Lifestyle and Wellness Tips

Lifestyle & Wellness Tips

1. Decide. Make the decision that you are willingly choosing to invest in yourself, because it is in your best interest to do so, and also because it is in the best interest of everyone you know for you to be at your best.
2. Understand. Understand what wellness is and what it looks and feels like. Be a student of being well. Continue`reading and learning as much as you can about how the choices you make and the things you think affect your well-being. Be mindful that wellness is a process or a journey, not an event or destination.
3. Know Your Body. Reveal the mystery of sickness and health by knowing the parts of your body, what they are supposed to do for you and what happens when your body isn’t working properly. You are genetically preprogrammed to self-heal and to thrive. Gain the selfconfidence to know that healing is an inside job.
4. Get Aligned. The best-kept secret in wellness is the importance of keeping your main frame in alignment.Your skeleton is made up of your spine and extremities, which all have joints which attach bones together and allow for proper movement. When those joints get subluxated or fixated it has devastating effects on your structural and neurological health.
5. Move It. Exercise is one of the best prescriptions to stay healthy and well. Your body requires motion, resistance, stretching and oxygen to stay strong and flexible. Invest in your future by keeping fit.
6. Eat Well. The foods you consume are filled with chemicals that either help or hurt you. Look through your refrigerator and cabinets and start looking at what is in the foods you are putting into your body. Food is supposed to be the nourishment and fuel to keep you going and the building blocks to support growth of new and health cells. Take a daily supplement for overall health and wellbeing.
7. Relax & Breathe. Everyone needs time to let the body and mind rest and rejuvenate. Whether you like to meditate, pray, listen to nature or inspiring music, shut down and open up.
8. Build Your Wellness Team. Put together your all-star roster of superstar wellness providers with whom you are excited to work. Being excited and inspired by a team of experts will keep you safe and keep you engaged in bringing out your best.
9. Create Your Routine. For wellness to work in the long run it has to become routine. You want to schedule your needs first so that you know you are taking care of what’s most important: You. Take the time to figure out how you can make wellness fit into your lifestyle. If you don’t schedule it, it will likely not happen. Life gets busy very quickly and soon everyone else’s needs are more important than your own. Make sure you know that you are making the time to exercise, eat well, relax and see your wellness team on a routine basis.
10. Enjoy It. Discovering wellness may seem like a lot of work to do, but not doing so isn’t an option for people who want to reduce their risk of health problems and increase their chances for success. The fact is, though, that you receive the most benefit from being perfectly healthy and achieving success when you can enjoy it.

Use these lifestyle and wellness tips to create the richness you deserve in your life.

Is a Chiropractic Evaluation What I Need?

I have noticed many of our patients like to control their own health care. That is to say, they opt to visit on an as-needed basis. There is a simple test of equilibrium that can help the as-needed patient monitor their need for care. At the same time, the topic of equilibrium creates a "teachable moment" during which an interesting comparison can be made between pain relief the chiropractic way and pain relief the pharmaceutical way. Please feel free to use the following article on your bulletin board for lay lectures and for your practice newsletter.

When most people think of chiropractic care, they do so in terms back pain, neck pain, tension headache, sports injuries and similar problems. What many people don't realize is that the same vertebral misalignments or restrictions (subluxations) that can contribute to these painful problems also can disturb your balance.

Good inner-ear function, stable vision, and reliable muscle sense (kinesthesia) are all important for normal balance. Spinal subluxations can disturb any of these sensory functions, in turn creating disturbed balance and increasing the risk of falls and other injuries.1 There is a small but intriguing body of evidence indicating correction of these subluxations through the chiropractic adjustment can assist the body in normalizing these senses, while simultaneously speeding the body's response to painful spine-related problems.2

Although the published evidence demonstrating improved balance after chiropractic adjustments is not yet compelling, it is useful to compare chiropractic to the usual alternative. Commonly used painkilling drugs can drive your sense of balance way off. Most people have a common-sense understanding that muscle relaxants and narcotic painkillers can throw their balance off. What is not widely understood is that the inner ear can be upset by over-the-counter anti-inflamatories such as aspirin and ibuprofen.3 Therefore, even these seemingly "mild" over-the-counter painkillers can create balance problems.

Whether the origin of a balance problem is subluxation, drugs or some other cause, the early stages can be subtle. The following is a useful self-test to help you catch balance disturbances at an early stage:

Single-Leg Balance

First, a note of caution: If you have a recent history of dizziness or poor balance, only perform this test when someone is around. If you have recently sprained, dislocated or fractured any part of your lower extremity (from your hip down to your foot), wait until the injury has healed before doing this test. This test should be performed in flat shoes or bare feet.

