Precision Chiropractic

NeuroStructural Chiropractor

upper cervical

“I Wish”

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What are some of the biggest regrets that people share when they are on their deathbeds? 

At one point or another, we will reflect back on our lives and we will ask “What could I have done better or differently?”

The most common regrets are: 

-I wish I didn’t care so much about what other people thought
-I wish I took more advantage of my opportunities
-I wish I didn’t wait to start until “tomorrow”
-I wish I would have kept going
-I wish I didn’t work so hard
-I wish I told the people that I loved how I felt
-I wish I took better care of my body

This comes from a very common human thought. We believe that we have more time than we actually do. We believe that we have more chances than we actually do. 

While this can seem overwhelming and in many ways it is, we can combat this by starting now.  Make one better decision today than yesterday. Look at each day as an opportunity.

Then instead of looking back with regret, we are looking back with joy and appreciation. 

Rob Bell, a speaker and former pastor, tells us we should look at each day as a gift. 

A gift to make our lives better. A gift to reconnect with our loved ones. A gift to make a different choice. 

Let’s not waste this day so we’re able to say “I did!” instead of “I wish”.

The Balancing Act: How Long Can You Stand on One Leg?

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As we journey through life, maintaining our physical health becomes increasingly vital. While many factors contribute to our overall well-being, one simple yet remarkable test can provide valuable insights into our fitness as we age—the single-leg stand. Yes, it may seem like a basic balance exercise, but don’t let its simplicity fool you. The single-leg stand holds the key to understanding our body’s resilience and can be a powerful measure of our health as we gracefully traverse the sands of time.

The Art of Balance: Mastering the art of balance is a fundamental aspect of human movement. It enables us to navigate the world with grace, confidence, and stability. From the moment we take our first steps as children to the challenges we encounter in our golden years, balance is an indispensable ally.

The Test: The single-leg stand test is straightforward: stand on one leg for as long as you can, maintaining stability and proper form. It may seem like child’s play, but as we age, it becomes an invaluable tool for assessing our physical condition. Research has shown that the duration of a single leg stand can correlate with overall health, revealing potential deficiencies or warning signs that may go unnoticed in our day-to-day lives.

The Health Connection: So, how does this simple test relate to our health? The single-leg stand relies on the integration of various systems in our body, including muscular strength, joint stability, proprioception, and even cognitive function. When we stand on one leg, we challenge our muscles, bones, and nervous system to work harmoniously, demanding coordination and strength.

  1. Muscular Strength and Endurance: A successful single-leg stand necessitates adequate muscle strength and endurance, particularly in the lower limbs. Strong leg muscles, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles, ensure stability and control during the test. Weakness or imbalances in these muscle groups may indicate potential weaknesses or injury risks.
  2. Joint Stability: Healthy joints are crucial for maintaining balance and stability. The single-leg stand test places stress on the ankles, knees, and hips, requiring them to remain steady and aligned. Reduced joint stability can indicate underlying issues, such as arthritis or ligament weaknesses, which may compromise our overall mobility.
  3. Proprioception and Balance: Proprioception refers to our body’s awareness of its position and movement in space. It allows us to adjust our posture and respond to external forces, playing a pivotal role in maintaining balance. The single-leg stand challenges our proprioceptive abilities, highlighting any deficits that may result from age-related changes or neurological conditions.
  4. Cognitive Function: Surprisingly, the single-leg stand test has also been linked to cognitive health. Studies suggest that the ability to balance on one leg may reflect cognitive abilities such as attention, concentration, and executive function. Difficulty in maintaining balance during the test could be an early sign of cognitive decline or an underlying neurological condition.

A Barometer for Health: By incorporating the single-leg stand into our regular fitness routine, we can actively monitor our health as we age. Research points to 10 seconds as a good benchmark to work towards. Gradual improvements or steady maintenance of our balance time indicate that we’re on the right track.

