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Inflammation contributes to healthy immune system function by creating increased blood flow, capillary dilation, and white blood cell activity.1 When an injury or infection is recognized, the affected area will become red, warm, painful, and swollen as a result. The Inflammation Theory of Disease
Many health care practitioners are becoming convinced that inflammation is an underlying cause of most diseases, leading them to directly address and seek to prevent this condition through the use of foods rich in antioxidants and dietary supplements.
Research has established a link between inflammation and:2
Foods That Reduce InflammationShifting to a diet that features anti-inflammatory foods and adding nutritional supplements when needed will reduce your risk of inflammation and chronic disease and may improve the symptoms of existing conditions. These foods feature high levels of natural antioxidants and polyphenols, which are protective plant compounds:
Foods That Cause Inflammation for Certain IndividualsSome individuals have sensitivities to foods, resulting in an inflammatory response. Avoiding these foods for 4-6 weeks and gradually reintroducing them may show if they are an issue for you.
Integrative Therapies Provide the Greatest Benefits
Addressing your dietary triggers, stress levels, and chronic pain as part of a complete wellness program will have the greatest impact on your well-being and resistance to disease. With lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, nutritional supplements, and chiropractic care, you can optimize your immune system function and achieve your wellness goals.
At McCann Family Chiropractic, we offer chiropractic and massage therapies to reduce the pain and stiffness associated with inflammation as part of an integrative diet and lifestyle program to prevent and treat chronic disease. Come visit with us and find out how well you can feel when all of your systems are in optimal balance. Sources: 1. https://nutrition.org/inflammation-what-is-it-and-how-can-my-diet-and-behavior-affect-it/ 2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3492709/
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Inflammation contributes to healthy immune system function by creating increased blood flow, capillary dilation, and white blood cell activity.1 When an injury or infection is recognized, the affected area will become red, warm, painful, and swollen as a result.
Wellness encompasses more than promoting a physically healthy body. What are the seven dimensions of wellness and how does each play a role in supporting our natural vitality?  1. Intellectual WellnessKeeping the mind fit and agile starts with daily intellectual exercise. We exercise by constantly engaging our curiosity, learning something new, stretching ourselves with research, acquiring new skills, and embracing our natural interests. 2. Spiritual WellnessNurturing a generous spirit and embracing a strong belief system are indicators of spiritual wellness. We practice our spirituality in many different ways. Spiritual wellness contributes to the understanding of ourselves and our community. Embracing the belief that life has a meaningful purpose enhances our inner peace, provides personal direction, and influences our society for the greater good. 3. Emotional WellnessBeing in touch with our emotions and understanding how they impact those around us is key to emotional wellness. By recognizing our feelings and learning to express them appropriately, we can better weather the storms of life with intentional action. Mindfulness of our emotions gives us the power to break free of destructive cycles which can be fueled by past traumas. Acknowledging and taking purposeful actions to address our valid emotions of anger, fear, doubt, and loss allows us to fully experience the emotions of happiness, love, and joy.  4. Environmental WellnessThe environment around us is continually affecting our mental, physical, and spiritual health. We need clean air, pure water, healthy food, and a safe home to thrive. In a direct way, we can ensure that our homes are safe and take steps to eliminate any toxins or toxic influences from our lives. We foster environmental wellness for ourselves and the planet by taking steps to reduce our impact and give back to the earth. 5. Social WellnessWe are social creatures by nature and strive to create meaningful relationships and social connections. A supportive social circle will promote the other areas of wellness and help us cope with stress and loneliness. When we have a healthy social life, we feel confident and validated. We know where we will turn if we need help, and we experience the rewards of helping others. 6. Occupational WellnessFinding an occupation that satisfies our need for accomplishment and makes use of our natural skills allows us to enjoy our daily work. Integrating that job into a satisfying lifestyle means achieving the right work/life balance. When daily work is fulfilling and not our only focus, we can reduce work-related stress and frustration. Putting work in its proper place as a supporting pillar rather than a defining element of our lives allows us to strike that balance. 7. Physical WellnessEmpowering our physical health means being mindful of our bodies. Our endurance, strength, and flexibility indicate our level of physical wellness. Sleeping well, exercising, and eating right begin with listening to the body's signals. Seeking the right treatments to support our bodies is essential. We can go beyond waiting for diseases to develop by incorporating supportive practitioners like chiropractors, massage therapists, and nutritional experts to help prevent illness before it starts. Building a Balanced FoundationTrue healing is experienced when all dimensions of life are in healthy balance. The next step on your path to wellness may be to find a chiropractor who understands the complex and interdependent nature of whole body health.
