Supportive Maintenance - Chiropractic Treatment Works

Supportive Maintenance - Chiropractic treatment works!

A paper presented at the European Chiropractors' Union (ECU) convention underscores the advantages of regular chiropractic care. They looked at how chiropractic maintenance care (MC) could prevent new episodes of nonspecific low back pain or minimize its impact.

The multi-center, randomized clinical trial was conducted in Sweden, with patients provided with either treatment at regular intervals, regardless of symptoms (MC), or symptomatic treatment whereby patients were treated only when consulting for pain. The MC group was provided with chiropractic care at one to three month intervals.

This is an altogether familiar scenario, in that most patients only go for chiropractic care when they are in pain or when something is bothering them. Unfortunately, by the time a patient recognizes their pain, the problem may have been there for some time and damage has been done.  If only they would visit their chiropractor periodically, regardless of symptoms, a point the study’s results make glaringly clear:

"The MC group consisted of 163 subjects who reported 19.3 fewer days with bothersome LBP over the 12 month follow-up compared to the 154 subjects in the control group. The MC group had an average of 7 visits during the study, compared to 5 visits in the control group."

Let's Do the Math

So, here's the math for the average patient. Two extra visits to your chiropractor each year will result in almost 20 extra days without back pain. For me, that works out to about $4 per pain-free day ... I'll take it!

While monthly chiropractic care can be very beneficial, it is clear that most people should be seeing their doctor of chiropractic at least every two months or so. We all need to understand a little regular scheduling could significantly improve our quality of life. Imagine how many days of pain could be eliminated if everyone enjoyed chiropractic at least every two months.

For my whole career I have emphasized regular treatments and not chase pain. Don’t wait for small problems to become big ones. The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is supported by these types of studies.

To schedule your first appointment or a maintenance treatment, please contact Family First Chiropractic and Wellness.

Dr. Stephen Kelly is a Chiropractor at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness with over 18 years of experience,located in Red Deer, AB.

Call 403-347-3261 to book an appointment.

Gut Health and Probiotics

Gut Health and Probiotics

2,500 years ago, ancient Greek physician Hippocrates said that ‘all disease begins in the gut’. Whilst we’ve since proven that isn’t strictly true, he was certainly onto something. Most people generally have a basic-to-good understanding of the relationship between good/bad nutrition, gut health, and overall health. What may surprise you, though, is how interlinked the gut and your mental health are.

 Your gut influences around 70% of our immune system function, and 95% of our body’s serotonin is produced there too (this is the ‘happy’ hormone). If you’re eating a poor diet which is low in essential micro- and macro-nutrients such as probiotics, prebiotics and fibre, your gut biome will be disrupted, and so will all of the systems it supports. You’re likely to be more prone to sickness due to lowered immune system, and more mood and stress due to suppressed serotonin production. You’re also more likely to overreact to more nutrient-scarce food.

You are a walking, talking, microbial ecosystem. Bet you’ve never heard that one before, but it’s true! Our bodies are host to trillions of microbes, fungi and viruses living all over you both inside and out, in every nook and cranny – they actually outnumber your human cells 3 to 1. One of the most crucial colonies of microbes in our bodies lives within our gut; this is called the ‘microbiome’ or ‘microbiota’, and it helps to control your blood sugar, cholesterol, metabolism, absorption of nutrients, influences your bone strength, and supports your immune system. This microbiome is delicately balanced for gut health, but it is also super sensitive to change, disruption and imbalance.
The gut has been called ‘the second brain’, due to how closely it is linked to a wider physiology and the influence it has over it. This is in large part due to the positioning of the Vagus nerve, which run the entire length of your spine from brain to gut (this is one of the central nerves that chiropractic works to release tension on and improve communication across, too!). The neurons in our digestive systems exist in close proximity to these nerves, meaning that they are prone to influence our emotional state and vice versa. The most common example of this is the effect that stress has on the body. The ‘fight or flight’ response to stress, and all of the physiological reactions involved within that response, directly affects your microbiome and how well your gut works, which can trigger bowel issues. Such as people who suffer from IBS find that stress and/or anxiety.

So, whilst all disease may not begin in the gut, the gut certainly is very central to many of your bodily processes. Usually when something is going on in your body, your gut will be one of the first places to let you know about it. This also works in reverse; disrupting the natural balance of microbiota can have knock-on health and well being effects throughout the body. This is even true of the microbiota on your skin and elsewhere in and on your body. Important microbes can be affected by overusing antibiotics, hand sanitizers, bad diets and general ‘Western’ lifestyles.
The takeaway from this? It’s of equal importance to take excellent care of both your gut and your mental health, as they coexist in symbiosis. You cannot affect one without the other experiencing disruption.

