Patients for Life Secrets behind the science of Chiropractic… and methods for successful living! - A newsletter by Dr. Heath Gallentine Dr. Heath Gallentine Lexington Family Chiropractic • 131 Prosperous Place #15, Lexington KY 40509 Ph. 859-264-1140 • Fax 859-245-1190 • Website www.lexfamilychiro.com Facebook: www.lexfamilychiroonfacebook.com Ask the Doctor “Why do Chiropractors say that adjustments can have many other health benefits?” Answer: If you’re reading this article than chances are good that you became a patient of ours because of low back pain, sciatica, constant headaches, beck pain, whiplash, or other related pain. What is interesting is that you came to me to stop the pain… but… what you discover is that you have more energy, no longer have restless sleep, and seem to get colds a lot less often, thanks to those spinal adjustments. What is going on here? Is it possible that an adjustment can have many other benefits beyond just the pain relief? Yes! A lot of these benefits have to do with your nervous system. Your nervous system controls the function of every cell, tissue, organ, and system in the body. Yes, that also includes your immune system. Now imagine what happens if anything disrupts your nervous system. This interference is like stopping a busy freeway during rush hour. Things can’t operate correctly and it causes many related issues and problems as well. Ron Pero, head of cancer research at the university of Lund, in Lund, Sweden and Chief of Cancer Research Center at New York Preventative Research Center, says that restoration and correction of the spine can increase the strength of your immune system by 200% - 400%. This is one reason (in my opinion) why chiropractic patients often report getting less colds and health problems. The spine and vertebrae protect your nervous system however sometimes they get knocked out of place. That’s where chiropractic (and a good maintenance program) can come into play. What to do next: If you are reading this and you have questions, please call me! Also if you haven’t been in to see us for some time and pain has reactivated and lasted more than 48 hours, please contact your doctor immediately. We’re only a phone call away. We’re here to help! Patients for Life • January 2010 Twitter: www.twitter.com/LexFamilyChiro “Study shows something our patients already know…” Here is How Chiropractic Treatment Helps to Relieve the Symptoms Associated With P.M.S. What? Chiropractic and PMS? Believe it. I remember treating a patient a while ago who came in for sciatica, who had remarked that her PMS symptoms were often debilitating. After 3 months she was pleasantly surprised to report that her PMS symptoms had improved dramatically. She wanted to know if it had anything to do with the chiropractic care. In her case, I believe it had everything to do with an improvement of her symptoms! Most women suffer some symptoms of PMS during their childbearing years, but between 10-20% experience severe or disabling symptoms. The symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) can often include: * Headaches * Backache * Abdominal bloating * Cramping * Fatigue *Mood swings The use of drugs and even psychotherapy have proven unsuccessful (and costly) in having any substantial impact in reducing PMS symptoms. However… guess what seems to be working with good success? Chiropractic! In a nine month study involving 25 women with diagnosed PMS, 16 patients received active chiropractic treatment (spinal manipulation and soft-tissue therapy) 2-3 times in the week before menses for at least three menstrual cycles; the remaining nine patients received a placebo in the form of chiropractic adjustments using an instrument set for minimum force, such that patients did not effectively receive treatment. The two groups eventually changed over, so that both groups received treatment and placebo during the study period. In both groups, results showed that PMS symptom scores decreased after chiropractic manipulation, with a significant decrease in scores for the active treatment phase compared to the nontreatment (placebo) phase. If you believe that you or someone you love could be a candidate for a chiropractic evaluation, please give us a call – or even if you have questions, don’t hesitate to call and ask. Fast Facts for Life! “The International Obesity Task Force estimates that 300 million people worldwide are obese and 750 million more are overweight, including 22 million children under age five.” Again proving that so much of what happens to us in life is of our own choosing… Successful Living Breakthroughs! Know where to go. Half of what it takes to succeed in life is knowing what you don’t know and where to go for the rest. An interesting Web site that just might put you on the road to being in the know is www.thebeehive.org. With information on a wealth of timely topics you’re sure to find what it takes to live well and smart. Page 1 Breakthroughs/Fast Facts for Life Tips to healthy living… Quick facts about staying healthy… Here are 5 Powerful Nutrition & Diet Tips, that Even the Most Stubborn Person Can Stick With! Do you love your high heels? Here are 8 tips to make sure good fashion doesn’t turn into bad pain! Face it. Women love their high heels. If as a chiropractic doctor I started telling my patients to stop wearing high heels, I’d be thrown out of town! (Only kidding- but just slightly.) So I’m facing reality here. If my patients are going to wear high heels