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Hazeldean Chiropractic Blog
October 6, 2011
When I ask someone how they know if they are healthy or sick, the most common answer I get is: “If I feel good.” Unfortunately, if we base our level of health only on symptoms, we might be opening ourselves up to bigger problems down the road.
At the clinic, we practice a vitalistic model of healthcare where prevention is the key.
Here is a list of conditions that may exist without overt signs or symptoms throughout their course or until the end-stages. (Griffith HW. Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness, and Surgery. Tucson: The Body Press, 1985.)
September 29, 2011
I’m a big believer in the saying: “Failing to plan is planning to fail”, especially when it comes to nutrition. Some of my worse eating experiences have happened when I was starving; I go to the cupboard or the fridge, and find nothing, or should I say nothing that I should be eating at that time. As a result, I ended up loading up on processed foods or too many carbohydrates, anything to curb my hunger pangs. I have since learned my lesson!
The Solution: the “Big Four” – Planning, Shopping, Preparing, and Cooking. They have been key to my success with nutrition.
Every Sunday morning, I take an inventory of what’s left in the fridge of the week past, and from there, start meal and snack planning for the week to come. And yes, you read correctly, I did mention snack planning. I have found that snacks are what get us in trouble most of the time. Good examples of healthy snacks are celery (with or without almond butter), peppers, organic berries, apples, peaches, organic raw cheese, nuts, sliced ham, etc.
I’m then off to the grocery store to pick up everything that I need for the week, although I often have to go back mid-week to pick-up some more berries. Unfortunately, when they are not in season and you purchase them in the store, I find that they spoil very quickly so I don’t buy too many ahead of time. Sometimes, they have already spoiled in the container at the store so make sure to check them before you buy them!
During the week, I try to make it a habit to always review our meal plan at night before I go to bed. This way, I can be prepared for the upcoming day. I thaw any meat that is necessary for an upcoming meal, prepare snacks and lunches for the upcoming day, and if I have time or I’m not too tired, I will start the prep for our next dinner. With a two year old in the house, anything done ahead of time will help when supper time comes!
Finally, if time allows, Sunday is usually the day when I pre-cook everything that I can for the upcoming week (and then store it in the fridge), or anything that can be cooked in big batches and then frozen, in order to simplify future meals (i.e. spaghetti sauce, chili, etc.)
By following this plan, not only has our nutrition been great, but it has taken all the stress away at meal time. Try it out and send me an email to let me know how it worked for you!
September 23, 2011
As a parent, I'm always looking for a healthier alternative when it comes to snacks or desserts. Last year, I came across this great brownie recipe that I found at http://thisprimallife.com/. We've been making it ever since in our family and we love it! Hope you will enjoy it also.
Almond Butter Pumpkin Brownies
Feel free to get creative with substitutions. Try other nut butters, other forms of squash, other sweeteners, spices, mix-ins, the possibilities are endless. I made several batches using either fresh squash that I steamed and mashed or canned pumpkin. I preferred the fresh squash to the canned pumpkin, but the latter worked perfectly well and seemed appropriate for the upcoming holiday.
Consider topping with applesauce and/or whipped cream for a delicious dessert.
Ingredients:
1 cup almond butter
¾ cup mashed pumpkin or other squash, canned or steamed
1 egg
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp baking soda
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix well. Pour into a greased 8 x 8 in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Serves 8.
September 19, 2011
Have you lost weight, but have plateaued?
The level of leptin in your body might be the reason why.
Click Here to check out this article by Joel Marion which explains why.
September 8, 2011
Here are some important facts from the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) “Structural Rehabilitation of the Spine and Posture: Rationale for Treatment Beyond the Resolution of Symptoms” which states the effects of poor spinal alignment/posture:
- Altered Biomechanics
“...if the head is translated anteriorly, with each inch of forward movement, the work required of the posterior cervical muscles to maintain this abnormal erect posture is effectively increased by a factor of 10.” “...a straightened or reversed cervical spine may lead to an increased incidence of cervical headaches and accessory symptoms.” - Bone Deformation
“Altered alignment of the spinal column is known to cause bone, disc, ligament, and myofascial degeneration.” - Intervertebral Disc
“...sustained, increased mechanical stresses on the disc can cause degenerative changes and increased concentrations of biochemical substances, which are thought to cause increased nociceptive activity.” - Spinal Ligaments
“...mechanical stress is a cause of ligament hypertrophy.”