Here are some food groups you should pay attention to in order to keep your gut in healthy balance.

Probiotics:
Where to get it: We have our own dairy and soy free product of Pure Probiotics 123 in powder, or Encapsulated. You will get probiotics from Yogurt, kimchi, miso, sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha.
Probiotics support your immune system and contribute to the health of your guts microbiome.

Prebiotics:
Where to get it: Onion, garlic, leeks, chicory, Jerusalem artichokes (prebiotic king), bananas, asparagus, olives, plums, apples, bran, and almonds.
Prebiotics stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It’s important to maintain a good balance of pro- and prebiotics, as they function in tandem with one another. Eating too much of one and neglecting the other can upset your gut (we told you it was sensitive!)

Fibre: Where to get it: fruit and vegetables, whole grains, pulses, beans and oats.
Health experts are constantly banging on about fibre, but for good reason. Fibre slows down the breakdown of sugars found in carbohydrates, which helps to stabilise your energy levels. It also helps the absorption of water in the gut so that it keeps the bowel moving at a healthy pace (which, by the way, should be at least once a day). You should be getting at least 30g of fibre a day from a variety of sources, as there are different types of fibre which hold different properties within your gut.

Cruciferous vegetables

Where to get it: Broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts, cabbage, turnips, collards, kale, bok choy.
Cruciferous vegetables (brassicas) contain sulforaphane, which is a plant chemical currently being investigated for its anti-inflammatory properties.


For more information on gut health, or to schedule an appointment, please contact Family First Chiropractic and Wellness.

Dr. Elton Clemence is a Chiropractor at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, located In Red Deer, AB 142 Erickson Dr ,www.family1stchiro.ca 403-347-3261 to book an appointment.

Small changes, big benefits

Did you know that small change in your life can have massive benefits in many different ways, both in short and long term? It takes 30 days to make a habit, or change to a new behaviour. It’s only 30 days that’s not so long is it?

So instead of trying to make big life changes in one day. Try starting one thing. Just one behaviour or action that you are doing every day that you would like to change in order to become a better person or live a healthier life.

Here are some examples of some small changes;

·        Feeling stressed in the morning? If so get up 5 minutes earlier than you usually do. This can help you to not start the day in a rush!

·        Drink water instead of fuzzy drinks.

·        Here’s an oldie, but a goodie. Walk or cycle to work or to the local grocery store instead of taking the car.

·        Skip that afternoon everyday Grande Caffe Latte. This will save you $3.65 a day or $18.25 in a five day work week. Through the year this small change will save you a whooping $876. Health wise you won’t be consuming that 200 calories a day.

Small changes lead to saving money and health benefits. So what small change will you make?

Dr. Elton Clemence practices at Family First Chiropractic located at 142 Erickson drive in Red Deer. Call us today to book an appointment (403)347-3261 or visit us at www.family1stchiro.ca

Music and Massage

                

Zen meditation is one of my favorites to play, while giving a massage. It helps the client relax and become more calm while receiving a massage. I also find that it helps balance and centers them as well. It can also help with children and calming them down when it is their first massage.

   

There are many benefits of listening to relaxing music while receiving a massage. With playing relaxing zen music it helps benefit you in many different ways. From increasing your positive hormones, to reducing stress, improving brain functions, calming your heart rate, and enhance pleasure experience. 

Relaxing music is also great for feeling as though you have slept throughout your massage. Each person responds differently to music types to help them relax.        

Nichole Mullis, RMT. Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta. 403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca.

Exercise should be enjoyed not painful.

Exercise should be enjoyed not painful.

Working out for personal gain or overall health and wellness can be rewarding. However, over training or over stretching can lead to injury. This is anything but gain or healthy, instead it creates setback or even take you out of training completely. There is no need to suffer to the point of disliking the workout or dreading the next one. I agree we need to push ourselves to overcome fitness plateaus, but exercise should be less about pain and more about fun.

Here are some tips to make your workouts more enjoyable:

Ø  Choose a fitness program you like and can fit your schedule- You have the option to choose your fitness path. With so many styles of training and workout programs one can choose and personalize their own training programs to suit their goals. Programs that focus on core and strength training are recommended.

