Yoga Class Cancellations

If an instructor gets ill and we can’t find a sub … or in case of a holiday … you’ll know when we do if a class is canceled!  Please check our cancellation list before dropping in to classes.  If you are pre-registered, we will call you prior to class to alert you of the cancellation!  We apologize for any inconvenience!

 

Currently no cancellations!

 

All other classes are on as scheduled … please check back soon!

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Yoga Photos & Videos

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Yoga Instructors

 

Scott Tod

Registered Yoga Instructor

More info coming soon!

 

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Yoga Pricing

• All packages must be paid in full and have a 90-day or 6-month expiration.
• Yoga packages may also be applied toward Meditation class.
• Packages not valid on workshops, parties or intensives.
• If for any reason you cannot use all of your prepaid classes in six months, please speak with the office staff about an extension prior to your original expiration date.
• Class sets may be transferable (restrictions may apply) but not refundable.

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Yoga Studio Etiquette

We are so excited that you are considering our yoga practice and want to be sure your journey with us is as relaxing, stress-free and enjoyable as possible. In order to make everyone’s experience amazing, we do ask that all participants entering the studio to be mindful and respectful to yourself, all other participants, the instructors and staff, and the studio. In order to keep our studio peaceful and beautiful, we ask that all participants freshen up on our studio etiquette and sign-in procedures.

New students should complete our New Student Yoga Information Pack and bring it with them to class. Please arrive about 10 minutes before your first class to ensure enough time to get registered, checked-in and for us to help get you acquainted with the space and procedures.

Studio Etiquette and Class Procedures

We strongly encourage pre-registration for classes as space is limited and priority is given to those who reserve their space. Students may email us at info@wecreatewellness.com or call 317-870-7220 to sign in. Students can drop in, however, class may be full, or canceled.

Arrival and Sign-In

The doors will be open to students at least 15 minutes prior to class. We strive to begin class on time. This gives us the needed time before and after class to assist our students. Once class has begun, the doors will be closed and late students may not be admitted.

Please stop by the front desk to check-in prior to entering the studio. If you need to rent a mat or towel, the front desk receptionist will take care of this for you before class.

Help yourself to a cup of water or tea or purchase one a refreshing, healthy beverage from our cooler or juice bar. We encourage you visit with other yogis, ask your instructor for tips about your practice or a particular pose, or check out our library books and DVD’s, or shop our wellness area. We encourage you to ask questions of your instructor after class as well.

For the ultimate in your yoga experience, we encourage you to try the OWC Yogi Experience …

• Drop some of our pure essential oil on your wrist and allow the scent to relax your mind and body.
• Claim your acreage and place your mat on the floor.
• Rest with your eye pillow over your eyes and forehead. We have cold or room temperature, scented or unscented ones available.
• Enjoy the music and prepare your mind, body, and spirit for your upcoming practice!

Classroom Tips

• Seek advice from a physician before beginning any type of exercise program, including Yoga.
• Eat 1 to 1½ hours before practicing, or eat something light. Be well hydrated and have water available during class.
• Wear well fitted yoga/exercise clothing free of belts and buttons. We typically keep the room between 72 to 76 degrees (excluding hot yoga!) … so please wear layers that can be removed during class if you get too hot or uncomfortable.
• Slip off your shoes and stay awhile … yoga is best practiced in bare feet.
• Avoid putting heavy lotion on before your practice as this may cause slipping and interfere with practice.
• Please bring a mat with you to class. If you do not have a mat, you may rent a mat and towel from the office for a minimal fee. If you need assistance in purchasing a mat, ask your instructor about the different options of mats.
• You may place all personal items in the cubby area in the back of the yoga room. Please try to use just one space for your belongings if possible.
• During the practice, let go of conversations and be mindful of others around you.
• Yoga is non-competitive! Be mindful of your limitations. Listen to and respect your body. Your practice is your practice.
• All class packages have an expiration date. It is the student’s responsibility to take all classes within the time allotted. If for any reason you cannot use all of your prepaid classes in six months, please tell the desk staff prior to your original expiration date & you may be given more time. Class sets are transferable (restrictions may apply) but not refundable.

Cancellation Policy

• Cancellations for a previously registered class are accepted up to 1 hour prior to class.
• A minimum of 2 students is required for a class to run. The best way to make sure a class will not be canceled is to call to register.
• Students signed up will be notified by phone and email if class is canceled.
• Canceling less than 1 hour prior to class, or a no show, may result in being charged for the class. This will be charged to the purchased package.

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Yoga Class Descriptions

Flow Yoga

This class is a great workout that strengthens, lengthens, and builds endurance. Flow yoga moves smoothly from one pose to the next. It also incorporates holding poses. This class will elevate your heart rate and tone and stretch your muscles. Our classes are small and teachers give pose modifications which makes it suitable for all levels. Some beginner students may wish to start with our beginner flow or gentle class. Each flow class is a little different. Instructors will gently guide and challenge students. You are encouraged to practice at your own pace. Weights may be used at times, but are always optional. A 5-10 minute relaxation period brings the class to an end which includes breathing and relaxation techniques. Be sure to grab your favorite eye pillow!

Hot Yoga

Another great workout! Hot yoga is just like our flow yoga class with the room heated to 88-92 degrees. Heat allows muscles to become more pliable and enables a deeper stretch. It also helps to ease muscle soreness. Just like our flow class, students are gently guided and challenged, but also encouraged to practice at their own pace. Pose modifications are given. Beginners are welcome, but may want to take beginner flow or flow first. A 5-10 minute relaxation period brings the class to an end which includes breathing and relaxation techniques. Be sure to grab your favorite eye pillow!

Beginner Flow

Learn basic yoga poses in a slow paced flow class. Instructors will guide and show students how to move into and hold poses. Some props may be used to assist students. You will be encouraged to practice at your own pace. This is a great class for beginners and students who haven’t exercised in a long time. If you are overweight and concerned you can’t do yoga, this is a great class for you to embrace your yoga practice.

Gentle Yoga

A relaxing, slow paced class where we practice basic yoga poses. Gentle, relaxing poses are held longer than in a flow class. This class is great for beginners, those who want to take a gentle route, and a nice class to take in between flow or hot yoga. A 5-10 minute relaxation period brings the class to an end which includes breathing and relaxation techniques. Be sure to grab your favorite eye pillow!

Restorative Yoga

Restorative Yoga is a therapeutic class that aides students in attaining deep relaxation and tranquility. We use blankets, bolsters, pillows, blocks and straps to support the body to deepen the benefits of the poses. Gravity does the work. The body and mind progressively relax and experience the benefits of de-stressing. This is a wonderful class for beginners, those rehabbing an injury, or anyone seeking to de-stress and completely relax.

Prenatal Yoga

A gentle and relaxing class ideal for pregnant women. Suitable for beginners. Increase flexibility, strength, circulation and balance. Adapt more gracefully to changes in your body. Yoga can help reduce swelling, back and leg pain, and insomnia. Learn to be present, breathe and let go, which will directly apply to the experience of labor and delivery. A 5-10 minute relaxation period brings the class to an end which includes breathing and relaxation techniques. Be sure to grab your favorite eye pillow!

Chakra Yoga

The chakras are energy centers, or nerve bundles, which run along the spinal column. They have powerful effects on the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. By learning how to focus your intention to the chakras, you will be able to deepen your practice. Each class will focus on one or more of the 7 chakras: their symbolism, and the physical and emotional systems they govern. Jill will guide you through a practice to ignite your chakras through asana, discussion and meditation. All levels are welcome.

Yin Yoga

The universe is comprised of both yin and yang qualities. Yin is the stable, unmoving, hidden aspects of existence, while yang is the moving, changing, revealing aspects of existence.

Yin yoga is a quiet, restorative practice that focuses on expanding and nourishing the deep connective tissues of the body, specifically the ligaments and fascia that connect the bones. Stretching these tissues can bring healing to areas of chronic injury, especially involving the spine and hips. In addition, yin practitioners believe that energy travels throughout the body through meridians in the connective tissue. Yin yoga helps unblock the flow of energy in these channels, bringing balance and healing to the body, mind, and spirit.

In a yin practice, you will find the opportunity to bring stillness to your body and mind. We will move slowly, holding each posture for several minutes. This gentle, meditative practice is appropriate for students of all fitness and experience levels.

Safari (Kids) Yoga

Preschool girls and boys are invited to participate in yoga inspired games and activities while practicing yoga poses. Breathing exercies and relaxation time will help these little ones with concentration, coping with pressures, and relaxing. Many of the other benefits for young kids are improving strength, flexibility, coordination, posture, self esteem and confidence. This class is suitable for all levels.

