Are chiropractors bone doctors or nerve doctors?

This question stumps many people.  The answer: nerve doctors.  It’s the nervous system that determines your health.  We use the alignment and movement of the bones to make impressions on the nervous system.  The bones are there to protect the delicate nerves with the skull and 24 vertebrae.  The 32 pairs of nerves that branch out from between the vertebrae carry messages to and from the brain.

The image below shows how the nerves extend outward from the brain to the spinal nerves to the ‘appliances’ of the body.  Nerve disturbances occur when the spine is subluxated.  A subluxation is a structural imbalance or fixation causing nerve disturbance.  Nerve disturbance results in an inappropriate signal (either too high or two low) from the brain to the body or from the body to the brain.  The word ‘subluxation’ can be broken down into the prefix ‘sub’ which means ‘less than’ and ‘lux’ which means ‘light or life’.  Subluxations, if left uncorrected, have a negative impact on your health and ability to express your health potential.

Why is the nervous system so important?  You literally live your life through your nervous system.  Everything you see, touch, taste, hear, think and do is the result of information your brain receives and processes.  It’s easy to see how optimal health begins with a healthy spine and nervous system.

The ability to measure the nervous system truly separates the good chiropractors from the great ones.  Make sure you and your family develop a relationship with a wellness based chiropractor who uses nerve scan technology (see Insight Millenium).

How many prescription drugs do you take on a daily basis?

The intent of this message is not to bash on Big Pharma, but shed some light on the current trends in America.  Obviously there is a time and place for certain medications.  I do believe that 90%+ are not necessary because they are taken to lifestyle related diseases.  Lifestyle diseases include hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, obesity, type II diabetes, etc. 

Consider this:  the United States consumes 50% of the world’s OTC and prescription drugs while representing 5% of the global population.  If we take so many drugs how is it that the U.S. ranks virtually dead last in overall health statistics for industrialized countries?  More drugs does not equal more health.  In fact, it may be just the opposite.

The image below shows the trend of taking medications  to offset the side effects of other medications.  It can become a viscious cycle.  If you are taking medications I suggest you consult your medical doctor on how to get on a weaning program…even it if requires that you start exercising, controlling stress and eating real food.  Remember, a healthy lifestyle may seem a bit inconvenient at first, but being unhealthy and sick will be even more inconvenient.

Pop Quiz!  Who is responsible for your health?  Is it A) the government, B) the insurance company, or C) YOU.

Correct answer is …..C) YOU.  This question may not be so easy to answer for many people (especially in the U.S.).  Read the following quote from our government driven Medicare system.  ” Care that seeks to prevent disease, promote health, and prolong and enhance the quality of life, is not considered medically necessary”.

Wow!  I must question the very term, “health care”.  Our ‘health care system’ should be referred to as ‘sick care system’, right?  What do you need to BE to use your health insurance?…..sick!  Wouldn’t a health care system promote health, disease prevention, prolong and enhance the quality of life, and be proactive in nature?

Obviously your health is your responsibility.  Our culture suggests that ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’.  This is a crisis-management paradigm for putting out fires with our health.  I believe that an ounce of prevention does equal a pound of cure.  If our culture could paradigm shift into this level of thinking we would see statistical improvements.  Unfortunately the current statistics are depressing.  The U.S. rates 37 out of the top 39 industrialized countries in overall health.  We consume more OTC and prescription drugs that anyone else.  We spend more money on health care than anyone else. 

Lets hope that SHIFT HAPPENS!  Start by setting a good example for your community by taking responsibility for your health.  The rest will follow.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

What organ comes to mind on Valentine’s Day? …. the heart <3.   Below are my top five heart healthy foods.  Most of these I consume on a daily basis.  All of them are consumed at least once a week.  Enjoy!

“Healthy By Choice, Not Chance.”

Remember the movie ‘Star Wars’?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ve heard this quote from Yoda, “Do or do not, there is no try”.  I love this quote and find myself using it frequently.  In fact, there are three words that I do not allow in my life: ‘but’, ‘try’ and ‘can’t’.  I hear people use these powerless words all the time.  Some of my practice members tell me that they will TRY to eat healthy, or TRY to go to the gym, or TRY to keep a positive attitude.  We call it the ‘T-word’…and it’s not allowed to be uttered in my office. 

Take it from Yoda!  He knew what worked and what didn’t work.  The quicker you remove the word TRY from your vocabulary the quicker you’ll accomplish your desired outcomes.  How do you try to go to the gym?  You are either commited to going, or not.  How do you try to maintain a healthy attitude?  There is no try.  Contribute to your own health and catch yourself using powerless words.  Pay attention, be aware and slowly change the conversation you have with yourself.  Soon enough you will healthy by choice, not chance.

You are what you eat. 

This cliche has been tossed around since I can remember.  It’s true!  The food you eat today will be walking and talking a few days from now.  Hopefully you are made of food…and not crap. 

Today’s message is simple.  Eat more FOOD and less CRAP.  Take an inventory on what you’ve been eating most of the time.  Utilize the 90/10 rule.  90% of the time eat super healthy.  10% of the time treat yourself to something you enjoy.  Unfortunately, most people in America live the 10/90 rule….and that’s definitely a contributing factor for our rapid decline in health.

Eating healthy is 1/3 of being healthy.  If you eat healthy, but have a negative attitude and live a sedentary lifestyle, then you are still an unhealthy person.  Start with small changes over time.  Slowly add foods that are healthy and natural, then begin removing the crap from your daily routine.