Ø  Focus on a balanced Lifestyle - It’s good to be determined in achieving your goals. However, becoming obsessed with your workouts can leave you drained and even injured.

Ø  Change your mindset - Exercise is about personal well-being, which is body and mind fitness. Unnecessary mental stress to get fit leads to being counterproductive. Attitude should be towards making it a fulfilling journey and not being a serious no fun policy.

Ø  Inspire to confidence - Seeing changes in your mind and body should be an inspirational thought, which adds confidence.

Avoiding pain and injury during your workout:

No pain no gain motto should not lead to injury and/or take you out of the fitness program altogether. So here are some guidelines to help you avoid injury.

Ø Warm up before your workouts and cool down after - It’s best to do light cardio before stretching then stretch. Stretching without warming up could lead to injury. More intense workouts should end with a cool down consisting of light cardio and then end with stretching.

Ø Use logic and listen to your body - Don’t run before you can walk. Going from inactivity to strenuous exercise could lead to injury. It’s healthy to be competitive and have enthusiasm to achieve fitness goals. However, it’s more effective to learn how to exercises properly and consistently. Finally, listen to your body: If it hurts Stop. Pushing through pain again can lead to injury and takes the fun out of your fitness journey.

Talk to the experts. They can help you start your workout program, guide you to work out properly and most importantly help you to achieve your personal goals. In addition, use your Chiropractor to help you get the most out of your exercise regime.

Dr. Elton Clemence is a Chiropractor at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, located In Red Deer, AB 142 Erickson Dr ,www.family1stchiro.ca 403-347-3261 to book an appointment.

Innate intelligence

Innate intelligence 

Much of our health care system has been based on the Germ Theory, which simply speaking says that germs cause disease and if we kill the bad germs we will get healthy. We now know that this theory is flawed. Our attempt to wipe out "bugs" has created an assault on our immune systems, leads to a minimum of 10,000 deaths per year, according to The Telegraph and has created a generation of dangerous "Superbugs" that threaten the well-being of society. 

The Interference Principle brings a different and realistic perspective to health, sickness and dis-ease and affirms that 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!

Understanding The Interference Principle will help you maximize your ability to heal from injuries and health problems and achieve optimum health and peak performance levels. The Interference Principle is comprised of the following scientific and philosophical premises that should be applied to the health care and lifestyle of you and your loved ones.

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 to Remove Interference
Adjustments to remove interference from your spine, nervous system and lifestyle can improve your health and quality of life dramatically. A chiropractic examination can determine if you, or your loved ones, have interference in your spine and nervous system - whether symptoms are present or not. Keeping your body free from interference as a part of your lifestyle can help it heal quickly, stabilize,  regenerate and achieve optimum health and peak performance levels for a lifetime.

Dr. Elton Clemence is in Red Deer, Alberta at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson Dr, www.family1stchiro.ca 403-347-3261 to book an appointment. 

Why Should I Have CranioSacral Therapy

Why should I have CranioSacral Therapy?

1. Some people come because they feel as though they aren’t coping and that life is very difficult. CranioSacral Therapy can often be a last resort after many years of struggle.

2.      Some people come because they have long standing health issues which make it very difficult to cope. CranioSacral Therapy can help relieve the emotional and physical side-effects of living with long term illness or pain and can support the body in its natural movement towards health.

3. Some people come because they have experienced traumatic events that they cannot move past. CranioSacral Therapy is a very safe, gentle and effective way of treating trauma and post-traumatic states.
4. Some people come because they are incredibly stressed and anxious and can’t seem to find any relief from a very busy mind. CranioSacral Therapy is especially good at encouraging a very deep sense of stillness allowing the mind slow down and rest. Many people say they sleep very well after a craniosacral treatment.
5. Some people come because they just need to be held and listened to. The most important thing a CranioSacral Therapist does is to simply be present for the client and hold the therapeutic space allowing the client’s process to unfold naturally.

 To learn more about CranioSacral Therapy or to book an appointment with Jeannette call 403-347-3261. Family First Chiropractic, Red Deer. family1stchiro.ca

Side Effect from Smoking

Side effects from smoking:

Cigarettes cause wrinkles: Why the wrinkly face? Smoking hampers the blood supply that keeps skin tissue looking supple and healthy.