Teen Yoga

Our Teen Yoga for ages 11-up is a discipline for girls and boys to develop and strengthen inner awareness mentally, emotionally and physically. Angela provides these pre-teens and teens the opportunity to get away from competitive academics and sports. To explore peer and parental pressures and get in tune with their bodies, express themselves and relate to other teens their age. With dedication and commitment the results of yoga are many; increased self-confidence, improved posture, decreased stress levels and the ability to find peace when faced with challenging situations. This class is suitable for all levels.

Private Yoga Sessions

In your private yoga session you will be guided through yoga poses suited just for you and your goals. Great for beginners, those rehabbing an injury, students who want additional help with pose modifications, an opportunity for intermediate/advanced students to receive assistance with more advanced poses, or those who want to practice one on one.

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Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial Sweeteners

Most of the public today is familiar with names like NutraSweet, AminoSweet, Sweet-N-Low, Equal, and Splenda. These artificial sweeteners are a popular choice for many Americans for their marketed appeals of “low calorie” and “no sugar” properties. To the uneducated person, this seems like the healthier choice. But are artificial sweeteners really healthful?

Symptoms Associated with Artificial Sweeteners

Neuritis/Sciatica/Shooting Pains
Gastrointestinal Disturbances
Retinal Damage & Blindness
Enlarged Liver and Kidneys
Reduced Growth Rate
Thymus Gland Shrinkage
Behavioral Disturbances
Headaches/Migraines
Buzzing/Ringing in Ears
Blurry or Misty Vision
Dizziness & Vertigo
Memory Lapses
Nerve Damage
Miscarriages
Numbness
Weakness
Diarrhea
Chills

Are you one of the billions of Americans suffering from artificial sweetener toxicity?

NutraSweet … Not So Sweet!

NutraSweet, AminoSweet and Equal are forms of aspartame. Aspartame is used in a wide variety of food products including diet sodas, low fat foods, and even most chewing gum as a sweetener. If you are one of the millions of people grabbing “diet” products off the shelf for health and weight benefits, you may want to enlighten yourself about the highly toxic side effects that come with it. Studies have shown it is extremely difficult for overweight patients to lose weight when they continue to ingest aspartame.

Aspartame accounts for over 75% of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA per year.  I have seen many patients adversely affected by aspartame.  Patients have reported a variety of negative symptoms including headaches, seizures, muscle aches and pains, weight gain, rashes, depression, insomnia, hearing loss, palpitations, vertigo, memory loss, and numbness.

Why do people experience these varied side effects? The chemicals that make up aspartame: Aspartic acid and Phenylalanine, are excitotoxins that act as neurotransmitters in the brain. Excitotoxins actually excite the neurons in the brain to the point of cellular death. Layman terms – your brain becomes so over-stimulated by these chemicals that it begins killing itself.

Research is now showing how detrimental these artificial sweeteners are on the nervous system of the young, middle-aged, elderly – and especially during pregnancy. There are multiple illnesses associated with exposure to excitotoxins including:  multiple sclerosis, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia.  It is crucial to eliminate all aspartame from your diet.

Splenda … Not So Splendid!

Splenda is a form of sucralose. Based on the name and high-dollar marketing, Splenda fools people into thinking sucralose is natural because it is made from sugar. It is true that the first step in making sucralose comes from a sugar molecule. However, they next add a chlorine molecule. It is no secret that consumption of chlorine is toxic to the human body – that is scientific fact.

Let’s take a look at 3 important facts: 1) There have only been six human trials on Splenda to date; 2) The longest trial lasted 3 months; 3) At least 14% of Splenda is not excreted from your body in a timely manner.

Considering Splenda actually shares more chemical characteristics to DDT (a pesticide linked to many diseases) than it does to sugar, are you willing to gamble your health on this data? These toxic elements accumulate in the fat and other tissues of the body and can remain in your fat for decades.

What is in a name …

For would it taste as sweet if it were called methanol-n-formaldehyde?

Sweet-N-Low, Splenda, NutraSweet sound much more inviting than methanol and formaldehyde to the general public. It is amazing what a new name and some marketing dollars can do for a toxic product. Yes, these artificial sweeteners can actually turn into methanol and formaldehyde in the human body when heated and ingested. Scientific research agrees!

Aspartame and sucralose must be completed avoided when heating food or drinks—such as coffee or tea. It changes its chemical structure to a formaldehyde-like product.  Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and deadly neurotoxin.  The body is unable to excrete it quickly enough and toxicity occurs. Now, I don’t want to insult your intelligence, but I would like to refresh your memory on what formaldehyde is – A CHEMICAL AGENT USED TO EMBLAM AND PRESERVE A BODY.

Why should you care? People who are consuming artificial sweeteners found in many “diet” and “no sugar” products are slowly embalming and preserving their body. It may sound like an excellent anti-aging slogan, but that’s not how it works. It’s killing your brain, your nervous system, your body and creating a long, slow agonizing death in the near future. Start reading your food labels and avoid artificial sweeteners!

Want an easy, simple solution to cut back on your health care costs in the future – PLEASE STOP DRINKING POISION and stop feeding it to your children. If you know someone that gives their baby or child Diet Coke, Gatorade, Crystal Light or chewing gum—please pass along this information.

“Methanol is considered a cumulative poison due to the low rate of excretion once it is absorbed. In the body, methanol is oxidized to formaldehyde and formic acid: both of these metabolites are toxic.”

~Environmental Protective Agency

Healthier Alternatives to Sugar

It is first important to note that sugar—is sugar. Whether you currently consume artificial sweeteners for weight reasons, diabetes, or just the taste, you must weigh the risks to the apparent benefits. Controlling your consumption of refined sugars is something that everyone should be mindful of, but what you substitute it for makes a BIG difference in your long term health.

We suggest that you first cut out refined sugars that are found in candy, sodas, sports drinks, pastries and baked goods, and even most frozen or boxed foods. Second, never consume products with aspartame or sucralose. These neurotoxic chemicals are found in soft drinks, gum, dessert mixes, pudding, yogurt, cheap chewable vitamins, sugar-free cough drops and other no-sugar products. Check labels.

The true natural sweetener that has stood the test of time is stevia. Do NOT use Truvia or PureVia, which has two other additives that claim to be safe & natural but have not been used in combination together ever before and therefore leave the long-term effects of use unknown. Stevia is safe, natural, and has stood the test of time. However, there have been studies linking stevia use to infertility, too.

Other natural sweeteners include organic raw honey and organic Grade B pure maple syrup. Keep in mind, these are still high in sugar—but are a much healthier solution to refined sugar, aspartame, and sucralose.

Fluoride

The Truth About Fluoride

Many people need to avoid fluoride altogether to preserve their health. We know this because scientists in government agencies have documented it extensively. So why do they continue to add it to over 75% of public water supplies in the US? And how can they claim that it is safe and “optimal” when one person may drink 1 cup of water a day and another may drink 1 gallon of water a day?

The U.S. Public Health Service reported in 1991 that people living in cities with “optimal” water fluoridation can easily receive a total daily fluoride exposure exceeding 6.5 mg … more than 600% higher than the “optimal” amount. And water is the first item on the list. Fluoride is also found in:

• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Dental Treatments
• Soft Drinks and Juice
• Commercially raised fruits & vegetables
• Processed and canned food, wine, beer, coffee and tea

And that’s just to name a few—not to mention increasing fluorine pollution in the environment.

Pros and Cons of Fluoride

Fluoride is more toxic than lead and nearly as toxic as arsenic according to the Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products 5th Edition, 1984). It is NOT an essential nutrient. The fluoride added to your drinking water is in fact a chemical waste product that was classified as a toxic waste in this country for years. In fact, not too long ago its only approved uses were as an insecticide and a RAT POISON!

The biological effect of fluoride on living tissue is the disruption of enzyme activity, including the enzymes that maintain life in the cells of the human body. Fluoride is an endocrine disruptor that was used for decades in Europe as a drug to treat overactive thyroid by depressing thyroid function. Alarmingly, the dosage once prescribed to reduce thyroid activity is about the same amount ingested by people in many communities today.

Healthy kidneys are able to clear less than 50% of the fluoride taken into the body, and kidneys are prone to damage in the fluoride-filtering process. Fluoride is bone-seeking, and fluoride that is not excreted by the kidneys accumulates primarily in the bones, never to leave. Does it make any sense to surround the bone marrow, the blood factories of the body, with a toxic element more deadly than lead?
So why is fluoride hyped up to be this life-saving nutrient that we all should get? Dentists have been recommending fluoride treatments, fluoridated toothpastes and mouthwash for years to prevent cavities. Interestingly enough, there are no scientifically-valid tests to prove this theory for safety and effectiveness. Fluoride was never the answer to tooth decay and new testing is proving that the areas of the world without fluoride are showing the same rates of tooth decay as fluoridated areas.

