Spines are finite structures

21st century humans are certainly living longer but it is worth asking how we are living in the later years of our life. The spine is the pinnacle of wellness- the structure that allows us to truly be human. It supports the weight of our upper bodies and keeps us upright; it facilitates communication of the nervous system, allowing for us to process ultra-sensory information in seconds and form ultra-human decisions and reactions to such stimulation. But It is not meant to last forever; spines are simply not meant to last as long as our life expectancy nowadays. Spinal degeneration is the fate of us all, but we also have the power to decide to what degree this degeneration defines our lives. Dr. Gregory A. Lind D.C., we believe that spinal longevity is a key to holistic wellness. 

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More important than a traditional vitamin (VITAMIN D)

Your body craves vitamin D. The nutrient is even more than a traditional vitamin because your body uses it as a prohormone, or precursor of a hormone. Medical Journals agree:

A human body produces vitamin D as a response to sun exposure. A person can also boost their vitamin D intake through certain foods or supplements.

Good sources of vitamin D include:

• oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel.
• red meat.
• liver.
• egg yolks.
• fortified foods – such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals.

Vitamin D is even more important in the winter

During the winter months the sun is out less, and the temperature is cooler so in addition to being outside less these is less sun exposure when we are outside. The rise in flu cases in the norther hemisphere of earth during this time of year seems to correlate exactly to our reduced sun exposure. Some of the fascination with vitamin D supplementation began with the discovery in the early 1920s that vitamin D prevented rickets according to the lancet. Other studies go on to show vitamin D’s role in non-skeletal disorders, including immune function, cardiovascular health, and cancer.

What about the increased chance of skin cancer from sun exposure?

The importance of vitamin D can be shadowed by the increased chance of developing skin cancer with long sun exposure. Luckily the science is on our side here as well. The typical person only need 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure per day to receive all the benefits. And that level of sun exposure is almost certainly harmless for developing skin cancer in the short terms.

As always monitor for any new studies that show different results and stay health my friends. talk to you again soon.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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.