Improve your Golf with Chiropractic

It’s been called the “gentleman’s game,” but more and more women are joining in as well. It's the perfect game for networking or negotiating important business deals. It's a game that, when you hit that perfect shot, fills you with joy and satisfaction. It's also a game that, with the wrong shot can send you smashing up a tree with your golf-club on the 17th green. 

So… how can chiropractic care help you to improve your golf game?

• Many golfers suffer from chronic low back pain. Back pain responds exceptionally well to chiropractic adjustments, increasing mobility and range of motion.
• Chiropractic care can help to improve posture and flexibility, two components of longer and more powerful drives.
• We become less flexible with age and immobility (working at a desk job, sitting in a car driving everyday) contributes to that as well. Swinging a golf club requires collaboration on the part of many joints from the feet up to the hands, including ankles, knees, hips, spine, elbows and wrists. Lack of flexibility contributes to many repetitive motion injuries in the joints. Chiropractic care attempts to address, correct and prevent joint injuries.
• Chiropractic care helps to improve proprioception. Proprioception is the sense of relative position of different body parts. We need good proprioception in order to co-ordinate movements such a bending, turning... and yes, hitting that troublesome tee shot. 
• When combined with stretching and corrective exercises, chiropractic care is a cost effective, all-natural way to improve mobility… which translates to consistency during the four – five hours it takes to play 18 holes.

Fancy new high-tech clubs, shoes with the right spikes and the latest golf attire do nothing to improve your game. However, increased flexibility and mobility can certainly improve your golf score. Just ask the pros – nearly 75% of them receive regular chiropractic care while on tour each year.

Jeffry H. Blanchard, golf professional and author of The Geometry of Golf stated, “The chiropractor is the perfect choice to evaluate, educate, treat, condition and train those who choose to play golf.”

Paper Clip

If we passed an electrical current around a closed circuit to a lightbulb, the light bulb would come on. Put a break somewhere in the circuit and it will not. It's as simple as that. 

As you can see from the left portion of the picture below, the alignment of this 'circuit' is key in order for the energy to flow correctly.

In your body, the energy of your brain is conducted via electrical signals down the spinal cord and out through the nerve roots that exit between every one of your 24 vertebrae.

When your spine is 'worn-out' 'kinked' or 'bent' out of its normal alignment, then there is an increase in pressure upon one or more of these spinal nerves. Just like a circuit breaker, you get a power-cut. Power to your muscles, skin and joints is lost, sometimes even for just a split second, long enough to cause significant tissue injury as well as pain. 

So, next time you go to lift something fairly insignificant and your 'back goes', it was most likely the break in your spinal circuit that caused it. 

Back to Wellness Chiropractic Ltd

Eastbourne

www.backtowellness.co.uk

Physiological benefits of hugging

It comes so naturally to us all to want to hug and hold those that we love. We hug our partners, our children, our closest friends. Hugging someone we love is an affectionate, warm, protective and supportive thing to do. And if that wasn't a good enough reason to have a cuddle, it now appears that scientists have discovered several health benefits that occur as a result.

Reduces symptoms of depression

According to research, four hugs a day with someone we care about can help prevent depression. Getting a hug translates emotionally into feeling loved and accepted while giving a hug is a healthy expression of one’s feelings.

Hugging after a fight or disagreement helps negativity dissolve faster, thus reducing the levels of stress and anxiety that would otherwise linger on. Twelve hugs a day is even better, particularly in children where such an act contributes significantly to their psychological development.

Sleep

Stress and anxiety are often accompanied by irregular sleeping patterns and even insomnia. Hugging someone you love or sleeping in their hug can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy a deeper sleep.

Happiness

The feeling that we get when we hug with our loved ones is the result of a hormone called oxytocin. When we get closer with someone we love, oxytocin is produced and it makes us feel content and relaxed.

Healthy relationships   

When we hug our love partner, our body releases serotonin and dopamine. These two hormones are the ones responsible for this “over the moon” feeling we get when we are in love. Hugging with your partner often can prolong the honeymoon phase, making you get along easier and leading to a balanced relationship with more understanding.