However, all over the world the rate of dental cavities has fallen dramatically in developed countries, even though most have never added fluoride components to their water. The common factor seems to be better nutrition and higher health standards.

Government Alert:
Several Groups at High Risk for Fluoride Toxicity

BABIES: In November 2006, the American Dental Association (ADA) announced that babies up to 1 year of age should avoid fluoridated water because they are at high risk of developing dental fluorosis—a defect of tooth development that can result in staining, pitting, and corrosion of the enamel. In fact, both the ADA and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that infants not receive fluoride due to its toxic nature. The recommendation goes as far as using non-fluoridated water to make formula.

CHILDREN: That same month The Lancet reported that fluoride may damage a child’s development brain. The article described fluoride as an “emerging neurotoxic substance” because of evidence linking fluoride exposure to lower IQs in children and brain damage in animals.

In 1993, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) listed several groups of people at high risk for fluoride toxicity. Below are excerpts from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, April 1993:
“Existing data indicate that subsets of the population may be unusually susceptible to the toxic effects of fluoride and its compounds. These populations include the elderly, people with deficiencies of calcium, magnesium, and/or vitamin C, and people with cardiovascular and kidney problems. Because fluoride is excreted through the kidney, people with renal insufficiency would have impaired renal clearance of fluoride (renal clearance means how well the kidneys are able to do their job and filter the body’s blood).

“Impaired renal clearance of fluoride has also been found in people with diabetes mellitus and cardiac insufficiency …People over the age of 50 often have decreased renal fluoride clearance…Postmenopausal women and elderly men in fluoridated communities may also be at increased risk of fractures.”

Healthy Alternatives to Avoid Fluoride Toxicity:

Try these safe, natural alternatives that can be found at Optimal Wellness Center.

• Use toothpaste free of fluoride—especially kids!  We love SPRY!

• Use fluoride-free/non-alcohol based mouthwash … SPRY makes a fantastic mouth wash, too!

• Never drink tap water—Invest in a water purification system for your home.

• Removing fluoride from tap water at home is not simple. Investing in a reverse osmosis, distiller, or alkalizing filter is highly recommended for all and a requirement for those on the high risk list. Most bottled water and inexpensive filters (Brita) do not remove fluoride from the water.

• Eat organic foods and juices.

• Organic produce is grown without the use of pesticides that contain fluoride.

• Avoid processed foods and sugar to avoid cavaties and decay.  They cause high acidity in the body and break down bone (in the teeth and the skeleton!) Especially sodas, juices, and chewy, sticky candy.

Pregnancy and Chiropractic

Pregnancy is the prime example of one of favorite sayings of “Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t real or important.”  The millions of different hormonal changes and chemical reactions that occur in the mother and the developing baby are definitely real and certainly important during pregnancy.  The fact that our bodies innately know how to make and bake a child inside a woman’s uterus is absolutely mind-blowing.  So how does our body know and coordinate all these important life processes?

The nervous system.

Now more than ever, during pregnancy you need a nervous system that responds immediately and accurately to changing requirements in all parts of your body, and therefore you need a healthy spine!

A person’s spine is made of 24 moveable bones called vertebrae, plus the sacrum (tailbone), pelvis, and skull.  This hard casing from our head to our rear serves 2 main functions:  1) protects the delicate tissue of the spinal cord and brain from damage, and 2) allows for motion of the back and neck that keeps us safe, mobile, and living.

From the brain, nerve impulses travel down the spinal cord,  branch out into nerves, and exit between the vertebrae.  When the vertebrae become misaligned or unable to move properly a condition called vertebral subluxation occurs.  Subluxations irritate and interfere with the function of the nerves.  Inteference to the nervous system during pregnancy can slow or stop important messages from the brain to the body of the woman and impact the developing fetus.  Through safe, effective and gentle chiropractic adjustments, proper function is restored and interference is removed, allowing the body of both mother and baby to adapt to the rapidly changing environments during pregnancy.

Let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions:

Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?

Why should I have chiropractic care during pregnancy?

How does chiropractic benefit pregnant moms?

What about chiropractic care and breech deliveries?

Is it safe for my newborn to be adjusted?

Should I talk to my doctor about chiropractic?

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Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?

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In the 100+ years of chiropractic care, there have been no known contraindications to chiropractic care for mothers-to-be.  In fact, the majority of pregnant women under chiropractic care report improved motion, less, pain, overall sense of well-being and decreased delivery times.

A fabulous technique offered by some chiropractors has been helpful with breech presentation.  Webster Technique is not a treatment to turn breech babies, but allows for the body to function properly and often results in the baby turning naturally.  Click to read more about Webster Technique.

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Why should I have chiropractic care during pregnancy?

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The millions of changes that occur in a mother’s and developing baby’s body during pregnancy place a great amount of pressure on the nerves, muscles, and bones of the spine.  The most predominate change is the protruding abdomen, which increases the curve of the lower back. These changes place excess stress on the nervous system.  Why is this important?  Remember it is the nervous system that controls and coordinates all processes of life, including the reproductive system of the mother and the cells, organs, and tissues of the developing baby.  Keeping the spine aligned helps the entire body work more effectively.

A large focus of chiropractic care is focused on relieving intrauterine constraint by establishing proper alignment and balance of the pelvis and sacrum.  When the pelvis is  out of alignment it may reduce the amount of room available for the baby and put unnecessary pressure on the developing baby.

A misalignment of the pelvis may also make it more difficult for the baby to move into proper position during delivery.  This is one reason why pregnant mothers under chiropractic care experience a shorter delivery time and may help with reducing breech or other improper positioning of the baby.

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How does chiropractic benefit pregnant moms?

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Chiropractic care during pregnancy provides many benefits for mothers-to-be and their unborn child. Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:

• Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
  
• Controlling symptoms of nausea
  
• Reducing the time of labor and delivery
  
• Relieving back, neck or joint pain
  
• Preventing a potential cesarean section
  
• Maintaining uterine ligament flexibility & balance
  
• Enhancing function of nervous system

According to recent studies, chiropractic care may result in easier pregnancy including increased comfort during the third trimester and delivery and reduced need for analgesics (pain medication). In one study, women receiving chiropractic care through their first pregnancy had 24% reduction in labor times and subjects giving birth for the second or third time reported 39% reduction in shorter labor times. In another study, the need for analgesics was reduced by 50% in the patients who received adjustments. In addition, 84% of women report relief of back pain during pregnancy with chiropractic care. When women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy, the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis function better. As a result, there is significantly less likelihood of back labour (contractions and sharp pain felt in the lower back during labor). Chiropractic care has helped new mothers become more comfortable breastfeeding (posture-wise) as well as to produce more milk. Chiropractic care has also been shown to reduce the likelihood of postpartum depression.

If you are 1 in 200 women who suffer from pre-eclampsia with hypertension and albuminaria (protein in urine), chiropractic care may be of benefit.  The cause is unknown but can lead to seizures, coma, and death.  One study investigated the link between the lumbar spine (located in the low back) and pre-eclampsia.  It revealed that women with decreased lumbar spine curves had more pre-eclampsia.  They also found that patients with reduced lumbar curves had decreased blood flow to the iliac artery than normal pregnant women.

(Hypolumbarlordosis: a predisposing factor for preeclampsia. Kanayama N. Maradny EE, Kajiwara Y. et al. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 1997;75: 115-121.)

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What about chiropractic care and breech deliveries?

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The late Larry Webster, D.C., founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, developed a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that enables chiropractors to establish balance in the pregnant woman’s pelvis and reduce undue stress to her uterus and supporting ligaments. This balanced state in the pelvis makes it easier for a breech baby to turn naturally. The technique is known as the Webster Technique.

It is considered normal by some for a baby to present breech until the third trimester. Most birth practitioners are not concerned with breech presentations until a patient is 37 weeks along. Approximately 4% of all pregnancies result in a breech presentation.

The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported in the July/August 2002 issue an 82% success rate of babies turning vertex when doctors of chiropractic used the Webster Technique. Further, the results from the study suggest that it may be beneficial to perform the Webster Technique as early as the eighth month of pregnancy when a woman has a breech presentation.

Currently, the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association recommends that women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy to establish pelvic balance and optimize the room a baby has for development throughout pregnancy. With a balanced pelvis, babies have a greater chance of moving into the correct position for birth, and the crisis and worry associated with breech and posterior presentations may be avoided altogether. Optimal baby positioning at the time of birth also eliminates the potential for dystocia (difficult labor) and therefore results in easier and safer deliveries for both the mother and baby.

