Your Spine Degenerates in Stages or Phases.

First your spine loses its normal balance. There may be a loss of normal spinal curves. Your nerves may be affected which interferes with the flow of vital life energy. Also your joints, discs, nerves, and posture will be stressed and will age more quickly. Surprisingly, there may be no pain other than occasional minor discomfort. A slight lessening of energy and slight height loss may also be present. Response to spinal care is generally good.

Here there is a much greater degree of decay, disc narrowing, and bone spurs (deformations); postural changes are much worse. This condition is very common (by age 40, 80% of males and 76% of females exhibit moderate disc degeneration). Spinal canal narrowing or stenosis may occur.  More common aches and pains, fatigue, and a diminished ability to cope with stress characterize this phase. Height continues to decrease. With chiropractic care significant improvement is possible.

Here there are more postural imbalances, increased nerve damage, permanent scar tissue, and advanced bone deformation. Physical and/or mental weakness or disability begins. Also found in this phase are permanent loss of height and loss of energy. With care some reversal is possible.

This is the most advanced stage of subluxation degeneration. The postural imbalance is severe and motion is limited. There is severe nerve damage, permanent scar tissue is formed, and the bones may begin to fuse. In this phase we find pain, various degrees of physical or mental disability, and continued loss of energy and height. By now the condition is considered irreversible, although chiropractic may give some symptomatic relief.

Every can you bring in will get you $1 off your payment for that day’s appointment, and every 10 cans will get you an entry into our raffle to win a free massage and adjustment!  All food goes to https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/

We love when patients bring in their furry four legged friends!

Dogg Walking Has Psychological Benefits For You

Get the leash! Walking a dog is not only good exercise. It’s also great therapy, based on a raft of recent studies. Below are six psychological benefits of taking Fido for a stroll.

Boosting exercise motivation

You know how some people are better about making doctor’s appointments or cooking healthy meals for a loved one than for themselves? By the same token, some find that going for regular walks is easier when done for the sake of a four-legged friend(link is external). If you’re the type of person who tends to be highly conscientious and focused on others, your dog’s need for exercise may help propel you out the door day after day, in fair weather and foul(link is external).

Managing stress

If you’re a dog lover, spending time with your pet can be a powerful antidote to stress. Research has shown that being around a dog can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol(link is external) and dampen other physiological stress responses. The effect is so strong that service dogs are sometimes used to help war veterans manage PTSD(link is external). Know what else is a proven stress reliever? Physical activity. When you combine these two things in dog walking, you’ve got a double-strength stress remedy.

Guarding your brain

Dog owners who walk their dogs get more total physical activity(link is external), on average, than those who don’t. Plus, they reap other rewards, such as less stress, which may also improve their health. So it’s no surprise that researchers have found a link between having a canine pal and possessing a healthier circulatory system. In 2013, the American Heart Association issued a scientific statement(link is external), which says: “Pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with decreased [cardiovascular disease] risk.” That includes a lower risk for stroke, a leading cause of disabling brain injury.

Connecting with nature

When you walk a dog, you’re bound to go outdoors, and you may start spending more time in parks and on trails. Studies show that getting out into nature can help restore your attention when it starts to flag. It can also increase your sense of well-being(link is external), especially if you’re attuned to the natural beauty around you.

Decreasing loneliness

If your dog likes to walk, you can count on always having an enthusiastic walking buddy. That companionship not only makes walking more enjoyable. It may also reduce loneliness when your human relationships aren’t going so well. In one clever study(link is external), college students were asked to write about a time when they felt excluded—an activity designed to make them feel rejected. Then they were asked to write about their favorite pet, write about their best friend or draw a map of campus. Thinking about a pet was just as effective as thinking about a friend for staving off feelings of rejection.

Building community spirit

Dog walking is a great excuse to explore your community and strike up conversations with your neighbors. In a study of more than 800 people(link is external) over 50, those who walked a dog at least four times per week were more likely to report feeling a strong sense of community, compared to people who didn’t own a dog. They were also more likely to spend at least 150 minutes per week walking in their neighborhood.

In short, by taking your dog for a walk, you may be boosting your own health andhappiness. Let the heeling begin!

Linda Wasmer Andrews, a health and psychology writer, is walked daily by her dog.Follow her on Twitter(link is external) and Facebook(link is external).

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/minding-the-body/201404/dog-walking-has-psychological-benefits-you

“Look well to the spine for the cause of disease.”
-Hippocrates

5 Fall Foods to Fight Allergies

It’s no secret that Austin is the allergy capital of the country, and Ragweed season is no joke. However, instead of hiding out in your house for the next few weeks, try combatting the pollen from the inside-out by loading up on these seasonal veggies:

Broccoli

This one is a double threat–it’s loaded with allergy-relieving Vitamin D, and it’s also a member crucifer family which can be good for clearing out blocked sinuses. Packing about 80mg of Vitamin C per cup, this veggie is a must for lunches AND dinners!

Kale

Like broccoli, this is another member of the crucifer family. It’s loaded with Vitamin A which is thought to relieve allergy symptoms. Drizzle it with some olive oil, a light dressing, and a few of your favorite salad toppings for a healthy lunch!

Collard Greens

These fibrous veggies have high cartenoid content, which is great for battling allergies. They can take some patience to cook, but the pay-off is worth the wait! Tip: Instead of throwing out the cooking water, try adding it to some soup or use it to cook rice. A lot of the vitamins from the greens will leach out into the water, giving you double the nutrients.

Onions and Garlic

Both onions and garlic contain quercetin, which fights allergies by acting like an antihistamine. Quercetin has been known to calm small allergic inflammations like a stuffy nose. Rather than curing a severe case of allergies, garlic and onions are most effective for warding off symptoms.

Pumpkin

This fall favorite, though technically a fruit, is another one packed full of cartenoids for warding off allergies. Though it is most popular in desserts, this gourd can be quite versatile when it comes to savory main dishes. Do your own research and don’t be afraid to get creative this season. Try something new: pumpkin turkey chili, pumpkin and avocado soup, even pumpkin lasagna! The possibilities are endless.

Each October, the American Chiropractic Association focuses on different aspects of the health benefits of chiropractic. This year is all about creating a pain free nation without prescription painkillers.
“Numerous recent studies have shown the dangerous over-reliance in the United States on prescription painkillers that simply mask the pain, but do not cure it.”

Visit the ACA website to learn more about chiropractic’s drug-free approach to health.