“Postural abnormalities, if allowed to stand long enough, will cause adaptive changes in the architecture of the affected soft tissue structures, resulting in pain and disability, with likely long-term sequelae of fibrosis, scarring and degenerative changes.” - Nervous System
“When an abnormal static structure/posture is maintained, the resting stress and strain in the CNS is increased. Increased tension of the spinal cord seems to be the primary mechanism leading to neurological dysfunction.”
“Damaged or irritated neurons are activated at much lower thresholds in response to mechanical deformations.”
“Mechanical stress maintained in the nervous tissue because of abnormal spinal positions after sustained neuronal injury may predispose the individual to a variety of pathological processes and neural disorders.”
“...increased strain and/or deformation of the central nervous system after neural derangements or damage will directly interfere with the inherent healing capability of the CNS.”
Just like we go to the dentist in order to prevent cavities, etc., we believe that every Kanata, Stittsville, and Richmond resident should have a chiropractic check-up in order to prevent any of the side effects listed above, and to help them lead a maximized life!
September 1, 2011
Did you know?
According to the December 22, 1994 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (Risk of Kidney Failure Associated with the Use of Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs), people who took 105-365 acetaminophen pills (i.e. Tylenol) per year had a 40% increased risk of end-stage renal disease. For those who took more than 365 acetaminophen pills per year, the increased risk of end-stage renal disease was 110%.
These facts are very important because in my experience, most people are unaware of the ramifications of taking a pain killer on a regular basis. As I’m writing this post, I’m specifically thinking of a few patients that recently reported that they take pain killers on a daily basis in order to deal with their pain, and I’m very concerned.
Yes, sometimes we do need to use medications for pain relief, but it is not normal to have to use them on a regular basis. Pain is an indication that is something is wrong. By masking the pain with a pain killer, yes, you will get temporary relief, but you might predispose yourself to a bigger problem down the road. Whether someone decides to use pain medication is a personal decision, but regardless of the decision, one should always seek the CAUSE of the pain.
Do you know someone who regularly takes pain medication who lives in Kanata, Stittsville, Richmond, or anywhere in Canada for that matter? Please let them know that Chiropractic care might be the drug-free solution they are looking for. Have them call us today.
August 25, 2011
Do you ever wonder if the fruit or vegetable that you buy at the supermarket is really organic? I know I have! I’m already a regular label reader, but I’ve also become a regular “sticker checker”.Fruits and vegetables have stickers on them with a four or five digit price look-up code (PLU code). These codes help the supermarket identify their products, taking the guessing game out of the equation. This is especially important these days with the growing number of organic products; an organic banana looks just like a non-organic banana.
A conventional fruit or vegetable will have a four digit code (i.e. #4011 banana). An organic fruit or vegetable will have a five digit code, starting with a 9 (i.e. #94011 organic banana). A genetically modified fruit or vegetable will have a five digit code, starting with an 8, but as far as I know, to this day, they are not legally obligated to report if it was genetically modified... scary! (I will talk about genetically modified foods in a future post.)
August 22, 2011
Did you know?
According to the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (November 2006, Vol. 85, No.11, pp. S2-S11, “Osteoarthritis – Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Pathophysiology”), “osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis and a major cause of disability in people aged 65 and older.”
“Injuries that alter mechanical or joint alignment may also predispose individuals to OA at other sites.”
“Other risk factors for post traumatic arthritis include high body mass, high level of activity, and residual joint instability or malalignment.”
If there is a loss of the normal joint bio-mechanics, this results in the joint being more vulnerable to osteoarthritis.
These are just a few facts as to why we do spinal reconstructive chiropractic care at the clinic. Are you suffering from osteoarthritis or know of someone who is? Chiropractic may be able to help you or them live pain free!
August 11, 2011
"Healthy Truffles"
1 cup pitted dates
1/4 cup walnuts
1/4 rolled oats (not instant)
1/4 cup cocoa or carob powder
Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until thoroughly combined. The mixture should look like a lumpy paste. With slightly wet hands, roll paste into walnut-sized balls. Place on wax or parchment paper on a tray or plate and freeze until firm. Store in baggies in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in freezer for up to 2 months.