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Is it safe for my newborn to be adjusted?

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Having a nervous system that is functioning at its 100% potential, especially when you’re pregnant, creates the optimal environment for your baby to reach their full potential.  Many women who get adjusted throughout their pregnancy notice the benefits and learn many lifestyle habits that will continue to promote and enhance their wellness potential.

Even natural births can stress a baby’s spine and breastfeeding problems can arise if the baby has a subluxation and is unable to comfortably turn its head to one side.  Colic, ear infections, low immunity, asthma, allergies, constipation, diarrhea, kidney issues and so many more conditions are commonly helped by gentle chiropractic care for infants, children, and adults.

Mothers can rest assured that their infant will receive safe, highly specific and gentle adjustments to correct subluxations. Actually, the pressure used to make an adjustment to an infant is the same pressure you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato. There are a number of different chiropractic techniques. We will work with you to find the best one for you and your child. A chiropractic adjustment is no more dangerous to a child than a regular check-up with a pediatrician.

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Should I talk to my doctor about chiropractic?

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Chiropractic is becoming more and more well-known and more women are seeking the benefits of chiropractic care throughout pregnancy.  While many health care providers are referring pregnant patients to chiropractors, you do not need a referral from your physician to receive chiropractic care.  If your doctor is not yet familiar with chiropractic care in pregnancy, ask them to find out more about its many benefits and mention the ICPA’s website at www.icpa4kids.org. Most importantly, seek options that support your body’s natural abilities to function and find a team of providers that is respectful of your choices.

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Meditation

The benefits of meditation are clearly evident, researched and now documented in scientific journals … and OWC couldn’t be more excited to bring a heightened sense of awareness to the community through our weekly meditation classes and course studies!  Join us for an inspiring and purpose-driven hour of relaxation and re-charging!

Meditation is a heightened sense of awareness or state of mind. This awareness is accomplished by using concentration, inner focus and total mind/body relaxation. The main goal of meditation is to reduce the amount of sensory stimulation that is common in today’s fast-paced society. There are a number of different techniques and ways to practice meditation.

At OWC, we have found that a group meditation brings a higher awareness and greater benefits to participants. Surrounding yourself with like-minded, purpose driven individuals provides the love and support we all need to continue the practice of meditation. Join us for one of our classes and meet others on their spiritual journey and learn new and different ways to relax, unwind, and recharge your body, mind, and soul.

Space is limited and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Please contact us for more information or to sign-up for classes!

Mondays | 6:30pm – 7:45pm

$15 drop-in class

(Call for current promotions and package pricing. Donations accepted for those with financial hardship)

8-Week Meditation Series

Coming Soon!

Course Tuition = $120

In a study published in the January 30, 2011 edition of Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers concluded that an eight week mindful meditation practice produced measurable changes in participants’ brain regions associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress. This is the first study to document meditation-produced changes in the brain’s grey matter over time. (NaturalNews)

Our meditation guides will not only walk you through a comfortable practice, but will talk you through the basics of a healthy and regular practice, how to practice comfortably, helpful breathing techniques and the important and benefits of a regular meditative practice.  This 8-week course will feature different practices every week and will build on each class.  The full study will leave you inspired and prepared to continue your practice for continued enlightenment!  Please call for registration and more information at 317-870-7220.

Benefits of Meditation

Improvement of general health

Improved mental health

Improved spiritual health

Improvement in concentration

Improved longevity

Decrease in stress

Improvement in creativity

Deeper levels of relaxation

Slower heart rate

Lowers blood pressure

Reduces anxiety

Decreases muscle tension

Decrease in pain

Improves self confidence and self esteem

Increases serotonin production (low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches)

Aids in chronic disease such as allergies and arthritis

Reduces PMS

Enhances immune system

Greater orderliness of brain functioning

Improved focus, perception and memory

Reverse the aging process

Increase in self actualization

Increase in productivity

Organic Produce

Organic and conventional produce vary drastically in many ways. Where traditional farmers apply chemical fertilizers to the soil to grow their crops, organic farmers maintain a strict standard in which they feed and build soil with natural fertilizer. Traditional farmers use insecticides to get rid of insects and disease, while organic farmers use natural methods such as insect predators and barriers for this purpose. Traditional farmers control weed growth by applying synthetic herbicides, but organic farmers use crop rotation, tillage, hand weeding, cover crops and mulches to control weeds.

During production, organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, additives, preservatives or irradiation to maintain product integrity. In animals, organic products are raised without the use of growth hormones, antibiotics and other toxic chemicals. These animals have not been genetically engineered or cloned. Conventional meat and dairy production commonly uses a combination of these unnatural processes.

Health Benefits of Organic Foods

Higher Nutrient Levels

Many tests have been done to determine if organic food really has more nutrients than the conventional food we find in every grocery store. One study revealed that the mineral level in fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy have declined substantially in conventional foods. If you combine this with earlier picking (pre-ripening), longer storage, and more processing of crops it’s not that surprising that the nutritional value in the conventional grocery store food is depleting. Artificial fertilization associated with conventional crops produces lush growth by swelling produce with more water. On a pound for pound basis, organic food has more “dry matter” which is the actual food which contain more nutrients.

In a 1993 study by the International Academy of Nutrition and Preventative Medicine, they compared the difference between organic foods to commercially store bought foods. They compared apples, pears, potatoes and corn for over 2 years. The organic foods had, on average, over 90% more nutritional elements than the store bought foods!

Lower Pesticide Residue

Consuming organic food certainly isn’t the only way to improve ones nutrient intake, but is one of the safest. In monitoring programs, the tests have shown that around one in three non-organic food samples contain a variety of pesticide residues, with far lower levels being found in and on organic produce. While thoroughly washing your produce helps, it does not remove all pesticide residues.

An Israeli researcher has also linked symptoms such as headaches, tremors, lack of energy, depression, anxiety, poor memory, convulsions, nausea, indigestion and diarrhea with dietary intakes of pesticides. Belgian research had found that women diagnosed with breast cancer are six to nine times more likely to have pesticides DDT or hexachlorobenzene in their bloodstream compared to women without the cancer. Hawaiian researchers following 8,000 people for 34 years have found that increasing consumption of conventional fruit juice (fruit grown with the chemicals) raises the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

No Food Additives

Artificial colorings and preservatives in food and drink are thought to contribute to hyperactivity in pre-school children, and while many still contest this issue, a recent study in UK found that the proportion of hyperactive children was halved when additives were removed from their diets. Many additives- such as preservative, artificial sweeteners, coloring and flavorings, MSG, hydrogenated fat and phosphoric acid are prohibited in organic food production.

Not only is eating organic providing you with substantially more nutrients but it also eliminates many of the toxic chemicals that may produce illness. It’s an obvious choice for you and your family, eat organic.

Cost Effectiveness of Organic Foods

It’s a myth that eating organic is more expensive – both short term and long term. Colleen Huber’s article, Your Family Could be Eating Organic Food for the Same Price as Processed Foods – or Less, demonstrated that you would save $1.22 per person per week eating a healthy organic diet as compared to a typical processed diet. Add up the amount of money you will save in a lifetime without chronic disease – a healthy body is priceless.

Certain foods tend to have higher or lower amounts of pesticides. Visit www.FoodNews.org for more information. Pesticides are extremely important to monitor and consider, especially in kids. Buying organic produce lowers pesticide levels in kids. Please remember that it is still better to eat non-organic vegetables than none at all. If you cannot afford organic or if your only organic options are wilted and rotten, it is better to buy fresh and non-organic.

