Precision Chiropractic

NeuroStructural Chiropractor

adaptability

Pathogen vs. Host

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On October 17 at 5:04 pm a 6.9 magnitude earthquake rocked central California along the San Andreas fault system. This earthquake was captured on the live broadcast of the 1989 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics. This natural disaster caused 63 deaths, injured 3,800 more, and caused an estimated 6 billion dollars in property damage. Brick buildings crumbled, freeways crashed down, a section of the Bay Bridge collapsed, and the Marina neighborhood sank as the ground turned to quicksand as a result of the shaking. The reason I bring up this history lesson is that I see many parallels to our current crisis. Of course, there are obvious differences, but I want to point out a few key takeaways that can help us presently.

Earthquakes are natural. They are the tax we pay for living on Earth. Viruses are also natural. They are also a tax we have to pay for living on Earth. The very specific environmental requirements that are needed for human life to exist are also what allow viruses to exist. This means through our evolution (or creation), we have to be able to deal with these viruses and other bugs to survive. As I mentioned previously (click here for last week’s newsletter), this built-in adaptability is what allows us to be the most dominant species on the planet.

So here is the question that I will pose: should we focus on the host or should we focus on the pathogen?

Going back to the earthquake analogy we are using today, should we focus on stopping earthquakes or should we focus on building homes and offices with strong, reinforced foundations? The buildings that were not up to code or very old endured the bulk of the damage. 

Thinking in terms of either/or is convenient for our thought exercise, but in reality (thankfully) it can be a both/and situation. 

But what’s the proper ratio? On Facebook, Twitter, and the nightly news, nearly all the attention is spent on the pathogen and not the host. 

It has been very easy to feel helpless during this crisis but we have the opportunity right now to take better care of our bodies, allowing it to perform at its best. After the earthquake in 1989, there was a massive effort to retrofit old buildings to make them more earthquake resistant. New building codes and policies were put in place to prevent the same level of devastation in the future. In addition, there were advancements in technology to provide early detection and communication. 

Earthquakes will never go away and neither will viruses and bugs. So let’s spend more time on building strong buildings and bodies so that the next time disaster strikes, we will be ready.

What to Believe

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WHAT TO BELIEVE…

If you have been paying attention (who hasn’t?) surely you’ve come across a myriad of different opinions and theories about what is happening. Some are wild and easily dismissed, some seem to be rooted in sound reasoning, and some appear factual and undeniable. You may have discovered these theories on Facebook, on the news, or during the President’s daily briefings. Every day brings a new angle or article about COVID-19. There is a lot to sort through. It can be tough because we are all biased consumers – we see things through the lens of our own experiences and belief systems. We are not immune to political persuasions and personal constructs. This is why I want to share what we know.  

Here is what we do know:  

  1. The human body has a built-in defense system against bacteria, viruses, and other unwanted invaders. You don’t make it to the top of the food chain, spawn great civilizations, and inhabit every corner of the globe without it. The nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system give us all a highly effective means to adapt to any external factor, including the climate, altitude, environment, and various bugs and viruses we encounter along the way.
  2. This isn’t the first time this has happened, nor will it be the last. The Spanish Flu, The Black Death, Russian Plague, and the Great Plague of London are all examples throughout human history where we have been challenged in this way. BUT…there is no other point in history where we are more capable of dealing with this challenge. Clean water (indoor plumbing, seriously valuable!), sanitary practices, technological advances in communication and medicine, and a deeper understanding of what makes people healthy are all advantages that we have now. 
  3. The better you take care of yourself as a matter of routine, the better your body will be equipped to ward off invaders. This doesn’t only apply today as we do all we can to avoid serious illness now that there is a more tangible threat. The lessons we are able to glean from this period of “reset” that humans around the world have found themselves in can, and should, be a catalyst for introspection. If we’re being wise, we should all emerge from this experience having made lifestyle changes that support our body’s ability to heal and thrive. Don’t rely on the latest medicine or the government to save you – there is no replacement for being healthy naturally. 
  4. We, as a society, need to redefine health. Health cannot simply be a lack of symptoms. Even the World Health Organization acknowledges this and defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health isn’t found at the bottom of a pill bottle or in the latest and greatest surgical intervention. Health is, and will always be, your body’s innate ability to adapt and heal. It’s on us to shift our mindset and start looking at what it really means to be healthy so we can make better decisions for our future. 

