grown up in barefoot cultures or who have worn minimal footwear for all or most of their life such as in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world appear markedly different from the feet of shoewearing individuals.  These people, in many cases, have excellent toe splay, strong and sturdy foot arches and incredible foot dexterity.  The widest part of the foot in these individuals is at the ends of the toes, not at the ball of the foot, as is common in shoewearing, people.  According to a study in the Journal of the National Association of Chiropodists, unshod individuals may experience a significantly lower incidence of common foot problems, including hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, arthritis, and fungal infection.

   Wearing footwear that encourages proper foot anatomy and function is one of the most important considerations in treating numerous foot and ankle problems.  Four design features commonly included in conventional footwear may contribute to foot and toe deformation or discomfort and should be considered when shopping for shoes or boots.  These features include: tapering toe boxes, heel elevation, toe spring (i.e., the upward ramping that is built into the ends of many shoes) and rigid, inflexible soles  Tapering toe 
boxes and heel elevation may be the most problematic shoe design features of all and you should consider searching for flat shoes with a toe box wide enough to accommodate natural, healthy toe splay







Wednesday, July 18, 2012

A worthy addition and a good resource.
http://nourishedkitchen.com/kale-and-white-bean-soup/?utm_source=Newsletter+List&utm_campaign=020821f51a-Kale+and+White+Bean+Soup+RSS&utm_medium=email

copy and paste for healthy Kale and White Bean soup recipe.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Deep-Tissue Massage Vs Swedish Massage: Which Is Right for You?


Whether your muscles are aching or you're just looking for a little pampering, massage therapy can give you relief and relaxation. But with all the different types of massage out there, it can be hard to decide which type of therapeutic massage you're looking for. Here we examine two of the most popular massage techniques, deep-tissue and Swedish, in a little more detail to help you understand which option best suits your needs.
Swedish Massage
When most people think of therapeutic massage, they're likely thinking of Swedish massage. Available for specific areas, such as the hands or neck and shoulders, or as a full-body treatment, Swedish massage techniques are designed to promote circulation, relieve everyday aches and stiffness, and generally encourage relaxation and physical/mental health. In this type of massage therapy, five different classifications of strokes/movements are used to dispel tension and eliminate stress: sliding/gliding (effleurage), kneading (petrissage), tapping (tapotement), friction, and vibration/shaking. Although Swedish massages can be somewhat intense at times, the overall goal is to work in the topmost layers of muscle to work out those day-to-day knots and stiffness.
For many people, Swedish massage treatments can be a key tool in stress relief and whole-body relaxation.
Deep-Tissue Massage
While Swedish massage techniques are a relaxing tool perfect for relieving general muscle aches and stress, deep-tissue massage targets more underlying problems. Working below the top layers of muscle, deep-tissue massages work to provide healing benefits to fascia, joints, and deep muscle tissue. These massage treatments are ideal for individuals with frequent pain, aches stemming from injury, or even chronic conditions such as arthritis and other muscloskeletal disorders.
Deep-tissue massages focus on concentrated areas, utilizing sustained pressure and intense strokes that can be uncomfortable or even somewhat painful during the treatment. However, when performed properly by a professional massage therapist, the ultimate outcome of a deep-tissue session will be relief of aches and pains and overall support for healing and physical well-being.
If you're looking for general relaxation and relief from everyday tension, Swedish massage is probably the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you're interested in promoting healing for an injury or finding relief from ongoing muscle pain, deep-tissue massage treatment may hold the answers you're seeking. Of course, you'll want to discuss your physical condition and goals with your massage therapist prior to any treatment to make certain you get the optimal outcome and the maximum relief.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

  • Health Care Philosophy
    Health Care Philosophy
    Everyone deserves to be healthy and express their full potential from the time they are born through their last breath of life. This includes you!

    To help you maximize your ability to heal from an injury, pain or health problem, to identify underlying conditions that you may not feel yet, or to achieve optimum health and peak performance levels, the following scientific and philosophical premises should be applied to your health care and lifestyle.

    1. Innate Intelligence
    You have, within you, an Innate Intelligence. Present from the moment you were conceived, this intelligence grew you from 1 cell into over 80 quadrillion cells that were organized and specialized to keep you healthy and functioning at your highest level throughout your lifetime. This Innate Intelligence guides the processes in your body that turn food into cells, eliminate waste products, coordinate muscle contraction and communicate with or without your conscious thought to every cell, tissue and organ of your body via your nervous system. As long as there is no interference to this system, you have the capability to heal, feel great, be healthy and function well for a lifetime. Nurture this Intelligence for the development of your human potential and you will set personal records in all areas of your life.