Keeping our bodies well-hydrated supports immune system function, heart health, urinary tract wellness, and healthy digestion. Most of us need at least 30-50 fluid ounces of water per day to prevent dehydration,1 but exercise, weather, and other factors may increase our daily requirement for water. Let's explore the importance of hydration in maintaining the optimal function and balance of the body's systems.  How Does Dehydration Affect the Body?When we become dehydrated, the circulatory system becomes the body's top priority, and other organs and systems must make do with less water. The results of this conservation may include:
Water, Water Everywhere: How Much Is Enough?Most tips for staying hydrated say eight 8 oz glasses of water per day but, if you exercise vigorously or the weather is hot, it may be better to take your body weight in pounds, divide this number in half, and use that as your target number of ounces to drink per day. As an example, a 160-pound person might need 80 ounces of water per day or 10 eight-ounce glasses.  How Does Staying Hydrated Promote Wellness?The positive effects of drinking generous amounts of water span all of the body's systems, including the:
Hydration as Part of Healthy LivingThe importance of hydration is just one part of the picture. Our approach to wellness at McCann Family Chiropractic is centered on treating the whole person and restoring peak system function. Dr. Matt uses gentle chiropractic treatments and dietary guidance to bring you back into perfect balance. He also recommends massage therapy to aid in this process. Call us today and start experiencing whole-body wellness for yourself.
Sources: 1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-staying-hydrated 2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/ Chiropractic realignment of the spine not only treats lower back pain but creates a healthy environment for nerves and soft tissues to heal. These gentle exercises will help maintain the benefits of regular adjustments, improve range of motion, and help eliminate neck and back pain.  Improving Posture and Breathing Throughout the Day Proper posture opens up our airways, allowing maximum airflow to our lungs. Taking deep breaths also relaxes tense neck and diaphragm muscles. This posture awareness exercise can be done many times a day for a few minutes. It may seem simple, but the benefits of proper posture and breathing cannot be ignored!
Gentle Stretches for Morning and EveningRather than stretching through applying force, these poses will stretch muscles and connective tissues as you fully relax into them. Be careful to avoid any which cause straining or pain.
Begin by lying on the floor with your legs supported by a chair or another soft object, with knees and hips at right angles. Your arms can be at shoulder level or slightly lower, palms up. Adjust until you are comfortable, then relax deeply and let your shoulders and lower back settle to the floor. Stay in this position for a few minutes to release lower back pain and stiffness. 
Remaining on the floor, put the soles of your feet together and let your knees naturally fall apart. With your arms palms up and at an open angle from your hips, relax for two or three minutes. Now your lower back will naturally arch off the floor, releasing muscles of the groin and thighs. Let your neck, jaw, and upper back relax into the position. 
Kneel down and touch your toes together behind you, letting your knees be a comfortable distance apart. Bend forward and let your forehead touch the floor as your rear rises up. Extend your arms over your head, or, if this is uncomfortable, let them lie naturally by your sides. Remain here at least a minute or two and, as you relax, your rear will sink back onto your heels, arching your spine into its natural curves. Allow your neck and face to fully relax, and breathe deeply. 
Sit on your heels with your knees bent and place your hands on the floor behind you, shoulder distance apart. You may point your fingers towards or away from you, whatever is most comfortable, arch your spine upward. Put pressure on your hands as you lower your head behind you, keeping your rear on your heels. Your chest should feel open and your throat relaxed. After thirty seconds in this pose, lift your head first and rest in the kneeling position for a moment before standing.  Comprehensive Chiropractic Care At McCann Family Chiropractic, Dr. Matt will select the right treatments to restore your spinal alignment and all the systems that depend on it. We have a number of home care exercises that we will recommend based on your specific needs and circumstances. Additionally, in the office, we have two Pettibon Rehabilitation therapies we recommend most patients utilize prior to their adjustments.
Your individualized treatment plan will bring your whole body to a new state of balance and wellness. Schedule an appointment today to start your journey to true vitality and well-being.
Chronic lower back pain causes physical and mental stress. This irritation in turn produces increased oxidative stress. And that? Well, it reduces our ability to heal and increases joint pain—allowing a vicious cycle to begin. Unless you stop breathing, you won’t be able to avoid oxidative stress (and we certainly don’t recommend attempting that!). As we breathe in oxygen and our cells produce energy, free radicals are created. Antioxidants and exercise play a key role in removing free radicals from our body, helping to maintain a healthy balance.  When too many free radicals build up they prevent healing, damage cells, and even harm our DNA. The good news is we can use exercise as well as nutritional and chiropractic treatments to reduce oxidative stress and the associated symptoms like joint inflammation and body aches. Let's explore the symptoms of oxidative stress and how chiropractic therapy brings long-term relief from chronic back pain by directly reducing oxidative stress. What Are the Symptoms of Oxidative Stress? The symptoms of oxidative stress usually build up slowly over time. When we ignore early discomfort and develop a higher pain threshold without seeking back pain treatment, the damage continues until we experience symptoms throughout the body. Some of these include:
 How Does Chiropractic Treatment Reduce Oxidative Stress?