While the single-leg stand may appear deceptively simple, it holds profound significance as a measure of our health as we age. By consistently practicing and monitoring our balance capabilities, we can gain insights into our muscular strength, joint stability, proprioception, and even cognitive function. The GREAT news is that upper cervical chiropractic care helps with ALL of these factors! Embrace the art of balance, and let the single-leg stand be your guide on the path to a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Foramen Magnum – The “Big Hole”

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Today we are going to talk about the foramen magnum – literally translated as “the big hole.” This big hole is located at the bottom of your skull and it is where your spinal cord and brain connect in an area called the brainstem. This big hole is the gateway between your skull and spine. Besides the brainstem, there are also two vertebral arteries that pass through this area, and it also serves as the drainage route for the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) produced in the brain.

Let’s just say there is a lot of important physiological traffic happening in and around this big hole!

This is why ensuring alignment between the skull and the spine is so important. Any MISalignment will decrease the proper spacing for all this traffic to flow through and as a result, cause physiological damage and failure. 

Another great reason to keep your head on straight!

The Power of Omega-3 Supplements for Optimal Health

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Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients for human health. They play a crucial role in brain function, heart health, and reducing inflammation in the body. Unfortunately, most people don’t get enough omega-3s from their diet, and this is why a high-quality supplement can help.

Here are some of the benefits of taking omega-3 supplements:

  1. Supports heart health: Omega-3s are known to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure, reducing triglycerides, and preventing the formation of blood clots.
  2. Reduces inflammation: Chronic inflammation is linked to several health problems like arthritis, cancer, and heart disease. Omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the body.
  3. Supports brain health: Omega-3s are crucial for brain health and development, and they may reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
  4. May improve mood: Omega-3s may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by improving brain function and reducing inflammation in the body.
  5. Promotes healthy skin: Omega-3s help keep the skin hydrated and may reduce the risk of acne, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.

Overall, taking an omega-3 supplement can be a simple and effective way to improve your health and well-being. It’s important to note that not all omega-3 supplements are created equal, and it is essential to choose a high-quality supplement from a reputable source. If your current fish oil supplements give you the dreaded “fish burps” chances are the oil is rancid. We can help you with that.

Slow Fix

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Is there such a thing as a quick fix when we are talking about our health? 

How many miracle cures and pills have we seen? How many diet fads have come and gone? 

It is human nature to want things to happen quickly with the least amount of effort. But let’s look around at Mother Nature and see what she has to say:

Nine months for a baby to be born. 

Seven years for our body to replace each cell. 

Up to 10 years before some cancers, such as ovarian, can be detected.

Nine months to two years for fibrous tissues like tendons and ligaments to fully heal. 

Healing from dis-ease is a process that takes time. When we want to be healthy we must work with the healing process, not try to bypass it. 

This is where a lot of us get it wrong. We think we got sick at the moment when the symptoms show up, so we believe the solution ought to be just as swift.

The truth is each takes time – both the development of the illness or condition AND its resolution.

The question then lies in how you choose to spend this time. Is it going toward grasping at straws in hopes of a quick fix or toward actually fostering a solution?

Do You Have a Dirty Mind?

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The brain is the most complex part of the human body. This three-pound organ is the seat of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and controller of behavior. Lying in its bony shell and washed by protective fluid, the brain is the source of all the qualities that define our humanity.

As a result, the brain is highly metabolically active. It requires glucose, minerals, vitamins, and oxygen to operate at its highest level. 

This is how our brains can get dirty. The metabolic processes in our brain create chemical waste and proteins that can clump together and become toxic. 

The good news is that we have an internal sewage system that is designed to wash away these harmful proteins. It’s called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the Glymphatic system. The cerebrospinal fluid is created in the deepest part of the brain, the ventricles, and as it flows outwards it picks up and cleans out the metabolic waste and proteins. As it flows outwards with each cardiac cycle, it washes brain tissue until it finally flows out of the skull and is absorbed into the Glymphatic system, a close cousin to the lymphatic system. 

Here is where we come in. When you have an Atlas misalignment outflow of CSF from your skull can be clogged. This can increase intracranial pressure and cause symptoms such as headaches and visual disturbances. Furthermore, when the metabolic waste lingers because it is not being cleaned out efficiently, you can see symptoms such as brain fog and dizziness. 

Keeping your head on straight can keep your brain from getting dirty! Amazing!

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