Top 12 Foods to Buy Organic

Peaches	Apples
Bell Peppers	Celery
Nectarines	Strawberries
Cherries	Kale/Spinach/Lettuce
Grapes (Imported)	Carrots
Pears	Red Raspberries

Cleaner Non-Organic Foods

These foods are lower in pesticides and are safer to buy non-organic

Onions	Avocados
Sweet Corn	Pineapple
Mangos	Asparagus
Sweet Peas	Kiwi
Cabbage	Eggplant
Papaya	Watermelon
Broccoli	Tomato
Sweet Potatoes	Brussels Sprouts

5 Easy Ways to Be More Organic

1. Remember this rule of thumb: Fresh food is always better than frozen, but frozen is better than canned.  Buy lots of fresh veggies, they’re usually less expensive than canned versions.  If you have the space, grow your own fresh veggies such as greens, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers, string beans, etc.  Be sure to use them soon after  picking before they go bad!
2. Attend a Farmer’s Market: Buy directly from your local organic farmers and produce sellers. Many communities have a “farmer’s market” where vendors gather daily or weekly to sell freshly grown organic produce.  If they don’t have “organic” foods, you are still better off choosing local foods over store bought produce.  Often, locally grown foods are raised according to organic standards at a more affordable price.  If all that’s available or affordable is fresh, conventionally  grown (store bought) produce … buy it and wash it well!
3. Ask organic at your local store The rising demand has created an organic trend and most grocery stores. If you have a specific food that they don’t carry, they will usually provide it for you. All you have to do ask. We prefer to support local, family owned natural food stores like Georgetown Market where the staff is knowledgeable and helpful and can be an excellent resource to expand your healthy lifestyle.
4. Talk with local chefs who use organic ingredients Ask the chef at your favorite restaurant to offer organic options. If they already do, ask the chef where they purchase their organic foods. Sometimes you can buy directly from the restaurant.
5. Grow your own: Growing your own organic garden may be easier than you think. There are many resources available to help you get started. Check out websites on the subject like www.gardenswebsite.com
6. Join a co-op or buy on-line:

• www.walnutacres.com
• www.healthyfoodmall.com
• www.organickingdom.com

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pH Balance

Acidity and alkalinity are measured according to the pH (potential of hydrogen) scale. Water, with a pH of 7.0, is considered neutral. Any substance with a pH below 7.0 is acid, while anything with a pH above 7.0 is alkaline.

The body functions best when the pH of most of its fluids range between 6.8 to 7.0 pH. Within the body, different systems have their own optimum pH, with the stomach, for instance, being highly acidic with a pH around 4; the upper portion of the small intestine being an alkaline environment; and the large intestines and colon again being acidic.

All organs and fluids will fluctuate in their pH range in order to keep the blood at a strict pH of 7.35 to 7.45, even if it destroys “less important” body systems. This is the reason that saliva and urine pH levels are used to test the overall health of the acid/alkali system. If there is an imbalance within the body, excess levels can be detected in these bodily fluids as they are rushed to or away from the blood. Proper balance is the key to health.

Cause & Effect of pH Imbalance

When our eating choices are too high in fat, protein, and simple sugars, excessive acid may be produced in the body. To reduce the acid burden, the body links these acids with alkaline minerals (like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and others) and excretes them. Over time this can deplete the body of needed minerals and lead to a build-up of excess acids in your cells. This reduces the efficiency and effectiveness of your cells and tissues, not to mention explains bone loss and osteoporosis! Is it really due to a lack of calcium or too much acidity in the body that steals the calcium to stay balanced?

Our bodies can also produce excessive amounts of acid by being exposed to foreign elements by way of infection, pollution, and improper digestion. This burdens the immune system. When the burden exceeds the body’s reserves, a continuous state of distress can emerge. As a consequence, the chemical messengers associated with stress, like cortisol, adrenaline, and insulin, increase. Chronic elevated levels of stress hormones can be devastating to health.

With excess acid load, the delicate machinery of your body does not work very well. This cellular machinery is delicately balanced to work best within a narrow, slightly alkaline range. The efficiency of energy production in the cells reduce with even slight excess of cell acid. This induces loss of resilience and repair mechanisms, and you become more susceptible to fatigue, illness, and pain. While your body tries to remove excess acid, even more critical minerals are lost as well.

The Dangers of Chronic Acidity

To be too acidic in the body can have far reaching consequences that can wreck the body until blood pH is stabilized. Your body goes through many steps:

1. It takes alkaline elements from the enzymes in the small intestine to stay balanced which leaves the intestines too acidic to digest food optimally. The pancreas, liver, and gallbladder are forced to make up for this deficiency. This has a direct bearing on enzyme production, which is literally involved in every biochemical reaction in the body. The result is lowered immune function, fatigue, hormonal imbalances, absorption and digestive problems.
2. The bones will leach calcium, the most alkaline mineral. This can lead to reduced absorption of supplemental minerals and bone density problems.
3. Insulin levels increase and fat is stored instead of being metabolized. When malnutrition or starvation sets in, the body becomes acidic and as a safety, insulin is over produced so that all available calories are stored as fat for future use. As a result, weight gain is common and weight loss becomes more difficult.
4. Electrolyte imbalances occur which have a direct bearing on the “fluid transport system”. Electrolytes are important because they are what the cells, especially the nerve, heart and muscle cells use to maintain voltages across cell membranes. This further stresses the kidneys, gallbladder, pancreas, and other organs.

Eating Raw: The 80/20 Rule

A basic rule of thumb to follow to achieve and maintain pH balance is to eat 80 percent alkaline-forming foods and drinks and 20 percent acid-forming foods and drinks each day. If a pH test indicates that your body is too acidic, you should eat more alkaline-forming foods and omit acid-forming foods from your diet until another pH test shows you have returned to normal. Conversely, if your body is too alkaline, eat more acid-forming foods and omit alkaline-forming foods.

A self test is easy to perform using litmus paper—which can be picked up in our office or at Georgetown Market. We also have a step-by-step instruction sheet on how to properly take your saliva and urine pH that can be downloaded BY CLICKING HERE . Monitoring your pH gives you an indication of how well or how hard your body is working to survive your lifestyle.

***For a list of acidic and alkaline-forming foods please reference our

Acid & Alkaline Food Chart***

Tips to Maintain A Healthy pH Balance

1. Chew your food slowly to fully soak and mix your food with saliva and do not overindulge.
2. Do not drink fluids during meals, especially cold drinks.
3. Eat a diet of 50% raw foods. Raw foods not only maintain the correct acid/alkaline balance within the body, but they are richer in nutrients that are easily assimilated into the body and neutralize the acidity to reduce acidosis. Check out our Acid & Alkaline Food Chart!
   
4. Do not overcook vegetables, as this makes them lose not only their flavor, but also their nutritional value.
5. Eat processed foods in moderation. They are low in nutrients, often contain lots of sodium, trans-fats, and preservatives, and overtax the digestive system.
6. Avoid eating late at night, as this makes the body spend its energy on digestion instead of restoration and healing.
7. Take digestive enzymes with meals, especially if indigestion is a chronic problem. Heartburn and indigestion are often the result of poorly digested food putrefying in the stomach. If you suffer from heartburn, take 1-2 teaspoons of natural apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. If the vinegar method works, this may indicate that you lack sufficient acid in your stomach.
8. Practice deep breathing, especially before sitting down to a meal; postpone eating if you are angry, upset or overly stressed until you have taken time to calm yourself.
9. Do a series of Ionic Footbaths to boost pH balance throughout your entire body & help purge unwanted, harmful toxins that keep your body acidic. Contact us for our Specials & Pricing!
10. Check your pH levels regularly, especially if you are dealing with a chronic condition.

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Immunity

When it comes to the common cold and flu, you will hear the word “immunity” in constant use. However, your immune system plays a vital role in daily health, the prevention of disease, and treatment of serious health conditions. Without your immune system, you have no health. Our goal in the office, and with this article, is to not only educate you in what immunity really is, but ways that you can boost your immune system.

We are not born with a full functioning immune system, unlike most systems in the body. Your immunity is continuously built up during a lifetime of exposure to pathogens. In fact, the most important jump start an infant’s immune system receives is a nice soak in the bacteria-filled birth canal. This is why the natural childbirth is through the woman, not through a surgeon’s knife and hands.

The first several years of life has the strongest impact on immunity. If you were one of the unlucky kids that didn’t get to eat a handful of dirt, chew on cat or dog hair, or get the chicken pox … your immune system was deprived. For current or future parents, please do not buy into the germ theory that animals are bad, vaccines and antibiotics are good, and that you must triple sanitize everything with toxic cleaners before letting your infant suck on it. The evidence just doesn’t support these things.  Saying germs cause disease is like saying that rats cause dumps.  If the environment (the body) is dumpy (unhealthy), rats and germs can survive and flourish.  If you clean up the dump, the rats go away.

What is Immunity?

Immunity defined:

Your body’s natural defense against infectious and invading pathogens (like parasites, virus, bacteria and inorganic substances). To the left is a picture of a type of immune cell killing invading e. coli.

Like an army protecting the borders, your immune system protects the internal borders of your body. The higher your immune function, the more likely you are to adapt to the environment. We call this, your adaptive potential. The more likely you are to adapt to your environment, the more likely you are to survive in the environment. Your immune system directly reflects your ability to survive.

Poor immunity = poor health = accelerated aging = premature death.

Scientists agree that our germ-phobia mentality and overdosing of antibiotics and vaccines is contributing to our poor immune function as a whole and explains the drastic increase in cancer and premature deaths.

Where is Your Immune System?

Simply …. EVERYWHERE. It is in your gut, it’s circulating in your blood, it’s your lymphatic system, it’s your nervous system, it’s in every cell, organ, and tissue. It is literally … everywhere in your body.