Chiropractic adjustments have been proven to reduce the key chemical markers of oxidative stress and relieve the pain associated with it.1 Chiropractic back pain treatment corrects the causative misalignments and related muscle pain, . The good news? The research showed that with twice weekly adjustments over a 5-week period, measurable increases in a key antioxidant level are achieved. The great news? Patients under wellness care in the longer term (one year and more) showed a statistically significant increase in another key antioxidant. This antioxidant, called serum thiol, plays an important role in cellular and DNA repair. By increasing serum thiol and keeping it at optimal levels, regular chiropractic care can help reverse some of the DNA damage caused by oxidative stress. Chiropractic Care Promotes Whole Body Wellness A holistic approach to wellness includes regular chiropractic care. At McCann Family Chiropractic we understand the relationship between chronic lower back pain and oxidative stress. With a wide array of chiropractic techniques at his fingertips, Dr. Matt can provide the right type of adjustment to correct your alignment and begin the care that will help increase your antioxidant levels and reverse the effects of oxidative stress. Your optimal wellness is the best prevention for stress-related diseases. By reducing your physical, chemical, and mental stress levels you can experience true vitality and well-being every day. We can provide recommendations for nutrition, exercise, relaxation, and other steps you can take alongside your chiropractic treatments to promote whole body wellness and healing. Sources: 1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161475414002449 2. https://www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com/2017/09/06/surrogate-indication-of-dna-repair-in-serum-after-long-term-chiropractic-intervention-a-retrospective-study/ After a car accident or other sudden impact injury, the symptoms of whiplash might appear immediately, or they may develop in the days or weeks following the trauma. Understanding the symptoms and chiropractic treatment options available will help you to recover quickly and completely. Taking a “wait and see” approach to the early signs of whiplash might allow your neck and spine to remain out of alignment, causing more pain and damage to surrounding muscles and tissues. Delaying treatment may also put insurance compensation at risk. If you have the symptoms, it might be time to find a chiropractor with experience in accident recovery to evaluate your injuries and recommend a treatment plan.  What Is Whiplash? Whiplash is more than a strained neck. In the most common scenario, a rear-impact car accident causes high-speed forced movement of the head forward and a resulting rebound backward.1 The force applied by the sudden whipping motion damages the tissues of the neck and shocks the nervous system. Severe whiplash might also cause head injury or damage to other joints and muscles. What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash? While severe neck pain is typical of the injury, the symptoms of whiplash cover a wide range of physical and neurological effects, including:
Chiropractic Treatment for Whiplash Chiropractic therapy is one of the most effective ways to heal from an accident. Chiropractors have a wide range of techniques to bring the neck and spine back to proper function while reducing pain during the healing process.
 Returning to Wellness
Healing after an auto accident without a chiropractor's help can be a long and painful process. The results of untreated muscle and nerve damage might impact your quality of life for years to come. If you are suffering from whiplash or other traumatic injury we encourage you to find a chiropractor with the expertise to effectively support the healing process. At McCann Family Chiropractic in Maryville, WA, our staff is trained in the best treatments to get you back to optimal health. Call us for an initial exam and get back on the road to wellness today! Sources: Most people consider posture in relation to sitting for long periods, often at a desk. Laptops are well known for causing significant postural problems as the viewing angle forces you to look down. While this is one situation where posture is important, other types of jobs and situations also require using the proper posture, such as:
 Bad posture is the result of our bodies attempting to adapt to various situations we put ourselves in. Slouching our shoulders forward, leaning hunched over a desk, leaning on a counter while standing, and not lifting an object correctly are all everyday examples of how we can develop bad posture. And bad posture? It leads to a variety of symptoms which can include tension headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, and back pain. Your upper back and shoulders might feel tense and tight or ache. You could notice a sharpness in your lower back. Poor posture often leads to spinal misalignment and over time can stress and/or pinch nerves. All of this means that bad posture can lead to an increase in general symptoms you may feel including headaches, body aches, and muscle tension. Additionally, poor posture will lead to an increased risk for injuries. Can you fix bad posture? Of course! The first step in any retraining process is to understand where you are now. Being aware of our habits will help us to form better ones. Some questions you might ask yourself:
relaxed. You may need a lumbar support if your low back isn’t sufficiently supported.
down for long periods of time. You might place your monitor on a book or use other simple solutions to resolve any issues. Also, be sure you take 20 seconds every 20 minutes to look up and away.
Exercises to Improve Posture After discovering what you are doing wrong and taking steps to correct poor posture, your next objective is to implement exercises to strengthen the shoulders, neck, and back. These exercises don’t require a gym membership and can easily be done at home or in the office. At McCann Family Chiropractic, we call these “Spinal Hygiene” exercises. Your teeth require good hygiene to keep in top shape, and your spine does too!
 Chiropractic Can Help with Posture Problems
Chiropractic care can provide the education, support, and knowledge you require to improve poor posture. We focus on the health and wellness of the entire body, which involves ensuring the spine is properly aligned and the nervous system is functioning optimally. When these two areas are working properly, people often notice a reduction in back, neck, and shoulder pain; tension, stress, anxiety, and more. Our office is happy to incorporate a computerized posture scan into your new patient exam. Let us know if this is something you are interested in. To learn more about how to improve your posture and develop good posture habits, please contact McCann Family Chiropractic at (360) 657-7183 today! |
Dr. Matt McCannOwner and Chiropractor at McCann Family Chiropractic. Walking this journey of life with you, on our path to wellness! Archives
October 2018
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