anyway, here are 8 important tips to make sure that your good fashion doesn’t turn into bad pain later*: (*Excerpted from an article by the American Chiropractic Association) 8 Tips for Wearing those High Heels Choose comfortable shoes. If you must wear high heels, bring a pair of flat shoes along with you to change into should you become uncomfortable. If you walk to work, wear flat shoes and change into your more fashionable shoes when you arrive to alleviate any pain or discomfort. If the shoe is uncomfortable while standing, chances are it will not be any more comfortable while walking. The wrong shoe can affect the body's center of gravity. Select a briefcase or purse with a wide adjustable strap. Ideally, the strap should be long enough to place over the head. This evenly distributes the bulk of the weight across the body. When carrying a bag, or briefcase, switch sides frequently to avoid placing the burden of the weight on one side of your body. Take the time to empty unnecessary items from your bag. Place all necessary items-such as wallets and cellular phones-in the front pockets of the bag. Stretching around to reach for your wallet can result in a pulled neck or back. If you are driving or sitting for long periods of time, remove your wallet or card holder from the back pocket of your pants. This is important! If you frequently wear high heels and your back is killing you every time (and your pain has lasted for more than 2 weeks) and the above tips don’t help, please seek a professional. For more info, help, questions, etc., about this topic please feel FREE to call us any time and we’ll help as best as we can. Don’t be a stranger, we’re here to help! Patients for Life • January 2010 Here we are in January. In another few months and everyone will start working out to lose those winter pounds so as to fit into their Spring Break swimsuits! Well, I was thinking about all of the health and diet advice out there and what they mean to my patients. What if we winnowed down all the best advice into just 5 tips? And, what if we made them simple enough that even the most diet-resistant person could be successful with them! That’s what you’ll find below. My list of 5 life changing diet tips… and… they’re really simple: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Eat fatty fish two or three times a week. Omega-3 fat prevents heart disease and fish oil protects brain cells. Think salmon as the most obvious choice, but mackerel and herring are good too. Cut red meat to once or twice a week and make sure the red meat you do eat is baked, stewed, boiled or microwaved, not fried! Know your good carbs from your bad carbs. Good carbs are those foods that don’t produce an immediate spike in blood sugar. For example, good carbs like beans, peanuts, whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits and veggies are better than white breads, sugary foods and potatoes. Make sure you’re getting enough fiber. Normal, healthy people shouldn’t need artificial stimulants to remain regular if they’re eating 25 grams or more of fiber a day. Cut portion size a third to a half. The secret to eating less is making less! In other words, be conscious of how much you’re cooking. Think about all the “little decisions” we make in a day that are multiplied over our lifetime. Above are 5 little decisions that can lead to better health and feeling like you have more energy. The good news is anyone can follow these 5 simple tips and make a decision that will benefit them for a lifetime. For more advice on what vitamins and/or supplements are right for your body type, please give me a call and let’s talk. We’re here to help! Source: In part author and nutritionist Jean Carper. Fascinating Facts! A study commissioned by baby-food maker Gerber Corp. found that parents admitted 20 percent of kids 19 to 24 months ate fries everyday, while 10 percent of the 9- to 11-month-olds did the same. 25% of the kids 19 to 24 months ate hot dogs, bacon or sausage daily. It should come as little wonder then that an estimated 10 percent to 15 percent of pre-schoolers are considered overweight by the time they’re age 5. Page 2 Important News about You! Welcome to our Practice Referrals Mean the World to Us! We dedicate this space to say thank you to all of our patients and friends who have so kindly made referrals to our office. There is no greater compliment you can pay us then to entrust us with the referral of a friend or family member. Your trust and confidence means the world to us and has helped our practice to grow over the years. We’d like to say a very big THANK YOU to the following patients who have sent us a referral in December: Kevin C. Corrie S. Derrick R. Tiffany J. Susan P. Rachael M. Mia G. Michelle P. Carrie S. Leah S. Samantha M. THANK YOU FOR THESE REFERRALS! Winner of the Portable DVD Player Congratulations to Corrie S. for winning the Portable DVD Player for the December Referral Contest! Winner of the Newsletter Question Congratulations to Cynthia C. for winning the WalMart gift card for the December Newsletter question! Patients for Life • January 2010 Patients are the lifeblood of our practice. We realize that you have a choice, and we are proud that these new patients have chosen us as their health care provider! We hope that we exceed your expectations and help you progress towards a health lifestyle! We would like to proudly welcome the following new patients in December: Tony M. Dylan M. Kayla G. Jennifer D. Erin