Stand facing a corner of the room, so you can easily catch yourself if your balance is not as good as you think it is. With your arms at your sides, stand on one leg. You are shooting for 30 seconds. (If you have to hop, put your foot down or touch the wall, your time is over.) Now, do the same with your other leg. If your single-leg balance time is less than 30 seconds on either leg, then a spinal subluxation, drugs or some other influence may be disturbing your balance.

Failure to pass the single-leg balance test has been linked to an increased risk of falls and subsequent injury.4 A recent study indicates that a loss of balance may be an early warning sign of dementia in seniors.5 If you fail the single-leg balance test, a chiropractic evaluation would be an excellent idea, even if you were not in pain. If adjustments of vertebral subluxations do not improve your balance, your doctor of chiropractic can direct you to another type of practitioner for further evaluation.

If you are in pain, chiropractic care can help your body resolve the problem without risking new injury due to drug-related loss of balance.

Consider the wisdom of the saying: "Chiropractic first, drugs second, surgery last." We think you'll find this saying to be on firm footing.

Chiropractic Philosophy

The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts:

1) the structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself; and

2) the mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes.

Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic ("total person") approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness.

Chiropractic Philosophy includes:

emphasis on patient recuperative abilities rather than surgery

recognition that dynamics exist between lifestyle, environment and health

understanding the cause of illness in order to eliminate it, rather than simply treat symptoms

recognition of the centrality of the nervous system and its intimate relationship with the capacities of the human body

balancing benefits versus risks of clinical interventions

recognition of the primary importance of monitoring progress closely through appropriate diagnostic procedures

a patient-centered, hands-on approach focused on influencing function through structure

focus on early intervention emphasizing timely diagnosis and treatment of conditions that are wholly functional and reversible.

Chiropractic philosophy blends an effective combination of conviction, critical thinking, open-mindedness, and appreciation of the natural order of things.

Chiropractic focuses on the establishment and maintenance of a relationship between patients and their environment which is most conducive to functional well-being.

Your First Choice = Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic:
Better Your First Choice, Not the Last Resort for Spinal Pain

Chiropractors all over the world frequently have new patients confide in them that they are in the chiropractor's office because, They've "tried everything else". These people have seen a slew of doctors of every specialty. These new patients have an unhealthy familiarity with over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. They likely have as much experience with prescription drugs. They arrive with several pounds of x-rays and a diagnosis from Mayo Clinic. They really have tried everything else. Some have undergone one or more spinal surgeries. X-rays reveal rods and screws and wires along with the expected bones.

This leaves the chiropractor at somewhat of a disadvantage. We chiropractors can help effect a great deal of beneficial change in people's spines. Our practices are full because of the expertise chiropractors possess to work toward realigning misaligned painful spinal joints and returning the body to maximum function. However, once there are rods and screws involved we can only work with the existing healthier joints. We can maximize what is there; we just can't do anything about replacing what health and mobility has been permanently lost. Of course, we are more than willing to do the very best we can with what we have.

This article suggests to you that chiropractic may often be your first choice for spinal health care. It can also be your last resort, but what makes chiropractic a superior option from the get-go is that it is non-invasive. Chiropractic also works simply to help the body's natural inborn ability to heal. Workers Compensation studies have time and again shown that chiropractic care for back pain is less costly than other options and returns the employee to work more quickly. A recent Rand study defined chiropractic as the primary option for many low back pain sufferers.

The facts are mounting in chiropractic's favor from patient satisfaction to long-term pain relief. Please consider, also, that there is no expensive hospital stay or drug side effects to be concerned with when experiencing the benefits of chiropractic spinal adjustments. Often, results seem miraculous to people who have suffered long and hard.

Contrast this with the information released by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international network of health-science research volunteers. This group, after reviewing clinical studies, reports on what is and is not supported in the scientific literature. In a recent article printed in Spine, the Cochrane Collaboration reported findings on surgical treatments for several types of low back conditions which showed good evidence for some types of spinal surgeries, but little or no evidence for others.

Just this information alone might make a back pain sufferer look to the less invasive options for correcting the cause of back pain. We are asking you to be informed consumers. We are suggesting, again, that chiropractic should be the first choice which is better than the last resort.