Happy babies    

According to a study published by the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, babies that are hugged, touched and kissed often since the moment of their birth grow up to be calm and happy toddlers with much lower stress compared with babies who have not been hugged frequently.

Pain relief

A small scale University of California study proved that holding the hand of a loved one can help women tolerate pain more than when holding the hand of a stranger or an inanimate object.

Regulated blood pressure

A hug from anyone can usually warm our hearts. But for people with heart conditions and high blood pressure, hugging can even be a life-saver. It has been shown that hugging and holding hands can help lower blood pressure, which is a significant help to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Healing

Haemoglobin, the protein of the blood that carries oxygen to our tissues is increased when we hug. This means that more oxygen is transported to our tissues, leading to a faster healing process and a better oxygenation of our organs, including the brain and heart.

So there you have it, there is no need to hold back on all those hugs, go on and hug your family, your friends and your partners. Show them that you love them and care for them. The health benefits you'll each enjoy are just a welcome bonus

Back to Wellness Chiropractic Ltd

Eastbourne

www.backtowellness.co.uk

Healing with the brakes on

Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels when it comes to staying healthy? 

You eat right, exercise five days a week and try to get enough sleep – you've got the 'pedal to the metal' when it comes to staying fit, but something's holding you back. Maybe it's time to pay more attention to your Nervous System.

Although you've got one foot on the gas, Subluxations can put the brakes on your progress.

Subluxations are troublesome misalignments in your spine that irritate your Nervous System and rob you of potential health energy. The effect is like trying to drive with your brakes on. You've got your fitness throttle wide open, but you're going nowhere fast.

If you want to stop spinning your wheels when it comes to your health then why not prioritize your spinal care. When it comes to unleashing more 'health horsepower', nothing releases the brakes quite like Chiropractic.

The Sunshine Vitamin of Life

Over the last two decades doctors have been reporting the dangers associated with the sun. Over the same two decades the level of disease has exploded. Even with all the medical breakthroughs there have been, we are more unhealthy than we have ever been; Cancer is at an all time high, heart disease is the number one killer, obesity rates are growing higher and higher in both adults and children. Every year we are advised to take an ever-increasing number of drugs and vaccines to combat flu viruses and colds, and yet, these same doctors are bashing the most natural and potent disease fighter that we have; Vitamin D.

Vitamin D3 in its natural form comes from sunlight. If you live in an area where the sun is out almost everyday then this is the best way to get your Vitamin D3. Just 20-30 minutes in the sun is all it takes to build up your stores for the next 48hrs. The sunlight is absorbed into the layers of skin where it is transformed into the life-giving vitamin D3, and then it is distributed throughout the body via the blood stream.

Vitamin D3 affects over 3000 of the 6000 pieces of your DNA. Vitamin D3 is great for reducing inflammation, building and maintaining bones, supporting your immune system, improving your mood, rejuvenating skin and keeping the bowels cleaned and healthy. People who have adequate levels of D3 are at a lower risk developing rheumatism or multiple sclerosis. By adding more D3 to the diet symptoms of asthma have been found to be lowered. Vitamin D3, in general, supports the living functions of your body and promotes healing. It is the Vitamin of Life.

To get vitamin D3 from the sun, you don't need to lay around. It's funny how we think we have to be laying still. If you are walking to work or riding your bicycle on a sunny day, you will still be absorbing Vitamin D3 from the sun. For some people getting vitamin D might mean taking your lunch outdoors and eating in the park, or taking a walk on your lunch break. If the sunlight is touching your skin, then your body will be producing Vitamin D3. Remember, sunblock blocks all the UV light and prevents vitamin D3 production in your skin. So don't wear sunblock straight away. Ensure you get at least 20 minutes of sun before you cover up.

Fifteen years ago, doctors waged an all out war declaring how bad direct sunlight was for the skin, calling it the preemptor of cancer. While we must be careful not to to exceed a healthy level of sunshine, we must also be careful not to be afraid of a vital nutrient we need in order to function properly. Studies actually demonstrate that the more sunlight people have, the lower the risk they have of developing all forms of cancer except for skin cancer. Obviously if the skin is burnt from too much UV light then you can expect to increase your risk of skin damage and potential melanoma. Balance is the key! 