M. Mike J. Michelle R. Lindsey P. Andy J. Melissa R. Lesli J. Jenna W. Darlene S. Thanks for allowing us the chance to serve you! Let’s Wish Happy Birthday to the Following Patients! Happy birthday to you… happy birthday to you… We’d like to give special recognition to the following patients that are having Birthdays this month! Sandy A. Eric A. Al A. Kerry A. Michelle A. Pat A. Roger B. Jonathan C. Tim C. Maggie C. Ann C. Carmen C. Karissa C. Kathy D. Eric F. Nicole F. Tre L. Joyce L. Beth M. Kevin M. Shirley M. Paula N. Shayne P. Torey P. Angie Q. Don R. Jake R. Tai T. Wanda T. Shawn W. Felicia W. Nick W. Jerry W. Keith Z. Our Anniversary! This month Lexington Family Chiropractic celebrates our 5th year anniversary! We want to thank all our loyal patients who trust in our staff. We hope for many more fruitful years to come. We couldn’t have done it without you! Thank You! Win a Portable TV! For every patient you refer to our office for chiropractic care from January 1st to January 31st your name gets entered into a drawing to win a Portable TV Player! Page 3 Fitness & Successful Living Breakthroughs Fitness Corner! Can Good NUTRITION Speed Up Your Rate of Recovery? If you have recently been into our office because of an injury, you are well aware of the rigors of rehabilitation. Regaining strength and endurance in injured muscles, joints or tissue is a complex process requiring consideration of physical, biological, physiological and nutritional factors. The bottom line is that good nutrition can speed up your rate of recovery. Is there any science to back this up? You bet. A study in the Journal of Sports Chiropractic & Rehabilitation addresses the value of nutrition in returning patients to their preinjury status. They looked at a number of nutritional factors: Specific energy and nutrient requirements; Ways of reducing inflammation (enzymes, amino acids, herbs/botanicals); Repairing/strengthening tissue (glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate); Avoiding potential food sensitivities (corn, wheat, milk products, red meat, etc.) It was shown that effective nutrition and supplement programs helped aid the body to recover because it provided the injured muscles with the vitamins and nutrients it needed to speed up recovery. Good health doesn't have to cost a lot! Investing in good health is cheap compared to being sick and unwell. Just ask anyone in the hospital. You have the power to make it happen. Right now. If you'd like some help achieving vibrant health and energy, please call our offices. Quite bluntly, smart patients know the value of investing in themselves and by that I mean a WELLNESS APPROACH to care. Now is the perfect time to begin! If not now, then when?? If you’d like to learn more about proper nutrition, please call us! Win A FREE GIFT by Answering this simple question! Give it a try… why not? Would you like the chance to win a special FREE GIFT? Each month the free gift changes. It might be a FREE tube of BioFreeze. Or a free cervical pillow, which is excellent for use at your place of work or in your favorite chair. This month we are giving away a Starbucks Gift Card! Unlike other contests, the odds of you winning this contest are really good. Why not give it a try? To win you need only read this newsletter to find the answer to the Health Question posed below. If you think you know the answer or want to guess, pick up the phone and call us! The first person to call will win the Starbucks Gift Card! (If you call us and get the answering machine, make sure you leave your answer so we know who called first! We will call you back if you win!) Last month’s winner was Cynthia C.. from Lexington. You could be our winner this month. Are you ready? The contest question for this month is… What percentage of women experience severe PMS symptoms? Referrals Mean the World to Us! I consider it a privilege to be trusted with the health care of my patients. In fact, there are some weeks we are so busy that we have to extend our hours or stay late just to see everyone! Why have we grown so fast? It’s because of patients like you who refer friends, family and co-workers. I don’t often have the chance to say thanks for all your support and friendship, but I really do appreciate it. I consider it a pleasure to work with my patients. That’s why I am always so interested in your feedback on this newsletter and any questions you may have about your health, nutrition and chiropractic. Please feel free to call—even if it’s only to get an answer to a quick question. Remember that we are available when you need us, so call anytime! I look forward to seeing you. Gift Certificate – For Friends or Family Who Need Help! Often our patients tell us they know of someone in pain who could use our help. That’s what this special Gift Certificate is to be used for! Do you know of a friend or family member who needs chiropractic care? Clip this coupon and give it to your friend. This entitles them to a FREE New Patient Chiropractic Session! This special “Patient Appreciation” coupon expires soon. To schedule this New Patient Special, please have them call Lexington Family Chiropractic at 859-264-1140. (This coupon must be presented at the time of service) This coupon expires: January 31st at Noon. *This expiration date cannot be extended *You have the right to rescind within 72hrs any obligation to pay for goods or services in addition to the free or discounted services Patients for Life • January 2010 Page 4