The majority of the immune system is found in the gut. This is why your body needs the good, healthy bacteria known as probiotics. This is also why antibiotics are so detrimental to overall health – they virtually destroy the immune system because they destroy the necessary good bacteria your body needs for digestion and health. What you put in your body (or don’t put in your body!) directly effects your immune system and health. (For more info, I highly suggest you pick up our “Probiotics or Antibiotics” handout.

Experts in the neuroimmunology field describe the immune system as your “circulating nervous system”. There is a direct link between the function of the nervous system and the function of the immune system. This is the main reason why our patient’s voluntarily continue with wellness chiropractic adjustments to maintain a healthy nerve and immune system for better health. Scientifically, it just makes sense.

Another large component of immunity lies in the flow of your lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system is what filters out toxins in the blood stream. Once the toxins are swept out of the blood stream, they are carried through your lymphatic system through a series of vessels and nodes via a clear fluid. Many people are aware of the danger of cancer reaching your lymphatic system as that is a sign that it has or will soon spread throughout the entire body. A clean, fully functioning lymphatic system is crucial to your immunity.

The toxins are pumped out of the lymphatic system through gravity and muscular contractions. However, when it becomes stagnant (due to lack of exercise , subluxations, or too many toxins), the fluid can become thicker, making it harder to circulate out of the body. This is again where chiropractic care excels better than any other at improving lymphatic flow and a healthy nervous system.  Yoga, massage and exercise play a vital role in immunity as well.

Stress and Immunity

As I always tell my patients, “it’s not the stress but how well you adapt to stress that determines whether stress impacts health. One’s range of adaptability to stress is governed by the nervous system. As we stated above, the function of the nervous system directly impacts the function of the immune system and this is backed by 100% concrete scientific evidence. When the nervous system is functioning, your body’s ability to adapt to and deal with stress is significantly improved.

The Biochemical Link of Stress on Immunity and Health

Stress negatively impacts immunity by affecting the hormone cortisol. Cortisol not only effects the production of other hormones and chemicals in the body, but it also effects an enzyme called Telomerase. Before you stop reading, let me put this in English for you. A telomere is part of your DNA. Think of a strand of DNA like a shoelace. The little hard plastic covers at the end of the lace that prevent it from getting frayed and damaged, is the telomere. The telomere basically keeps the DNA and is like the life clock for how long the cell lives. Cortisol decreases the lifespan of the enzyme telomerase, which in turn causes premature aging and death to the cells. In summary:

STRESS CAUSES PREMATURE AGING AND DEATH!

To add on to that, scientists have discovered certain messengers (neurotransmitters and neuropeptides) on the cells of the immune system called monocytes. Neurotransmitters were originally thought to only be present in the brain and nervous system – now they are being found throughout the entire body.

Monocytes are the circulating immune cells found in the bloodstream – so they travel through the whole body and have free access to every cell in the body. Hence, why we said the immune system is everywhere! The immune cells are hardwired with the ability to mirror the nervous system. What does this mean to you? When you are happy, sad, thoughtful, excited, and so on … your brain and nervous system make certain chemicals messengers (neurotransmitters and neuropeptides) that are not only circulating in your brain but are also circulating in your blood through these immune cells called monocytes. So the old saying that “laughter is the best medicine” … is true!

Sure does make you think! These intelligent chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) are not only made by the brain whose function is to THINK, but are also made by the immune system, whose primary role is to PROTECT us! This also takes the connection of stress and immunity to an entirely different level with the mind-body connection.

Strategies to Boost Immunity

A strong immunity is not built from simply adding one of these strategies. Building a strong immune system takes time and takes effort. If you already doing one of the following, try adding one more every couple of weeks. This is an achievable and affordable goal. If you do not currently do any of the following, please do not try to incorporate all of them tomorrow. That is a difficult goal to reach and you may set yourself up for disappointment. You must find the path that is right for you. If we can assist in any way, please contact us and let us know how we can help you achieve your wellness goals.

Get Adjusted

Adjustments not only boost nervous system function, but are highly beneficial for boosting the immune system as well. If you have never had your nervous system evaluated (back pain or not!), you are missing a huge component of immunity

Meditate

Meditation is known to significantly reduce and manage stress that drags down your immunity. Whether you voluntarily take time for yourself and your health NOW or you unwillingly take it later when you are sick or dis-eased, your body requires attention and there is no better way than through meditation.

Sleep

Lack of sleep suppresses immune system by up to 50%! The body repairs and rebuilds during sleep. If you cut your sleep – you cut your body’s ability to heal and your immune system’s ability to rebuild. You should be getting 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. Having sleep difficulties? Click here for more information!

Nutrition

Put the good in! Eat 4 – 5 servings of fruits AND vegetables per day. Take a high quality Multi-Vitamin like Vitalize. If you don’t give your body the right nutrients to build and fuel it, how can it possibly work efficiently? Just as a car needs gas, your body requires bare essential nutrients as well. Fuel your body’s fire appropriately! Get the bad out! SUGAR destroys the immune system and unfortunately, it is in almost everything in an American processed diet. Check your food labels! Especially important to watch sugar intake with kids because their immune systems are still being significantly built.

Water

Experts have estimated that over 80% of the population is dehydrated and often confuse the signs of dehydration with other common symptoms. Without proper clean fluid levels in the body, your body cannot naturally detoxify and move the toxins out.

Probiotics – Not Antibiotics

Antibiotics suppress immune function! If you give your child antibiotics for an ear infection, he/she is 4 – 8 times more susceptible to infection in the future (including bacterial, viral and parasite infections).

Exercise

Is very important to circulate blood and lymphatic flow which cleans and removes toxins from tissues. Lymph moves by muscular contractions so exercise is extremely important. If your lymph blocks up and becomes stagnant, so do toxins and pathogens in your body. When toxins don’t circulate out of your body, they remain trapped and wreak havoc. Lymph also moves with the help of gravity. Anytime your head is below your heart (as done in exercises like yoga), lymph moves into the respiratory system and aids as a great immune defense as it sweeps away germs and toxins that often enter the body through your nose and mouth. When you return to the upright position, gravity drains the lymph, sending it through your lymph nodes for cleansing. I highly suggest Yoga for Immunity, inversion tables, and mini-trampolines called rebounders.

Sunlight and Vitamin D

The sun causes your skin to make Vitamin D which is not just for strong bones. It is essential to immunity and overall health.

Massage

Is very beneficial for getting and keeping lymphatic flow moving so your body does not become stagnant. Movement is life, stagnant is death

Remember … building a strong immune system is a process – just as life and health are both processes. It is impossible to build a strong immune system overnight. Do not get discouraged if you don’t “see” results right away. Every choice you make either builds or destroys your immunity!
Which way are your choices taking you?

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Neurotransmitter Descriptions

The following information is from NeuroScience, our reliable, accurate company that not only interprets and reads the testing in our office, but is on the cutting edge of neurotransmitter research and technology. I highly recommend visiting their website for more information at www.neurorelief.com.

Neurotransmitters are broken down into 2 primary categories: INHIBITORY and EXCITATORY.

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Chiropractic: Your Best Defense Against Swine Flu & Influenza

Media reports of Swine Flu in Mexico and now several US cities are frightening to many Americans, who are made to feel helpless. As a result, many will turn to dangerous vaccines out of fear and a lack of honest information. This virus is a strain of H1N1, the same virus responsible for the 1918 Flu Pandemic (often referred to as the “Spanish Flu”).

At this point, most confirmed cases in the United States have been mild and there have been no confirmed fatalities. However, in Mexico there has been a high case fatality rate among young adults, 25-44, with atypical pneumonia, which has similarities with the 1918 flu pandemic.

The 1918 influenza pandemic has been labeled in history as one of the most devastating outbreaks in the history of the world with deaths estimated at between 20 and 40 million people. Over 675,000 American citizens lost their lives due to this awful epidemic. Why are we talking about this?

The 1918 flu crisis has been labeled in the Chiropractic profession as the reason for our success and proliferation as an occupation. Why? Because we were offering a solution to millions of people to naturally boost their immunity and allow their body to defend and heal itself from invading pathogens. Chiropractic adjustments are not just “popping bones”.

The primary purpose for an adjustment is to remove any irritation or interference in the nerves that are the information highways from the brain to the body. When this information highway gets congested, the life flow that runs through the nerves telling the brain and body what is going on inside, cannot flow efficiently – resulting in a number of symptoms and diseases. Chiropractors allowed the body to function as it was designed to do and in turn, patient’s struck with the Swine Flu were able to regain their health – without vaccines and drugs.