But what if you live in a climate that offers very little sunshine? And what if you work in an occupation that keeps you indoors throughout the sunshine hours? These situations mean that you will need to supplement your Vitamin D with an oral Vitamin D3 capsule. These are easily found in health food stores. It is recommended that we take approximately 3000-5000 I.U(International Units) per day.

Everyone should be somewhat concerned about how much Vitamin D3 they are getting because it is essential for good health. Of course, all things in moderation is the rule, so don't overdo the sun, but don't neglect it's health benefits either.


Back to Wellness Chiropractic Ltd
Eastbourne
www.backtowellness.co.uk

Junk in = Junk out

Or in other words:

What you put into your body counts for a lot more than you might think. Your body uses the raw materials from your diet to perform every bodily function there is, including Healing, Fighting Infection, Growth, Reproduction, Sensation, Digestion, Movement, Gene Regulation and so on.

We require the right quantity, but also the right quality of those materials to help us complete these functions effectively. When we do not provide our bodies with the right quality or quantity of vital nutrients then disease ultimately sets in. 

Take building a house for example. You could scrimp on materials and use card board boxes if you wished, but it wouldn't be the sturdiest of dwellings. Build it out of concrete and steel and you've got something to stand back and be proud of. 

The materials you body requires for health includes; clean water, fruits, vegetables, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, live enzymes/probiotics, healthy fats, plenty of plant based proteins, minimal animal protein and a healthy amount of complex carbohydrate.

Does your diet sound anything like this?   

Eating for health involves eating natural food in a natural way. Ask yourself - 'would our ancestors have foraged for a loaf of bread, a block of cheese and a bag of monster munch? Probably not. 

Instead they would have eaten foods congruent with their bodies, hand picked from nature. Of course the diet I am referring to is known as the Paleo Diet or the Innate Diet.

Here are some great recipes: http://www.elanaspantry.com/paleo-diet-recipes/

So, if you want to eat right then eat more like a caveman; Natural, non-processed, non-toxic and completely organic food.

Back to Wellness Chiropractic Ltd

Eastbourne

www.backtowellness.co.uk

Healing like the Stock Market

Most people believe that healing is a linear occurrence. A straight, even, upwards line of improvement. But that is not actually the case. In fact very few things in life progress in such a perfect linear way. Like trying to lose weight consistently each week, every week, you’ve got to expect some ups and downs along the way. Lose a couple of pounds here, gain a pound there.

You might experience a surge of relief when you first start your Chiropractic care only to be followed by a setback. Soon you’re back on track, seeing huge improvements. Progress continues with bouts of highs and lows, and you may even experience a plateau or dip in your improvements. But don’t make the mistake of ‘pulling out of the market’ early.

Keep the big picture in mind. Like stocks, the gains in Chiropractic care are best seen over time. When you look back and see how far you’ve come since your first visit, you’ll realise the 'health dividends' are paying off.

Back to Wellness Chiropractic Ltd

Eastbourne

www.backtowellness.co.uk

101 Ways to get Subluxated

#33 - Carrying bricks on your head

"Hey doc, my neck’s sore and I’ve been getting these bad headaches. Think it could be my pillow?"

The father of Chiropractic, D.D. Palmer recognised 3 ‘T’s as being the major causes of nerve interference (aka Subluxation or poor spinal function): These include Trauma, Toxins and Thoughts. 

The first ‘T’, Trauma is a pretty obvious cause of a physical problem, but many patients overlook the last two. TOXINS come in the form of pesticides, artificial additives in our food, cigarette smoke and the most common of all, pharmaceuticals (yes, drugs are foreign to the body and put added stress on your nervous system). 

Constant THOUGHTS of fear, worry and depression can also weaken your sensitive nervous system and make it harder to heal. Ever heard people describe people and situations as "Getting on my nerves" or "A pain in the neck". They are not just metaphors. For each person, to varying degrees, these descriptions are literally true. Emotional tension causes physical tension. No wonder your neck gets so stiff when your stuck in traffic!