Eleven Tips for improving posture & ergonomics

Introduction to posture and back support:

Over time, poor posture may be caused by habits from everyday activities such as sitting in office chairs, staring at the computer, driving, standing for long periods of time, or even sleeping. Poor posture can easily become second nature, causing or aggravating episodes of back pain and damaging spinal structures. Fortunately, the main factors affecting posture and ergonomics are completely within one’s ability to control and are not difficult to change.

The following guidelines suggest several ways to improve posture and ergonomics, especially for people who work sitting in an office chair for most of the day.

• Know the warning signs of back pain caused by poor ergonomics and posture. Back pain may be the result of poor ergonomics and posture if the back pain is worse at certain times of day or week; pain that starts in the neck and moves downwards into the upper back, lower back and extremities; pain that goes away after switching positions while sitting or standing; sudden back pain that is experienced with a new job, a new office chair, or a new car.

• Get up and move. As muscles tire, slouching, slumping, and other poor postures become more likely; this in turn puts extra pressure on the neck and back. In order to maintain a relaxed yet supported posture, change positions frequently. One way is to take a break from sitting in an office chair every half hour for two minutes in order to stretch, stand, or walk. Just simply taking a few minutes here and there can do wonders...TAKE A BREAK!
  

• Keep the body in alignment while sitting in an office chair and while standing. Distribute body weight evenly to the front, back, and sides of the feet while standing. While sitting in an office chair, take advantage of the chair’s features. Sit up straight and align the ears, shoulders, and hips in one vertical line. Any single position, even a good one, will be tiring. Leaning forward with a straight back can alternate with sitting back, using the back support of the office chair to ease the work of back muscles. Also be aware of and avoid unbalanced postures such as crossing legs unevenly while sitting, leaning to one side, hunching the shoulders forward or tilting the head.

• Use posture-friendly props and ergonomic office chairs when sitting. Supportive ergonomic “props” can help to take the strain and load off of the spine. Ergonomic office chairs or chairs with an adjustable back support can be used at work. Footrests, portable lumbar back supports, or even a towel or small pillow can be used while sitting in an office chair and while driving. Using purses, bags, and backpacks that are designed to minimize back strain can also influence good posture. Proper corrective eyewear, positioning computer screens to your natural, resting eye position can also help to avoid leaning or straining the neck with the head tilted forward.

• Increase awareness of posture and ergonomics in everyday settings. Being aware of posture and ergonomics at work, at home, and at play is a vital step towards instilling good posture and ergonomic techniques. This includes making conscious connections between episodes of back pain and specific situations where poor posture or ergonomics may be the root cause of the pain.

• Use exercise to help prevent injury and promote good posture. Regular exercise such as walking, swimming, or bicycling will help the body stay aerobically conditioned, while specific strengthening exercises will help the muscles surrounding the back to stay strong. These benefits of exercise promote good posture, which will, in turn, further help to condition muscles and prevent injury. There are also specific exercises that will help maintain and strengthen the 'core' of your posture.
  

• Wear supportive footwear when standing. Avoid regularly wearing high-heeled shoes, which can affect the body’s center of gravity and change the alignment of the entire body, negatively affecting back support and posture.
  

• Remember good posture and ergonomics when in motion. Walking, lifting heavy materials, holding a telephone, and typing are all moving activities that require attention to ergonomics and posture. It is important to maintain good posture even while moving to avoid injury. Back injuries are especially common while twisting and/or lifting and often occur because of awkward movement and control of the upper body weight alone.

• Avoid overprotecting posture. Remember that it is important to maintain an overall relaxed posture to avoid restricting movements by clenching muscles and adopting an unnatural, stiff posture. For individuals who already have some back pain, it is a natural tendency to try to limit movements to avoid the potential pain associated with movement. However, unless there is a fracture or other serious problem, the structures in the spine are designed for movement and any limitation in motion over a long period of time creates more pain and a downward cycle of less motion and more pain, etc.
  

And finally, follow your grandmothers advice: sit and stand up straight, don't slouch down and walk with your shoulders back. The oldest advice that keeps coming back around has always been good advice to follow.

What Can You Gain From Acupuncture Therapy?

What is acupuncture therapy?

Acupuncture therapy involves insertion of very thin, stainless steel needles into various parts of your body. To produce better stimulation, low frequency electric currents are also applied to the needles.

Acupuncture therapy is an effective means of stimulating acupoints with lasers, ultrasound, and electricity.

The procedures which can also be used in conjunction with acupuncture therapy are:

• Auriculotherapy - Placement of needles in the ear
• Acupressure - Use of manual pressure
• Vitamins
• Homeopathic solutions which are inserting through the needles

Acupuncture therapy is applied to the acupuncture points which are supposed to be located throughout your body. During the past 2000 years there were 365 points located which represented as the days of the year. Gradually this number is increased to around 2000.