*For variations, try rolling the balls in additional cocoa powder, toasted unsweetened shredded coconut, or nuts.
July 7, 2011
Did you know?
According to Pediatrics (Volume 125, Number 6, June 2010 – Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Urinary Metabolites of Organophosphate Pesticides), “ exposure to organophosphates has been associated with adverse effects on neurodevelopment, such as behavioural problems and lower cognitive function.”
Organophosphates can be found in many pesticides. Human exposure to these pesticides is mainly through food, water, and residential use, with food being the major source for children. According to this study, organophosphates were found in 28% of frozen blueberries, 25% of strawberries, and 19% of celery. The Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen List” has celery as #2, strawberries as #3, and domestic blueberries as #10.
“Children are generally considered to be at greatest risk from organophosphate toxicity, because the developing brain is more susceptible to neurotoxins and the dose of pesticides per body weight is likely to be larger for children.” They also have a lower concentration of detoxifying enzymes, which again, makes them more vulnerable.
This is another great study that increases our awareness of how commercial agricultural practices might impact our health. Buying local, organic fruits and vegetables as much as you can is the best way around this problem.
June 30, 2011
The cervical spinal curve should measure 34° - 42° on x-ray.
Research shows that if your curve is less than 20°, you are 2x more likely to experience neck pain. If your curve is less than 0°, you are 18X MORE LIKELY to experience neck pain!
If you are currently experiencing neck pain, this may be the reason why. We can help!
June 22, 2011
Pesticide use on fruits and vegetables is common practice. This being said, the effects of consuming small amounts of chemicals over a long period of time has not been well researched. As a result, we recommend that you buy organic food whenever possible. If cost is a concern, we recommend that you focus on buying the top 12 most “dirty” foods organic.
For a complete list, please visit the “Environmental Working Group’s 2011 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticide in Produce”
June 13, 2011
We recently installed a frame at the clinic which holds a portrait of a Chiropractor performing an adjustment back in the early 1900’s. Quite a few people noticed it, and as result, a conversation about the history of Chiropractic ensued. I quickly realized that most people were not aware of how Chiropractic care started so I thought I would post a little history lesson.
Taken from the Palmer College of Chiropractic website.
D.D. Palmer — (March 7, 1845 - October 20, 1913) The Founder
“At the end of the 19th century, when D.D. Palmer came on the health care scene, medicine was leaving an era of proclaimed cure-alls to pursue more scientific investigation into the treatment of disease. D.D. reasoned that the body had an ample supply of natural healing power transmitted through the nervous system. If a single organ was sick, it must not be receiving its normal nerve supply. That led to the premise of spinal misalignment, or subluxation, and from there to a procedure for adjusting the vertebrae. D.D. performed his first adjustments in 1895, relieving one man of deafness and another person of heart trouble. Arrangements were made to train others in the application of the chiropractic principle. The Palmer School and Cure was founded in 1897 and was later incorporated under the laws of Iowa. The school later became the Palmer School of Chiropractic.“
June 6, 2011
According to the New England Journal of Medicine (Projected Effect of Dietary Salt Reductions on Future Cardiovascular Disease, January 20, 2010), “75 to 80% of the salt in the US diet comes from processed foods, not from salt added during food preparation or consumption.”
“A population-wide reduction of salt intake of 3 g per day is expected to result in the same reduction in death rates as the use of medical treatment to control hypertension in all persons with the condition.”
“The magnitude of the health benefit suggests that salt should be a regulatory target of the Food and Drug Administration, which currently designates salt as a food additive that is ‘generally regarded as safe’.”
More and more studies are being published which confirm what we are trying to teach our patients; that lifestyle choices are directly linked to your overall well-being. Every day, you either choose something that will lead you towards health, vitality, and life or you choose something that can lead to pain, disease, and potentially death.
This study also mentions that cardiovascular benefits could also be achieved by decreasing tobacco use, obesity, and cholesterol levels.
May 30, 2011
Did You Know?
‘Fatty acids are used by every cell in the body; they are an integral part of cell membranes and influence the function of cell membrane receptors.’
‘Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from dietary sources.’