Statistics to Ease Your Soul

In Davenport, Iowa, 50 medical doctors cared for 4,953 cases, with 274 deaths. In the same city, 150 chiropractors including students and faculty of the Palmer School of Chiropractic treated 1,635 cases with only one death.

In the same state, Iowa, medical doctors treated 93,590 patients, with 6,116 deaths – a loss of one patient out of every 15. In the same state, excluding Davenport, 4,735 patients were treated by chiropractors with a loss of only 6 cases – a loss of one patient out of every 789.

National figures show that 1,142 chiropractors treated 46,394 patients for influenza during 1918, with a loss of 54 patients – one out of every 859.

Yes, the medical profession was seeing a majority of the worst of the worst; however, one of the greatest statistics backing chiropractic care comes from the state of Oklahoma. In addition to chiropractors treating 3,490 cases of influenza with only 7 deaths, chiropractors were called in to treat 233 cases where medical doctors had cared for the patients and pronounced them as “lost” or beyond hope … Chiropractors took care of all 233 with only 25 deaths.

In the same epidemic, New York health authorities (who kept records of flu as a reportable disease) showed that under chiropractic care, only 25 patients died of influenza out of every 10,000 cases; and only 100 patients died of pneumonia out of every 10,000 cases. This comparison is made more striking when viewed in the following table:

Medical Vs. Chiropractic Treatment in 1918 Swine Virus Outbreak

Which system do you want to trust your life to?

Medical – which research shows to have prevented less deaths.

Or Chiropractic – where the research shows treatment is safe, effective and saved the lives of those that the medical profession diagnosed as “lost”? Your health is your choice. Make an educated decision.

Chiropractic’s journey into health care took a huge leap forward thanks to its incredible effect on the thousands of Americans during the flu crisis. What I hope you all gain from this is the incredible results of the chiropractic adjustment. When you get adjusted, you decreased sustained sympathetic tone in your nervous system (bad), which subsequently leads to an increase in immune function (good), among many other consequences (Journal of Neurophysiology, February 2007).

An increase in immune function is important for everything from the cold and runny nose to influenza, cancer, and heart disease, not to mention the great enhancing effects on a healthy individual. This is why we encourage you all to come in to get checked with our state-of-the-art technology despite if you are not feeling the best. An adjustment will stimulate your immune system to better fight off any illness in your body.

The stresses that people endured in the early 1900s were entirely different than those we incur presently. In order to achieve these dramatic results you must not only get adjusted, but also make changes in your lifestyle so your body can at least have an opportunity to heal. A few simple steps can maximize the effects of your adjustments. Eat more green, leafy vegetables with every meal, take a 20 minute walk outside every day, and have a more optimistic view on life.

“I encourage everyone to have their spine and nervous system checked and adjusted if needed. An adjustment often stimulates the immune system to better fight off any challenge, including influenza.” – Dr Lauren Montieth, DC (Wellness Chiropractor)

References

1. Rhodes WR: “The Official History of Chiropractic in Texas.” Texas Chiropractic Association. Austin, TX. 1978.

2. Kent, Christopher: “Neuroimmunology — an update.” The Chiropractic Journal. August, 2001.

3. Kent, Christopher: “Neuroimmunology and chiropractic.” The Chiropractic Journal. October, 1995.

4. Kent, Christopher: “The mental impulse-biochemical and immunologic aspects.” The Chiropractic Journal. February, 1999.

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Massage Therapy

Massage therapy shares a main common goal as holistic chiropractic care: to to treat the whole person rather than symptoms through natural, hands-on, drug-free techniques. When used in combination with each other, these therapies are preventative and restorative, helping to address the source of stress and pain so that you may achieve optimal health.

Massage therapy is based upon the premise of the body having the ability to self-heal and regulate. If the muscles of the body become imbalanced, for example, it can lead to a variety of problems. If muscles are shortened and tightened and one side, the muscles on the opposite side may become overstretched, which can cause pain, weakened circulation, and other problems. But worse, this tightness may also pull the bones the muscles are attached to, sabotaging the work of the chiropractor to realign the body.

A massage therapist can soften and stretch the muscle groups, relieving stress on the opposing muscles groups and strengthening weaker muscles, which complements the work of a chiropractor. Those that are seeking massage therapy for pain but are still suffering should consider chiropractic care, especially if the pain goes away briefly but recurs or, in more serious cases, worsens. If your pain is caused by subluxation, for example, your chiropractor may be able to provide you with immediate relief by realigning and mobilizing your joint. And when it’s not being subjected to the stress of being misaligned, the soft tissue around your joints will likely heal much more quickly.

Those that combine massage therapy and holistic chiropractic care, will generally enjoy a faster recovery. And since multiple components of the pain are being addressed, the recovery is usually also more complete.

In this blog, we will discuss the most frequently asked questions regarding therapeutic massage:

What is massage therapy?

What does massage involve?

How much does it cost?

What are the benefits of massage?

What kinds of massage are available?

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy, is the massage and manipulation of the muscles and soft tissue of the body. Massage therapy promotes better circulation and lymphatic flow, brings health and tone to the body, and prevents stiffness and muscle injury.

What does Massage Therapy involve?

Massage therapists use a variety of massage techniques, including effleurage (a light, feathery touch), gliding, kneading and rubbing. Massage is done in a private, clean, quiet area with a minimum of noise or outside stimulation. You may choose to partially disrobe or remove all of your clothing if you are comfortable. If you prefer to remain partially clothed, don’t hesitate to tell the massage practitioner. You will always remain covered by a sheet and blanket at all times during the massage.

How much does it cost?

The cost of a massage treatment often varies on the type of service and therapist, years of experience, and treatment outcomes. Rest assured that we have massage techniques to match your needs and comfort levels. We offer 15-min, 30-min, 60-min and 90-minute massages. Please contact us for current pricing and specials!

What are the benefits of Massage?

In the words of Dr. Andrew Weil, MD, “Many people think of massage as an indulgence or luxury, but there is also ample evidence that massage can benefit many health conditions, from anxiety and back pain to sports injuries and tension headaches.” Common benefits people experience from massage therapy include:

• Improves and increases circulation
• Relieves muscular tension and stress
• Facilitates the body’s natural healing process
• Promotes healing (especially after injuries)
• Relieves pain
• Aids in drainage of excessive fluids and toxins
• Restores mobility to injured tissue
• Balances energy flow throughout the body
• Stimulates feelings of well-being
• Helps connect mind, body, and spirit

Other Types of Hands-On Healing offered by OWC:

AROMATHERAPY

BACH FLOWER REMEDIES

CHIROPRACTIC

COLD LASER THERAPY

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

DECOMPRESSION

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE

EAR CANDLING

GRASTON THERAPY

GUIDED IMAGERY

HEALING TOUCH

HOMEOPATHY

KINESIOTAPING

LYMPH DRAINAGE THERAPY

MEDITATION

PILATES

REFLEXOLOGY

REIKI

SHIATSU

TRIGGER POINT MYOTHERAPY

VISCERAL MANIPULATION

YOGA

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A Simple Breathing Meditation

Step 1: The first step of meditation is to create an environment in which to be successful. A place free of distractions. No cell phones, screaming kids, televisions blaring or anything else that might pull your mind away. Our goal is to make our mind more clear and lucid, to reduce the clutter in the active mind (Beta waves) and build a quieter more lucid creative state (Theta waves). We can accomplish this goal with a simple breathing meditation.

Step 2 – Posture: Choose a quiet place to meditate and sit in a comfortable position. You don’t have to be in a stereotypical cross-legged posture but any position that is comfortable is acceptable. Sitting comfortably in a chair is fine as long as you keep your back straight and your body relaxed. Try to align your ears, shoulders and hips. Sit tall and reach the top of your head towards the ceiling. Look across the room to the point where the wall meets the ceiling. Close your eyes and relax. As you become more advanced I would like you to close your eyes half-way without really looking at anything. At first you may find this too distracting.

Step 3 – Attention and Breathing: Turn your attention to your breathing. Breathe as naturally as possible. Breathe through the nostrils, without attempting to control your breathing. As you breathe in, use your diaphragm and fully oxygenate your lungs. Focus your attention on your breathing. Turn your awareness to the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves the lungs. Keep your focus on the feeling and sensations of the air as it passes through your lungs. We should try to concentrate on it to the exclusion of everything else.

Step 4 – Keeping your focus: At first, you will find that your mind is cluttered with the stress in your life. You will find your focus moving from your breathing to random thoughts of things that you need to do, stresses of the day, work, family and life in general. As quickly as you get distracted move your focus back to your breathing. You may be surprised at how busy our mind actually is. This is normal. Understand this is how cluttered your mind typically is throughout your waking hours. Continue the process of refocusing on your breathing as many times as necessary until the mind stays focused on your breathing.