It may be difficult to figure out what to believe. I know I’ve been having a hard time with it. The never-ending news cycle, simulations, and prognostications can make it very hard to know where the truth lies. My suggestion is to focus on what we actually know. If you do that, not only will you find good news but also a path forward. We do not need to be afraid. We’ve done this before and we’ve got all we need.

Want to Change Your Health? Change Your Perspective

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Do you want to change your health? It all starts with changing your perspective.

No, I’m not going to give you mantras or affirmations, nor am I going to tell you just think positive.

What I will do is point out something that guides how we make decisions about our health that is right in front of us but is something we don’t stop and critically evaluate.

Right now the conventional thought about health is pathogenic. In other words, it’s about the factors that cause disease. This method has very distinct characteristics and principles.

In a pathogenic mindset, you are either healthy or sick. The attention is directed toward the specific diagnosis of the specific disease of the patient. The focus is also aimed at the risk factors for the disease being considered.

The starting point is the disease or problem.

Now let’s try a new mindset.

The Salutogenic mindset. The word Salutogenic comes from the Latin salus (meaning health) and the Greek genesis (meaning origin).

A Salutogenic approach to health focuses on what makes us healthy instead of what causes disease. In this approach you are not either healthy or sick, you’re on a continuum in which you are moving towards health or towards being sick.

The attention is focused on the overall state of the health/illness of a person. Instead of just looking at the risk factors of the particular disease, the focus is on where the patient is on the health spectrum.

The starting point in this approach is the health potential of each patient instead of the patient’s disease or problem.

A pathogenic approach is reactionary. Decisions are made in response to signs and symptoms of the disease.

By definition, a Salutogenic approach is a proactive approach. Decisions are made to enhance each patient’s overall well-being.

Exercise, eating well, and taking supplements are all examples of a Salutogenic approach. Another familiar example is brushing your teeth and seeing your dentist regularly. Taking care of your spine and nervous system would be a less familiar example but can be essential in helping you realize your fullest health potential.

The next time you make any decision about your health, ask yourself, am I being reactive or proactive?

Am I focused on the disease? Or am I focused on creating health?

This change in your mindset can make all the difference.

Why Feeling Dizzy, Wobbly, or Woozy Can Be a Spinal Problem

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Your balance and equilibrium is a complicated, intricate dance between three sensory systems – the vestibular, the visual, and the proprioceptive systems. The information is aggregated from these systems in your central nervous system where it is used to control the muscles in your spine and body to maintain balance.

Good information allows your body to make good adaptations to keep you feeling level and balanced. Bad information can leave you feeling wobbly, dizzy, and off-balance. Have you heard of the term garbage in, garbage out? Your body is constantly receiving information about your surrounding environment and it is important that these three sensory systems are working optimally so that the output is as good as the input.

The vestibular system is centered around your inner ear and it gives your brain information about head position. The visual system is centered around your eyes and it gives information about your body in relation to its environment. Proprioception is a sense dictated by movement detected by your skin, muscles, and joints. Have you ever wondered how you can close your eyes and touch your nose with your fingertip? (If you can’t please give us a call!) or how you can walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night in the complete dark? These things are possible because there are sensors in your skin and joints telling your brain where it is in space all of the time.

Abnormal shifts in the spine at the very top of your neck can disrupt all three of these sensory systems. This is why we use our 3-D structural analysis to detect any abnormal swaying that can indicate a problem in these areas. The very top of your neck houses important neurological connections to your eyes and ears and serves as a gateway for all of the nerves that bring proprioceptive information to the brain.