‘The appropriate ratio of dietary omega-6 to omega-3 is important for optimal body function, and should be around 3:1 or 2:1.’ In the current human diet, this ratio is approximately 20:1, ‘largely because of the high intake of omega-6 rich foods…’
‘The primary sources of omega-6s are grain-fed beef, processed foods, and liquid vegetable oils…’
‘A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids is associated with decreased risks of heart disease, arthritis, asthma, and certain cancers.’
‘Adequate omega-3 intake in pregnant and nursing women and young children is acknowledged for its positive role in increasing gestation and birth weight and its effects on neonatal cognitive and visual function.’ (Prenatal Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Review and Recommendations – Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, November/December 2010; Volume 55, No.6; pp. 520-528)
This is another great study which demonstrates the necessity of having proper levels of omega-3 fatty acids in our body. Although omega-3 fatty acids can be found in flax seed, canola oil, and certain leafy plants, we recommend that you get them from consuming fish or from purified fish oil as they are more readily absorbed by the body in these forms.
May 18, 2011
Did you know?
“Noradrenaline is the principle signalling molecule used at the output of the sympathetic nervous system, and thereby plays a critical role in the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response to environmental stressors... Psychological stress is associated with increased release of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) which may cause or exacerbate diseases.” (Autonomic & Autacoid Pharmacology, October 2009, Vol. 29, No 4.; pp. 143-156.
This study does not surprise me at all. In his book, “The Innate State of Mind & Emotional Hygiene”, Dr. James Chestnut explains “The Physiology of the Stress Response”. If you are able to get your hands on a copy, I would highly recommend it. Once you read how stress/emotions affect the body, it will give you a whole new perspective when it comes to health care and wellness.
I believe that emotional/mental stress does not receive the attention it deserves in regards to how it impacts the body. Over the years, our health care system has taught us that we are mechanical beings, looking at each body part individually, and treating the symptom. But the reality is that we have to approach the individual as a whole. Yes, someone might have glaucoma, asthma, or diabetes, but the cause might not be in the eyes, airway, or pancreas; it might be emotional/mental stress (as per the study stated above).
Chiropractors have been stating for many years now that if a person has emotional/mental stress, that it could result in subluxations (misalignments in their spine), due to the brain-body connection. Therefore, at our , we work with our patients to remove the subluxations that were caused by the emotional/mental stress, but we also work with our patients in order to try to remove or minimize the stressor itself.
May 12, 2011
Free Spinal Screening – Saturday, May 14th from 10am – 3:00pm
http://www.hazeldeanchiropractic.com/doctor/chiropractor/8L/kanata-chiropractor/contact-us.htm
May 5, 2011
Did you know?
Chiropractic adjustments are 5 times more effective in alleviating pain than the NSAIDS Celebrex and Vioxx in patients with chronic neck and back pain. (Spine 2003)
At the clinic, we truly believe that when it comes to healthcare, someone should try Chiropractic 1st, drugs/medications 2nd, and surgery last. We don’t just say that because we are Chiropractors, and as a result we are biased. We say this because we are fully aware of the adverse side effects that come with more invasive treatments.
According to the British Medical Journal (January 11, 2011; Vol. 342:c7086), compared with placebo, Vioxx was associated with the highest risk of myocardial infarction (increased risk by 112%) and Ibuprofen was associated with the highest risk of stroke (increased risk by 236%). The overall conclusion from the study was that that there was little evidence to suggest that NSAIDS are safe in cardiovascular terms.
As per the study in Spine (2003), chiropractic adjustments are 5 times more effective than these drugs and cause no side effects.
Yes, sometimes we do need to take a medication, but as you can see, the less that you take, the better it is.
April 28, 2011
Did you know?
There is a direct correlation between the amount of antibiotics received before 6 months of age and the risk of developing asthma by the age of 6. According to the American Journal of Epidemiology (December 29, 2010; Vol. 173, No. 3; pp. 310-318), one course of antibiotics increased the risk of asthma by 40%, and two or more courses of antibiotics increased the risk of asthma by 72%.
Ear infections are common in young children. They are more prevalent in children than in adults due to the alignment of the Eustachian tube in the ear. (It’s more horizontal in kids than it is in adults, therefore it does not drain as well). Medications are often prescribed in order to treat the infection.
As per the study stated above, medications given at a young age can have profound effects on the body later in life. This is due to the fact that the immune system is very immature in early life and antibiotic intake affects its normal development.