Step 5 – Persistence: Practice persistence and gradually your distracting thoughts will begin to melt away. This is your mind settling down and moving from the more active brain waves of Beta waves, to a more healthy state of Theta. You will begin to experience states of inner peace and relaxation. You will discover your mind feeling more lucid and spacious and you will experience a state of renewal much like you feel after a nice afternoon nap. I want you to stay in this state for 20 minutes.

Step 6 – Habit: I want you to practice this simple meditation for twenty minutes per day for the next 21 days straight. It takes 21 days to develop a lasting lifestyle habit. After 21 days you will have developed new lifestyle habits that I have found to be more beneficial to your health than eating right or exercising. The object is not to substitute meditation for another healthy habit but to add it to your lifestyle and build the momentum of wellness.

As simple as this is, it can be quite powerful. We can see from this practice that it is possible to experience inner peace and contentment just by controlling the mind. We can detach our mind from the everyday stress and emotions. When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment natually arises from within.

This feeling of contentment and well being helps us to cope with the busyness and difficulties of daily life. So much of the stress and tension we normally experience comes from our mind, and many of the problems we experience, including ill health, are caused or aggravated by this stress. Just by doing breathing meditation for ten or twenty minutes each day, we will be able to reduce this stress. We will experience a calm, spacious feeling in the mind, and many of our usual problems will fall away.

Difficult situations will become easier to deal with, we will naturally feel warm and well disposed towards other people, and our relationships with others will gradually improve.

The Role of Chiropractic in Children with Autism

The November/December 2003 issue of the magazine “Autism Digest” contained an interesting article on the subject of Autism and the effect of chiropractic care on those children. The article was authored by world known chiropractor for children, Dr. Joan Fallon. In her article she notes, “While it has regularly been associated with back pain or headache, increasing numbers of parents are seeking chiropractors for children and especially for children with developmental issues.”

The article starts off by noting that Temple Grandin, an author of two books on autism, is herself autistic. The article notes that in her books she repeatedly discusses sensory integration difficulties as being the core of her autism. Additionally, a growing numbers of professionals also tout sensory difficulties as one of the hallmarks of autism.

Dr. Fallon describes this phenomenon by saying, “Sensory integration is defined as the disorganization of the multisensory input into the body. People who experience sensory integration problems have profound and often debilitating difficulty with touch, taste, smell, sound or visual input.

Non-autistics can often experience sensory issues as well, such as the irritation we feel from a band playing too loudly, or an immediate headache from a certain smell. While these may be bothersome to the typical person, such sensory stimuli can be “noxious” to the autistic child and often manifest in infancy as colic and in the older child as hyperactivity, the “inability to listen”, or unexplained behavior issues, especially in children who lack communication.”

The article continues by stating that Chiropractic care should be the cornerstone of the sensory integration treatment plan for the Autistic child. Dr. Fallon notes, “Chiropractic care differs from many of the other therapies used with autistics in that it is directed to the heart of the problem: the lack of homeostasis in the body, which can, in turn, produce a disease state. Treatments are directed to the imbalances in the nervous system which inhibit sensory processing. By directly affecting the nervous system, chiropractic care for the autistic child can begin to change the many sensory integration issues by facilitating input into the organs and areas of the body involved in sensory integration, including the skin and the nervous system.”

The article then explains that the imbalances in the nervous system are caused by “Subluxations” in the spine. “The presence of Subluxation can cause illness as well as a host of other problems for the child,” contends Dr. Fallon. “The chiropractor administers an adjustment as the mainstream portion of care. The adjustment is administered in areas where there is the presence of a SUBLUXATION. Subluxation occurs where a segment of the spine consisting of two vertebrae and a disc between them, has lost their juxtaposition. Proper juxtaposition is necessary to maintain the integrity of the various systems that are located there, not the least of which is the nervous system.”

This is a perfect example of how the innate intelligence of the body can heal itself when given the right tools. Notice in this story they did not say that Max had back or neck pain. Max was a child that had interference in his nervous system that was not allowing the body to function and express itself as it was designed to do. The chiropractor simply removed this interference in the nervous system, through an adjustment, and allowed Max’s body to express itself fully.

It’s like taking your child from a 40-Watt light bulb to a 100-Watt light bulb. Both produce light and have energy, but one is able to express itself in a greater capacity and exude more energy and light. Chiropractic kids are functioning at 100-Watts, “normal” children are at 40-Watts … what would you like your for your growing child?

For more on how chiropractic can help your child, please visit our Kid’s section of the website.

Improvement in Autistic Child Following Chiropractic

A documented case study published on March 24th 2008 in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, showed the improvement of a 3 and 1/2 year old girl who was diagnosed with autism a year earlier. In this case the girl initially could not speak or communicate with anyone except through screaming and tantrum like outbursts. This young girl did not socialize at all with others her age and did not engage in physical activity. The child’s mother did note that after the first set of vaccinations her child did react differently and slept for 24 hours.

The young girl was brought in for a chiropractic evaluation where a series of tests and scans were performed. A finding of subluxation was made and care was initiated for correction of the subluxations. Over the next 10 week period, the child was checked and given specific chiropractic adjustments 28 times.

The young girl started to show results within the first 5 visits as she was previously very apprehensive to lay on the table and by her 6th visit she was laying on the chiropractic adjusting table by herself and holding the doctor’s hand. By the 10th visit, the child verbalized for the first time while being adjusted. Her mother reported that the girl even laughed that same week. After the first month of care the girl’s mother reported that her daughter showed more spontaneity, more expressions of joy, and a better posture while also experiencing less nightmares and hyperactivity.

Subsequent scans and examinations showed improvement in correction of vertebral subluxations and more symmetry to scans of the nervous system. The authors of the case study concluded, “This case report illustrates how an improvement respectively in both subjective and objective behavioral patterns and nerve system symmetry followed chiropractic care in a child with autism.”

This is a perfect example of how the innate intelligence of the body can heal itself when given the right tools. Notice in this story they did not say that Max had back or neck pain. Max was a child that had interference in his nervous system that was not allowing the body to function and express itself as it was designed to do. The chiropractor simply removed this interference in the nervous system, through an adjustment, and allowed Max’s body to express itself fully.

It’s like taking your child from a 40-Watt light bulb to a 100-Watt light bulb. Both produce light and have energy, but one is able to express itself in a greater capacity and exude more energy and light. Chiropractic kids are functioning at 100-Watts, “normal” children are at 40-Watts … what would you like your for your growing child?

For more on how chiropractic can help your child, please visit our Kid’s section of the website.

Good Bacteria May Relieve Autism Symptoms

An article published in Nature, in May of 2004 stated that researchers questioned whether or not a daily dose of friendly bacteria known as probiotics might help treat autism. Clinical trials are being scheduled to test probiotics to determine if they could ease the gut problems associated with autism and possibly help with some of the psychological symptoms as well.

Nearly six out of every 1,000 people have autism, a condition that negatively affects communication and social relationships.

Some of the physical symptoms associated with autism include bloating, stomach-aches and diarrhea. Since children with autism were more prone to having higher levels of Clostridia, a group of “bad” bacteria, probiotic food supplements might lower the levels of these bad bacteria and alleviate some of the autism symptoms.

Researchers haven’t been able to find out what the cause of autism is, however genetic and environmental factors have been cited as likely contributors to the complex disorder.

Researchers agreed that toxic byproducts of the bacteria might play a role with the disease because of how they are absorbed into the blood and travel to the brain.

One type of bacteria researchers have found to produce promising results is called Lactobacillus plantarum, which attaches itself to the lining of the gut and stimulates its growth. In addition to these functions, this bacteria has also been discovered to lower gut pH, which aids in the digestive process and helps fight infections.

Research has also revealed that friendly bacteria might be useful in treating irritable bowel disorder, diarrhea, colitis and bowel cancer. Experts have noticed an increasing acceptance of probiotics as a way to help manage health conditions.

More on Probiotics

More on Autism

This is a perfect example of how the innate intelligence of the body can heal itself when given the right tools. Notice in this story they did not say that Max had back or neck pain. Max was a child that had interference in his nervous system that was not allowing the body to function and express itself as it was designed to do. The chiropractor simply removed this interference in the nervous system, through an adjustment, and allowed Max’s body to express itself fully.

It’s like taking your child from a 40-Watt light bulb to a 100-Watt light bulb. Both produce light and have energy, but one is able to express itself in a greater capacity and exude more energy and light. Chiropractic kids are functioning at 100-Watts, “normal” children are at 40-Watts … what would you like your for your growing child?

For more on how chiropractic can help your child, please visit our Kid’s section of the website.

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