Blog
Nutrient Timing: When You Eat Matters
Is your day scheduled around eating?
Or is eating scheduled around your day? Chances are, if you live an on-the-go lifestyle, it is the latter. Which means that our food choices, as well as the way we eat, are at the mercy of a hectic schedule that leaves little time for our well being. We often wait until we are starving, and then stuff ourselves until we are too full. Waiting until you are starving is a sure way to set yourself up for failure: you will likely choose a less healthy meal, eat more rapidly and consume more food overall than if you ate according to a schedule. This is just one example of why mindful eating is trending- it is a pathway to wellness.
Improving Spinal Health With Better Posture
Poor posture to the fore
We are all aware of the role posture plays in spinal health, and it is an essential one. But as a nation, our postural health is under threat. Sitting up straight with your head back is all well and good, but that doesn’t address the fact that our bodies simply aren’t meant to sit for such a long period of time. Even if you were able to maintain a perfect, balanced posture for 8 hours straight, your spine would still suffer from the lack of movement. So it’s time to stop chasing this elusive ideal of perfect posture, or at least change our thinking about it.
Let’s Let Go of Some Tension
Why does my body feel so tight all the time?
The problem is our lifestyles: in the morning we wake up from a sub-par sleep, get on with our commute, sit all day at work, commute back home, sit and relax. Without any exercise or stretching, your body has no defense against the tension that is constantly accumulating. Excessive sitting puts additional pressure on the spine, damages your organs and contributes to muscular degeneration. You can think of sitting as a proper challenge for your body, akin to a very peculiar sport; the smart person will take the time to prepare their body for a lifestyle that involves a lot of sitting.
The Standing Hip Shift: Directly Addressing the Causes of Spinal Imbalance
Let’s choose a movement that directly addresses the problems associated with sitting
The standing hip shift addresses the following bio-mechanical shortcomings:
- It contracts the gluteus maximus which remains weak from lack of use in people who sit a lot.
- Reduces anterior pelvic tilt which is caused by stiffness in the hips and pulls your spine out of alignment at its base.
- Stretches deep core muscles and improves range of motion in the lower back.
- Strengthens and stretches the gluteus medius, improving hip mobility- stiff hips are a signal contributor to lower back pain associated with sitting.
This exercise directly addresses musculoskeletal imbalances that result in back pain and dysfunction. But it can be a hard move to get the hang of- as always, be sure to check with a medical professional to ensure your body can handle this move without causing injury.
Deep Friction Massage is Powerful, Effective Healing
Spotlight: deep friction massage for athletes
The most common type of sports injuries involve damage to muscles and connective tissue which are exposed to elevated levels of stress during physical activity. When they are strained or sprained past their breaking point, inflammation, stiffness and pain are likely to set in. These symptoms are a normal part of the injury healing process, as your body seeks to stop you from causing further injury. But depending on the severity of the injury, this process could cost you time on the sideline that you simply can’t afford. At our office in Milpitas CA, we seek to help athletes recover in a fast, effective manner using natural modalities. Deep transverse friction massage is one that shows great effectiveness in sports medicine.
Jobs That Kill: Your Spine on the Line
Work is one of the most influential factors in spinal health
It is important to know if your career is going to put your spine at an elevated risk for pain and dysfunction. That way, you can still pursue your dream job (or otherwise), while taking the necessary steps for prevention. At Gregory A. Lind D.C., we consider knowledge and awareness to be some of the sharpest tools in preventive medicine- the more you know about your job, the more you can protect your spine while on it. Let’s take a look at some of the harshest jobs for the spine.
How To Keep Tech Pain Out of Your Life
Tech pain is on the rise
Are you one of the millions of people buying new tech gadgets this holiday? Gamer’s thumbs, text necks, carpal tunnels and tennis elbows; these once fairly unheard-of injuries are becoming ubiquitous in American society. And as our dependence on technology grows, we can only see tech pain playing a greater role in our lives. We spend enough time worried about the toll technology takes mentally- the incessant checking of the phones, the anxiety- but less time worried about the toll it is taking on our spines. Rest assured, that encroaching stiffness you’ve been feeling is only made worse by the 23 hours-per-week-average of time spent texting, e-mailing and checking social media.
Nutrition-Forward Thanksgiving Options
Even if you’re socially distancing this Thanksgiving weekend, it will be important to carefully consider the foods you provide to those in your bubble, those who will sit at your table.
Having some healthy food options this Thanksgiving is a good idea — we often look to food for celebration, but also during times of stress. It’s better to have some healthy things to eat at your fingertips this holiday season.
First, make sure you have plenty of vegetable options, whether it’s a couple of creative salads packed with healthy extras like walnuts, almonds, avocado, carrots, beets, and more. Include veggie casseroles, yams, and other vegetable sides to take your veggie game to the next level.
Whatever you do for protein, whether it’s a turkey or a plant-based option, opt for clean, whole foods that will be easy to digest.
Stay hydrated throughout the holiday weekend to avoid dehydration and fatigue.
If you have any questions about how our treatments go hand-in-hand with a healthy lifestyle, contact Family Chiropractic and Natural Healing Center today to learn more.
Staying Fit in November
November in our current COVID-19 pandemic might not be the same for any of us as it was in previous years, but it’s still very important (perhaps more important than ever) to stay healthy and well — and a big part of that is having a well-regimented and disciplined exercise plan.
First, getting outside might seem daunting, especially since the cold air is by now creeping in. Early mornings are a great time to push the body — you’re full of energy and there are few people out at this time. You’ll limit your exposure and get your workout in early.
Working out at home is a good idea — and something many of us have adopted during times of COVID-19. Kettle bells are excellent home workout tools. You can even hang a heavy bag in your garage to add some serious variety to your workouts.
Working on your cardio, building your core, and engaging in strength training are all essential to building a healthy and strong body. Make sure that you’re getting this type of balance on a weekly basis.
Active recovery is your friend. Go on a nature hike on your off days, or at the very least a long morning walk. Schedule a massage, or, better yet, chiropractic treatment to double-down on your active recovery days.
Care to learn more about how chiropractic treatment helps unlock the body’s true potential? Give Family Chiropractic and Natural Healing Center a call today to learn more!
3 Signs You Need a Chiropractic Adjustment
Many patients in need of a chiropractic adjustment have no idea they have a problem in the first place. Below, Family Chiropractic and Natural Healing Center would like to go over a few tell-tale signs that you could use a chiropractic adjustment, which brings on an entire host of health benefits you have to experience to believe.
Your Mind is Cloudy
If you have the old hazy brain due to overwork and overperformance, this could be because your spine is misaligned, which can affect the way your brain communicates with the rest of your body. One simple chiropractic treatment can clear up those passageways to ensure that your brain is firing on all cylinders.
You Have Back/Spine/Neck Pain
If you have any type of lingering pain in your neck, back, or centered in your spine, chiropractic treatment could just be the answer. A series of chiropractic treatments can help realign the body, improve mobility, and reduce or eliminate back, spine, and/or neck pain.
You’re Waking Up Exhausted
If you’re waking up feeling like you need another night of rest already, that could be a sign that your body is out of whack. Chiropractic treatment can help boost mood, improve sleep, and even improve your gastrointestinal functionality, which will free your body up to spend energy on what matters.
Contact Family Chiropractic and Natural Healing Center today to learn more about how our treatments can make your life better.