Many patients believe it’s only physical things like car accidents, bad pillows and the occasional ‘100lbs of bricks stacked on the head’ that can cause nerve interference, when in reality it’s the daily bombardment of hidden food toxins and stressful thoughts that commonly do a great deal of the damage.

Back to Wellness Chiropractic Ltd

Eastbourne

www.backtowellness.co.uk

Hammering your spine

Hammer a straight nail and it drives right into the wood. Hammer a bent one, and it bends even more. 

The same principle applies to your spine. A properly aligned spine can withstand the forces you encounter every day (like lifting, standing, bending and twisting). Put an ‘kink’ in that spine (subluxation), and instead of withstanding those forces, your spine succumbs to them – turning normal everyday activities like doing the housework, exercising or playing with your kids into occasions for injury, discomfort and disability.

Structural integrity begets normal function. When it comes to strength and performance, your spine needs to be in proper alignment to get any job done safely and pain free. 

So keep your spine in shape with regular Chiropractic care and you'll protect yourself from life’s daily hammering.

Back to Wellness Chiropractic Ltd

Eastbourne

www.backtowellness.co.uk

Egg Box

Check your eggs....

How many times have you slipped, knocked, jarred or bumped yourself and not given it a second thought? Maybe that tumble bruised only your pride leaving no outward sign of injury. 

What happened to you on the inside however could be a different story, and here is where the egg box comes in. 

I often ask my patients, "What is the first thing that you do when you pick up your eggs at the supermarket?". The patient will usually go silent and look at me blankly or stare at me like I have lost my mind.

"You  CHECK THEM" I say. The penny then drops and they understand that I am trying to use an analogy not make random conversation about egg shopping.   

You wouldn't buy a carton of eggs based solely on the box looking intact, but instead we base our decision on how the eggs themselves appear inside.

Chiropractors are trained to assess and care for dysfunction of the spine which can be described as a SUBLUXATION (A word meaning 'misaligned vertebrae that interferes with nerve function, and silently diminish health'). We are trained to do this irrespective of whether you have symptoms or not, in the very same way that you would check your eggs.

Back to Wellness Chiropractic Ltd

Eastbourne

www.backtowellness.co.uk

Look after your Spine in the same way that you'd look after your Ferrari... If you had one!

Anyone with a Ferrari would consider it to be one of their most valuable possessions. The owner would keep it immaculately clean both in and out. Only the best cleaning products would be used. They would service the car regularly. They would drive it with as much care as one would hold a newborn baby. And should repairs be needed, that same owner would be sure to invest in making whatever was wrong, right.

At the end of the day however, the Ferrari, as beautiful as it appears, is just a car!

Without an owner fit and healthy enough to bend, twist and sit, the value of a Ferrari to its owner becomes massively depreciated. If you're too stiff to bend, in too much pain to sit, or too numb to feel your foot on the pedals, then it really doesn't matter how quick your car is, how flashy it looks or how jealous it makes your neighbour.

The point of today's blog is simple. YOU are your most valuable asset. The question is, are you looking after your body like you would look after your Ferrari? 

Back to Wellness Chiropractic Ltd

Eastbourne

www.backtowellness.co.uk

Once you start eating broccoli!

.... Do you have to eat it for the rest of your life?

The answer is no. Well... not unless your parents still have an iron grip on your diet. No one can force you to do something that’s good for your health or life unless you want to do it for yourself.
 
If you don’t want to renew that gym membership, go to yoga classes or reduce your stress through meditation, then that's your choice. 
Don’t feel like watching your sugar intake or taking your vitamins, the choice is yours to reap the benefits or face the consequences. 

And the same goes for your Chiropractic care. That rumor that says 'once you start Chiropractic care, you have to keep going for the rest of your life’ is a big fallacy. Although it’s true, many clients who visit their Chiropractor CHOOSE to continue with maintenance care because they appreciate the truckload of Life benefits that goes with having a strong spine and clear Nervous System... no one is forcing them to do so. They do it because it simply makes sense - just like eating their broccoli.

When my Chiropractic patients ask me "Now I feel better, do I really have to keep coming?"
I say "no". You don't "HAVE" to do anything unless you want to.

Back to Wellness Chiropractic Ltd

Eastbourne

www.backtowellness.co.uk