    2. Interference
    Unfortunately, there can be interference to the communication and expression of this intelligence within your body. This interference causes dis-ease, weakness, and imbalances within your nervous system that can cause all types of immediate health problems. Or, this interference can lie dormant and asymptomatic for decades, leading to severe health conditions, chronic pain, deterioration and disease down the road.

    Nerve Interference in the spine is called a vertebral subluxation. Lifestyle Interference is a result of poor health habits such as overeating, poor nutrition, excessive drinking, taking prescription or non-prescription drugs, or sitting too much. Environmental Interference is caused by toxicity from air, food, water, or chemicals, as well as accidents or natural disasters. All three types of interference can cause pressure in your spine and nervous system and affect your health on every level.

    3. Adjustments
    Using a variety of chiropractic techniques, our 100 Year Lifestyle Licensed Affiliates will work to remove this interference from your body so that you can heal quickly, stabilize, regenerate and achieve optimum health and peak performance levels for a lifetime.
    · ·

Sunday, July 8, 2012


Top 10 Reasons to Get Your Spine Checked


www.100yearlifestyle.com

10. The times that you need your spine the most will be the time that it will tend to give out on you.
If you neglect your spine and nervous system, you can be sure that when you need it the most due to stress, physical activity, business or pleasure travel, it can give out on you. Extra stress on a weakened spine and nervous system can overload your system and contribute to health problems. Lifestyle Care can keep you healthy and prevent these inconvenient episodes from putting a damper on your life.

9. Nerve pressure can exist without pain.
According to the research, pain is not a good indicator of how healthy or unhealthy your spine and nervous system are. Spinal examinations such as posture, weight balance, palpation, muscle testing, computer scans and x-rays are much better indicators. Pain is usually the last to show up and the first to be relieved when you begin chiropractic care.

8. Nerves supply your whole body.
Your spine protects your nerve system, the master control center of your body. Vital energy flows over your nerves and communications with every cell. Nerve pathways must be clear for the messages to get through. If you have an uncorrected spinal problem, it can cause a decrease in the function of vital organs and systems, and lead to unecessary pain or health problems.

7. Deterioration can begin within 2 weeks.
Researchers found that when the spine is misaligned it can begin to deteriorate within 2 weeks. Think about how many two weeks have passed since you were born, which is often when the first spinal injury or vertebral subluxation occurs. How many two weeks are there from a childhood fall to age 50? Is it any wonder why more than 15 million people are diagnosed with osteoarthritis each year? Don't wait another 2 weeks for a check up.

6. Your quality of life depends on a healthy spine.
If you want to be healthy and active as you age, your spine and nervous system must be healthy. Period.

5. The straw will break the camel's back.
We’ve all heard the expression “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” This is so true for too many people who ignore minor spinal problems. One day they do something simple, like bend down to tie their shoe, and they can’t get up. Major problems are much more painful and expensive to care for, and they can ruin your day, or even worse, your life.

4. Grandma and Grandpa didn't get crooked overnight. They grew that way over time.
Over time, the spine and nervous system deteriorates, not because of age, but because of subluxations. Just like the tires on your car wear down unevenly when they are misaligned, the same can happen in your spine. You may have some areas in your spine that look and feel like they are 80 years old while you have other areas that are more like a 30 year old. You can keep your entire spine healthy with chiropractic Lifestyle Care.

3. Good posture keeps you young and attractive.
When your body becomes bent over and crooked, you will look and feel old and decrepit. If you keep your posture and your spine straight and strong, you will stay healthier and feel younger and more attractive. People often use drastic measures to preserve their youthful appearance as they age. Don’t you think a facelift would look silly on a person whose spine and nervous system were neglected?

2. You can't afford to get sick or injured.
Now more than ever, you cannot afford to get sick. Crisis care costs are astronomical and an unhealthy spine and nervous system can be the cause of many problems. Getting your spine and nervous system checked and adjusted regularly can help you stay healthier and save you money in the long run.

1. Because you were born.
Everybody deserves to be healthy from the time they are born through their last breathe of life. This includes you. Too many people wait until they have intense pain and suffering before they make their health a priority. Don't let this happen to you.