Thinner hair

As if the wrinkly skin wasn’t enough, smoking hurts your hair too. Experts think the toxic chemicals in smoke can damage the DNA in hair follicles and generate cell-damaging free radicals as well.  The end result? Smokers have thinner hair that tends to go gray sooner than nonsmokers. That is, if they have any hair at all. Dementia and neurologic diseases
People who smoke a pack a day have almost two and a half times the risk of stroke as non-smokers. The best current research suggesting that smoking makes little difference in the risk for Alzheimer's, and if it does, the risk for dementia is slightly higher in smokers. Certainly, smoking can affect blood vessels in the brain as it does in the heart, increasing the risk for dementia from small or major strokes.

Female infertility and pregnancy
Studies have now linked cigarette smoking to many reproductive problems. Women who smoke pose a greater danger not only to their own reproductive health but, if they smoke during pregnancy, to their unborn child. Some of these risks include the following:
Greater risk for infertility in women. Greater risk for ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage.
Greater risk for stillbirth, prematurity, and low-birth weight. Smoking reduces folate levels, a B vitamin that is important for preventing birth defects.
Women who smoke may pass genetic mutations that increase cancer risks to their unborn babies.

Effects on bones and joints
Smoking has many negative effects on bones and joints: Smoking impairs formation of new bone and women who smoke are at high risk for osteoporosis.
Postmenopausal women who smoke have 17% greater risk for hip fracture at age 60, a 41% greater risk at 70, and a 108% greater risk at age 90.
Smokers are more apt to develop degenerative disorders and injuries in the spine.
Smokers have more trouble recovering from spinal surgery.
Smokers whose jobs involve lifting heavy objects are more likely to develop low back pain than non-smokers.
In women, smoking may also pose a small increased risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Behavioural and Social Problems

Children of smoking mothers are more likely to have more motor control problems, perception impairments, attention disabilities, and social problems than children of non-smoking mothers. Some reasons for these associations have been suggested:

Women who breast feed and smoke pass nicotine by-products to their babies, which may contribute to these problems.

Women smokers tend to be less educated than women non-smokers, which may cause increased stress at home.

Smoking mothers and their children may share certain inherited psychologic factors, such as depression, which cause addictive and behavioural problems that are unrelated to smoking itself.

Mom and Baby and the journey into parenthood

All moms want the best for their children.  We will do anything for our children, often forgetting our own needs.  I often see mothers bring in their baby or child with problems hoping that I can help.  I love treating children because we often see results quickly, if not immediately.  I tell parents the sooner you bring your child in for a treatment the better.  The thing we often forget as adults is to treat ourselves.  The stress of taking care of a newborn or sick child reflects in our bodies as well.  Giving birth is a traumatic experience, not only for the baby, but for the mother as well.  I like to recommend to new moms to try and find at least an hour to give to yourself to help release some of the trauma of birth.  Your child will benefit from your treatment as well.  At the very least CranioSacral therapy will help you relax and get your body to heal faster.  You will be a better and more relaxed mom for it. All our practitioners at Family First Chiropractic are there to support you and your needs in motherhood. Jeannette Raskin CST, RMT, Dr. Joelle Johnson and Dr. Stephen Kelly are located at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer,
T4R 2c3
www.family1stchiro.ca
403-347-3261 to book an appointment today!

Reasons to quit Smoking....

There are many other good reasons to quit smoking:

• You'll set a good example for your children
• Your smoking will no longer affect the health of people around you
• You'll have more money to save or to spend on other things - a pack of cigarettes a day adds up to more than $3000 a year!
• You'll have more energy to do the things you love
• You'll pay lower life insurance premiums
• Cigarettes will no longer control your life
• Fungicides and pesticides -- Cause many types of cancers and birth defects.
• Cadmium -- Linked to lung and prostate cancer.
• Benzene -- Linked to leukemia.
• Formaldehyde -- Linked to lung cancer.
• Nickel -- Causes increased susceptibility to lung infections.
• ·         There are more than 4,000 ingredients in a cigarette other than tobacco. Common additives include yeast, wine, caffeine, beeswax and chocolate. Here are some other ingredients:   Ammonia: Household cleaner
  Angelica root extract: Known to cause cancer in animals
  Arsenic: Used in rat poisons
  Benzene: Used in making dyes, synthetic rubber
  Butane: Gas; used in lighter fluid
  Carbon monoxide: Poisonous gas
  Cadmium: Used in batteries
  Cyanide: Deadly poison
  DDT: A banned insecticide
  Ethyl Furoate: Causes liver damage in animals
  Lead: Poisonous in high doses
  Formaldehiyde: Used to preserve dead specimens
  Methoprene: Insecticide
  Megastigmatrienone: Chemical naturally found in grapefruit juice
  Maltitol: Sweetener for diabetics
  Napthalene: Ingredient in mothballs
  Methyl isocyanate: Its accidental release killed 2000 people in Bhopal, India in 1984
  Polonium: Cancer-causing radioactive element

