Chiropractic: Turning A Time Card Into Time Well Spent

There’s a group of people we interact closely with as much, or more, than our families. Statistically, we spend more time with our work family than we do with our loved ones. Supervisors, fellow employees and colleagues all make up the working relationships that are such a large part of who we are.

Even punching a time card in a small office, we’re typically exposed to more threats to our health than we are with the spouse and 2.2 children waiting for us at home. And we’re exposed to just as many stressors.

There are many things we can do to improve our health and work relationships, but did you ever think about your spine being one of them? The spine is your body’s command center, your first line of defense against everything. An aligned spine, one that is allowing your nervous system to communicate freely, gives you the ability to respond positively to life’s unknown events.

It comes as no surprise that health care costs have skyrocketed over the years while the quality of care received has remained the same in many cases. For companies, this cost is even greater with loss of work due to sickness and injuries -- and rising health insurance premiums to boot. Many of these injuries and illnesses are preventable. Employers are looking for ways to improve performance, decrease cost and provide an enjoyable, healthier work environment. Feeling better, functioning better, playing better, communicating better and ultimately working better often results in a greater bottom line. A greater bottom line to your company may also mean more money in your pocket as well. Not a bad exchange.

Health Benefits

Doctors of chiropractic focus on helping their patients achieve a properly functioning spine and nervous system. When spinal joints are functioning properly, you can perform better which may give rise to the following critical benefits:

• A happier workplace environment - Chiropractic has been shown to be effective in the reduction or elimination of pain, as well as muscle tension and stress-related conditions.
• Increased performance - Chiropractic improves joint mobility, physical performance and overall function. Imagine making decisions with a clearer head.
• Fewer sick days - Chiropractic care has been shown to produce reparative and preventative benefits. Wouldn’t it be great spending your allotted personal time off at the beach instead of the doctor’s office?
• More efficient and increased productivity - Chiropractic care often results in increased daily activity and productivity.

These advantages are like gold for an employer, but also for you and your work colleagues. Imagine everyone feeling and performing at their optimal level.
The spine has an excellent musculoskeletal memory. Just like your teeth, it is recommended that you take care to provide it with proper care from a young age. Maintaining proper range of motion in the spine is paramount to controlling pain, promoting an active lifestyle and enabling you to enjoy a higher quality of life. And enjoying work more.

How Chiropractic Can Help

When one or more joints become restricted in the spine, it causes a lack of motion that, in turn, can cause an interruption of the nerve communication from the brain to the body. This interruption can affect the cells, tissues and organs of the body many times inhibiting your performance. Licensed doctors of chiropractic (such as those at The Joint Chiropractic), referred to as DCs, apply a gentle, targeted movement to the restricted joints to improve motion of the body’s spinal column and extremities, thereby enhancing nerve function. This highly controlled procedure is known as a chiropractic adjustment.

As you can see, visiting a chiropractor is more than just having your back “cracked” or “popped.” Having a spine that is free from nerve interference is your first line of defense to whatever life may throw at you. In addition, a properly functioning spine may result in better decisions, better health, better experiences, better memories and better moments of laughter and joy. If work is important to you, then these things will be important to you as well.

If an improved work environment and quality of life sounds like something you want, then make chiropractic a part of your wellness lifestyle and have your spine checked for joint dysfunctions. Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive forms of health care available. Whether suffering from pain or not, keeping your body functioning at its peak may be one of the best investments you will ever make if for no other reason than you’re more productive. More and more people are experiencing the benefits of routine chiropractic care. They are learning that chiropractic makes a much better vitamin than it does an aspirin; unlike medicine that masks a problem, chiropractic aims to fix the root cause of the problem. Discover how millions of Americans have not only found relief from pain, but also a pathway to wellness and a healthier, more active lifestyle by making chiropractic part of their healthy habit regimen.