We strongly believe that medications should be a last resort. Ear infections (90% of the time) are viral in nature, meaning that antibiotics would not work anyway to clear the infection any faster.
Subluxations (misalignments in the spine) in the upper cervical area of the neck can predispose a child to ear infections. This is due to the fact that the nervous system controls the drainage of the ear; if there is pressure on the nerves supplying the ear, proper function will be affected. Chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate the problem.
From a nutritional standpoint, many chronic ear infections can be attributed to a milk allergy. Often times, by removing dairy (i.e. milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.) the ear infections do not return.
If someone does have to take an antibiotic, taking a good probiotic supplement as well is highly recommended. This will help rebuild the normal flora in the intestines that the antibiotic would have destroyed.
April 26, 2011
Stress!!!
It comes in many forms: lifting boxes, high heel shoes, busy work schedule, financial, wedding planning, lost of a loved one, kids, medications, subluxations, junk food, alcohol, etc...
Unfortunately, we are not able to make all your stress disappear, but regular chiropractic care can increase your body's ability to deal with it.
Did you know?
Green tea has cardiovascular and cancer preventative characteristics due to its antioxidant properties.
April 4, 2011
Are you pregnant? Do you know a friend or family member who is pregnant? If yes, are you familiar with the Webster technique?
The Webster technique is a safe and gentle chiropractic adjusting technique which restores the proper alignment in the sacrum so that babies can turn to the vertex (head down) position on their own. With the help of this specific adjustment, many unnecessary cesareans have been avoided.
Chiropractors using the Webster technique have seen an 82% success rate using this technique (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2002)
March 24, 2011
THE WARRIOR WAY - 90 DAYS STEP BY STEP
Saturday, April 2 @ 9:00am
"There is always enough time to get the important things done. The problem is never truly that there is not enough time; the problem is that there is not enough time management." (Dr. Ben Lerner)
Come and learn what WE learn when we go to seminars! Sign-up TODAY!
March 7, 2001
ELEVATE ME! is a natural protein and whole fruit energy bar that we recently discovered. We like it because it is gluten-free, wheat-free, and has no fillers, sweeteners, preservatives, or flavours. You can purchase them online at www.prosnack.com or you can buy them next door at Popeye's Supplements.
February 28, 2011
If you are looking for a good family wellness magazine, we would recommend "Pathways to Family Wellness". If you would like a FREE issue, please go to http://pathwaystofamilywellness.org
February 7, 2011
If you are looking for local organic meat, it is worth it to take a drive to Perth, ON to visit Coutts Country Flavours - a 4th generation family farm. www.couttscountryflavours.ca
January 31, 2011
Here is a list of supplements that everyone should consider taking:
1. Multivitamin
2. Fish Oil
3. Vitamin D
4. Greens Supplement (i.e. Greens +, Vege Greens)
January 25, 2011
Are your cosmetics or skin products safe to use? Visit www.cosmeticsdatabase.com to find out!
January 18, 2011
On Saturday, January 29th @ 9:00am is our first workshop for 2011: "Meat: Super-Food or Poison". There is no cost to attend, but space is limited. If you are interested, please give us a call or send us an email so that we can reserve your seat.
January 10, 2011
We are pleased to announce that we have been nominated again this year for the 2011 Kanata Chamber of Commerce People’s Choice Business Awards. We would appreciate your support. If you would like to vote for us, please click on the link below and it will guide you through the voting process.
http://pcba.kanatachamber.com/en/pcba/index_openVote.php
We are nominated in the “Health & Wellness (Kanata) and “Small Business (Kanata)” categories.
Thank you!
January 6, 2011
Recommended Reading for January 2011: “Extreme Makeover God’s Way – 40 Days to a Body by God” by Dr. Ben Lerner, New York Times Best Selling Author
“Science shows us that habits change over approximately 40 days (six weeks) and that good habits are as difficult to form as bad ones are to break. While most people are looking for quick fixes and instant change, the truth is that these things never, ever work long term. This program will enact steady, positive, effective, productive, more permanent change – God’s way. The Extreme Makeover – God’s Way 40-Day Plan involves getting one-percent better every day for 40 days. This plan is not extreme because it is hard, it is extreme because it is thorough and covers all of the important areas of life.” (Dr. Ben Lerner)