Other benefits
Less stress
Once they have stopped smoking for a few months, heavy smokers tend to rate themselves as less stressed
There is evidence that nicotine, far from helping relieve stress, may actually cause it in smokers.
It's thought smokers go into nicotine withdrawal between cigarettes, and it's the satisfaction of the nicotine craving that creates the perception of stress-relief.
More time

The extra time you gain is an advantage that comes as a surprise to many smokers.
Most people don't think about the amount of time and energy they devote to worrying about where and when to buy tobacco, buying it, going to smoke and smoking.
Sense of achievement

It's incredibly satisfying to set a goal and then achieve it, particularly when the journey is a difficult one and you've had to overcome obstacles.

Many ex-smokers are rightly proud of their achievement in staying quit, and this feeling of success can be great for your self-esteem
During the early days and weeks of your quit, it's a good idea to set realistic goals instead of thinking 'I must quit now and forever', just say to yourself 'I'm not going to smoke at all today'.
You can increase your motivation if you reward yourself at lots of milestones along the way – for example reaching one day quit, then three, then a week, two weeks, a month, etc. Many small victories will build your confidence.

Gaining control

One of the most difficult things about stopping smoking is learning how to resist the urge to smoke.

When you first stop you'll find cravings come regularly and can be intense, but usually disappear within a couple of minutes.

Craving is a bit like a well-developed muscle – once you stop using the muscle, it will eventually wither or shrink. You help this process every time you conquer a craving.

By learning to cope with cravings, you win on all fronts: the cravings subside and you start to regain control over your addiction.

A new side to your personality

Giving up smoking can uncover new aspects of your personality.

As part of understanding what triggers the urge to smoke, many smokers end up with a better idea of what makes them stressed, angry, happy or bored.

Learning to handle new situations and overcoming obstacles can also help you develop personally.

Brought to you By the Staff and Practitioners at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson drive
ww.family1stchiro.ca
403-347-3261

If You Want to Live Longer—Get Moving!

High-intensity interval-type training also boosts human growth hormone (HGH) production, which is also essential for optimal health, strength and vigor. Make sure you have regular chiropractic treatment to optimize your health and wellness.

If you've ever been wondering if somebody will ever come up with some tricks for living a longer, happier, healthier life, there's good news: Read this, beginning with chronic inflammation.^.

Chronic inflammation is the source of many diseases, including cancer, obesity, and heart disease, which essentially makes it the leading cause of death in the U.S. and Canada.  To address that issue, Best Health offers a range of strategies that will help you live a longer, healthier life. The Importance of Combating Chronic InflammationInflammation is a normal and beneficial process that occurs when your body's white blood cells and chemicals protect you from foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. You actually need some level of inflammation in your body to stay healthy, however it's also possible, and increasingly common, for the inflammatory response to get out of hand. If your immune system mistakenly triggers an inflammatory response when no threat is present, it can lead to excess inflammation in your body, a condition linked to asthma, allergies, autoimmune disease, heart disease, cancer and other diseases, depending on which organs the inflammation is impacting. Unfortunately, chronic inflammation typically will not produce symptoms until actual loss of function occurs somewhere. This is because chronic inflammation is low-grade and systemic, often silently damaging your tissues over an extended period of time. This process can go on for years without you noticing, until a disease suddenly sets in.Diet accounts for about 80 percent of the health benefits you reap from a healthful lifestyle, and keeping inflammation in check is a major part of these benefits. It's important to realize that dietary components can either trigger or prevent inflammation from taking root in your body. For example, whereas trans fats and sugar, particularly fructose, will increase inflammation, eating healthy fats such as animal-based omega-3 fats found in krill oil, or the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA) will help to reduce them. If you have not already addressed your diet, this would be the best place to start, regardless of whether you're experiencing symptoms of chronic inflammation or not.  Diet is not the only component that will have a profound impact on your health and longevity. It's really about addressing your total lifestyle.
This information is brought to you by Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson drive, Red Deer 403-347-3261
www.family1stchiro.ca