Finding solid footing means making sure your nerves are communicating properly. At Precision Chiropractic we have the technology to detect and correct abnormal shifts in your spine that cause neurological disturbances to your sensory systems.

 

Got Electrolytes? 3 Great Ways to Stay Hydrated this Summer

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Summer is in full swing and it’s hot out there!  Whether you’re going for a short walk or running a half-marathon when your body sweats it loses more than just water.  Your sweat also contains electrolytes, which are charged metallic ions that keep the pressure in our cells and the pH balance of our blood within their normal range.  The 7 major electrolytes are:

  • Sodium
  • Chloride
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Calcium
  • Phosphate
  • Bicarbonate

These electrolytes are not only important for good hydration, they keep our bodies functioning by creating a perfectly balanced environment to conduct nerve signals.  If your body’s automatic operating system (aOS) fails to work properly, it can result in the development of many health conditions.  Electrolyte imbalance can lead to muscle spasm, weakness, joint pain, anxiety, headaches, digestive issues, dizziness, heart irregularities and more.

How Do I Choose a Good Electrolyte Drink?

When it comes to choosing a drink to replenish electrolytes, the options can be overwhelming.  It’s usually best to stay away with sugar-filled and dye-laden gas station options like Gatorade or Powerade.

  1. Nuun – these easy to use and transport electrolyte tablets are made with very little sugar and simple ingredients, Nuun tablets are great to bring along and drop in a water bottle when it starts getting hot.
  2. Skratch Labs – these powdered drink mixes are great to mix into a shake or sports drink and are naturally flavored with real fruit.
  3. Make your own!  If you need to rehydrate from a day on the ball field or from feeling under the weather, this simple homemade electrolyte drink will do the trick.  Plus, it tastes great!
      • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
      • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
      • 2 cups of filtered or purified water
      • 2 T organic raw honey or maple syrup
      • 1/8 t Himalayan pink sea salt
      • Place all ingredients in a blender, blend well, and enjoy!

Staying well hydrated in the heat of the summer is important for our overall wellbeing.  These three options make it simple to get the minerals we need to keep our bodies running optimally.  Have any other favorite ways to hydrate after a fun day in the sun?  Leave us a comment below!

6 Easy & Natural Ways to Power Up Your Brain

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Having a POWERFUL brain has the ability to influence your mood, motivation, memory, and energy levels. In this article, we will talk about how to naturally improve the power of the brain by making sure you have the proper amount of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that acts as a powerful stimulator in the brain. The euphoric feeling of falling in love for the first time? That’s dopamine! The major dopamine pathways start at the base of the brain, near the brainstem. Therefore, the base of the brain is what drives and powers the rest of the brain.

Here are 6 ways you can increase your dopamine production:

  1. Increase your vitamin D levels – Vitamin D activates the release of dopamine. Find the time to play outside in the sun with your bare skin exposed (well.. not TOO Much bare skin!) Sunlight is way more effective than any vitamin D supplement.
  2. Moderate amounts of caffeine – coffee lovers rejoice!
  3. Exercise – Specifically, the kind of exercise that builds muscle. For the purposes of creating more dopamine, cardio on its own is not as effective.
  4. Cold showers – This might be the easiest way to get a jolt of dopamine, but also one where you really have to hype yourself up!
  5. Watch your sugars – Common culprits include white flour and sugar. Sneakier sources include too much fruit and fruit juices. Sugar increases insulin which suppresses dopamine.
  6. Vagal activation – The more your vagus nerve is activated, the more you will stimulate dopamine release. The vagus nerve is the control center of the autonomic nervous system, which controls your body’s automatic and life-sustaining functions. Here are a few ways to promote vagal activation:
    • Is your head on straight? Improper head and neck alignment can disturb the blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow around the base of the brain. This can lead to a decreased amount of dopamine activation. This is what we take care of in our office.
    • Deep and controlled breathing
    • Gargling water for 15-20 seconds

Do these six things to POWER-UP your brain! If you have any questions email us at [email protected] or give us a call at 970.663.1617

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