More than 12 million Americans are using acupuncture therapy for pain relief.

The vital energy or chi/qi in your body flows through channels, are also known as meridians.

Meridians consist of branches which connect to bodily organs or functions. Any imbalance to these chi levels is considered as illness.

Acupuncture therapy can cure:

• Chronic pain in the neck and back
• Behavioral problems
• Migraines and headaches
• Ligament and muscle tear
• Genitourinary conditions
• Problems with the stomach and intestine
• Muscle and nerve problems
• Injury related pain such as strains
• Cardiovascular conditions

Diagnosis before conducting acupuncture therapy:

The diagnosis of a patient includes many things like:

• Patient’s medical history and lifestyle
• Examining the skin and tongue
• Listening to breathing sounds
• Pulse recording

The electrical properties in your body can become imbalanced several weeks or months before the physical symptoms occur.

De-stress Secrets!

The following site has helpful hints and ideas on how some simple steps to eleminate stress from everyday life.

We hope you do enjoy it and find it helpful.


www.fourweeksmag.com/lifestyle24hourvacation.htm

A-Care Chiropractic in Richardson Texas!

Welcome to A-Care Chiropractic & Acupuncture located in Richardson, Texas.

Dr. Alexander Leybovich is your choice for all of your chiropractic needs and proudly serves the city of Richardson and the surrounding Plano and North Dallas areas. Please come by our office and let our caring professional staff cater to your every need.

Dr. Leybovich is extensively trained in various healing modalities and utilize the bridge technique that uniquely combines traditional therapies along with oriental healing arts such as Acupuncture and proven alternative therapies to create balance and restoration to your body.

He loves his profession and treats all of his patients with care. Your health affects everything you do and is the main factor in the quality and quantity of your life.

Schedule an appointment today and receive a Free courtesy evaluation which includes an initial exam and consultation.

We look forward to meeting you and helping you on the road to recovery!

A-Care Chiropractic & Acupuncture, "The Place where you get care"!

http://www.blogger.com/www.alexcare.com
870 N Coit Rd #2651
Richardson Tx
Phone: 972-664-9089
Fax: 972-664-9014

Or email the front desk assistant for more information.
frontdesk@alexcare.com

We are conveniently located in Richardson between Plano and North Dallas. We are one of DFW's most highly respected chiropractic offices. Dr. Alex is an experienced chiropractor. Call to schedule an appointment today!

Treatment & Therapies that are used

Spinal Decompression

3 Phases of DTS Therapy

• Treatment
• Stabilization of Structure
• Support of Muscular System

The gentle distractive forces of the Triton DTS creates decompression, the unloading due to distraction and proper positioning, to improve blood flow and important nutrient exchange to the injured area.

Your comfort and safety are of primary importance during DTS Spinal Decompression Therapy. Therefore, unlike any other decompression device, you have several positioning options. Only if you're 100% comfortable will you be able to achieve the ultimate objective of complete rehabilitation of your discs and spine. During DTS Therapy, you'll experience several cycles of stretch and relaxation, which gently graduates to a peak over a period of several minutes.

Therapy sessions typically last less than 20 minutes, and most patients feel pain relief with as few as 6-10 treatments. It is important to remember however, that pain subsiding does not infer that your discs and spine are healed, so it's critical that patients stick with the treatment protocol prescribed by their practitioners in order to achieve the full value of DTS Therapy.

"Cold" Laser Treatment

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has demonstrated the ability to significantly accelerate and enhance the body's natural defenses and repair components in the presence of injury, inflammation, and certain disease processes.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a principle, not a technique. Therefore, there are many ways to stimulate an pressurepoint other than a needle. Many chiropractic Doctors use electronic stimulation, laser beam or light massage to treat a pressurepoint. The principles of Acupuncture do not change, only the technique.

Ultrasound

Highly effective in treating calcium deposits, reduces nerve root irritation, increases blood flow, relaxes muscle spasms, massages damaged tissues and speeds the healing process. It reduces edema, increases intracellular metabolism and acts as a local aesthetic producing immediate relief of pain.

Electric Muscle Stimulation

Used to produce muscle contraction, decongestion, stretching of fibrotic tissue and hyperemia. Blocks pain, reduces swelling and inflammation. Promotes muscle tone and speeds the healing process. It stimulates muscles by supplying an artificial contraction of spasm in order to fatigue muscles, which are in spasm.