Quell the Swell: 5 Foods That Fight Inflammation

Do you feel like you’ve tried everything but still experience back pain? If so, maybe it’s time to look more closely at the food you’re eating. A lot of people don’t realize that a majority of their diet contains inflammatory foods such as sodium, gluten, trans fats and aspartame. To help reduce arthritis, joint and back pain, it is recommended you eat an anti-inflammatory diet containing nuts, veggies, meats, and healthy fats (similar to the Paleo diet). Here are five other foods to help decrease inflammation.

Oranges

Oranges are filled with Vitamin C, which not only kicks a head cold to the curb, but helps fight arthritis pain. It prevents cells from experiencing a surplus of inflammation and oxidative stress, which aids in reducing joint pain. You don’t just have to stick to oranges though. Other fruits and vegetables such as bell peppers, grapefruits, raspberries, strawberries, cabbage, and sweet potatoes also contain loads of Vitamin C.

Green Tea

Green tea has been used in medicine for centuries, but a recent study shows that it could be beneficial for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Green tea helps absorb antioxidants and fights compounds that harm healthy cells. Like Vitamin C, green tea contains anti-inflammatory properties, which reduces joint pain and irritation.

Fish

Most fish, including salmon, contain a large amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are known to reduce inflammation. You can also get omega-3s through walnuts or flaxseeds, but your body only absorbs a small percentage of it. It’s better to get your intake from fish than from fish oil supplements.

Purple Grapes

Purple grapes (that’s right—red wine), and purple and red food in general, contain an antioxidant called proanthocyanidins. This antioxidant helps decrease inflammation by restricting enzymes and unstable molecules that damage cells. You can also find it in blackberries, cranberries, cherries, cinnamon, and even nuts like hazelnuts, pecans and almonds.

Ginger

Ginger contains gingerols, which is an anti-inflammatory compound. It has been shown to reduce inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. The best part about ginger is that it is easy to implement into your diet. You can use a juicer to add ginger to any drink (add it to orange juice for extra anti-inflammatory power). You can also make your own ginger tea, or add it to your salad dressing.
Although making your diet anti-inflammatory is beneficial, there are other ways you can try to relieve joint and back pain. Going to a chiropractor can be a convenient and easy way to reduce pain and improve joint mobility along the way.

11 Chiropractic Facts That'll Amaze You

The number of those benefiting from chiropractic care continues to rise as more and more people discover the importance of good spinal health. If you’re a patient of chiropractic, you probably know a lot about what the therapy can do for you—but what about the profession itself? Here are some chiropractic fun facts you definitely didn’t see coming.

1. The term “chiropractic” is a combination of two Grecian words: cheir which means hand, and praktos which means done. “Done by Hand”... fitting, right?
2. The first chiropractic adjustment was given in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer (the father of Chiropractic!) who helped a janitor, Harvey Lillard, regain his hearing after a back accident he suffered 17 years prior.
3. Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) go through a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, lab and clinical internships during their 4-year doctoral graduate school program. Perspective: If you combine all that time, that’s 175 days straight. Oof.
4. It is estimated that Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) treat over 35 million Americans (adults and children) annually.
5. There are about 95,000 doctors of chiropractic in active practice across the globe, and about 10,000 students are currently enrolled in chiropractic education programs in the United States alone.
6. 32 National Football League teams utilize chiropractic! All 32 teams have their own chiropractor to boost performance, maintain wellness and treat musculoskeletal strain and injury.
7. Unbeknownst to quite a few, infants can benefit greatly from chiropractic care. It makes sense—birth can be pretty hard on a little body! The adjustment is adapted to suit their needs and is perfectly safe.
8. Each day, over one million adjustments take place across the globe. That’s a whole lot of relief!
9. Chiropractic is recognized and regulated by law in over 40 countries! And in the United States, D.Cs are licensed in all 50 of them!
10. An injured worker is 28 times less likely to have spinal surgery if the first point of contact is a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), rather than a surgeon.
11. Treatment for low back pain (a common symptom treated by chiropractic care) initiated by a DC costs up to 20 percent less than when started by a MD.