By Dr. Ogle Practice Member, Wellness Care

Is Your Spine Aligned Correctly?

Is your spine aligned correctly?  Misalignment of the spine can cause many symptoms that most people are not aware are related to a misaligned spine. Having your spine and nervous system checked out will ensure that there is proper communication throughout your body.

Here are 15 warning signs of an unhealthy spine.

Your Heels Wear Out Unevenly: This can be due to stress along the spine or uneven leg length.

Taking a Satisfying Deep Breath is Difficult: Restricted breathing can happen from subluxations in the upper back and ribs.

Clicking of the Jaw: This can occur from tension and misalignment of the neck.

You Have to “Crack” Your Body Often: This is your reaction to your body telling you that something is misaligned.

Your Head and Hips Don’t Twist or Turn Easily or Equally: Misalignment in the spine can reduce range of motion.

Constantly Tired: An unbalanced spine can reduce your daily energy.

Lacking Concentration: Your brain and body connection can be interrupted when your spine is out of alignment.

You Have Low Resistance to Disease: Chiropractic adjustments can significantly help reduce nerve pressure which has been shown to increase your white blood cells. Interleukin-2(IL-2) levels are increased after adjustments which are the cells that are used to kill viral and bacterial infections.

Your Feet Flare Out: Notice which direction your feet point as you are walking, in, out, or forward (don’t cheat). If one or both of your feet flare outwards, this is a sign of issues may be occurring in the lower spine or hips.

One Leg is Shorter Than the Other: With your shoes on, lie down, and have someone stand behind you and look down at your feet. If one leg is shorter than the other, your hips and spine may be out of alignment.

Poor Posture: You may be able to tell when you physically have bad posture. Another way to test your posture is to stand on two scales and notice the weight distribution of each side of your body. If the weight is not distributed equally then your spine, hips, or head may be off center.

Frequent Headaches, Back Aches, or Sore Spots in Muscles and Joints: These are all common symptoms of a misaligned spine.

Constant Stressful Feeling and Tension in the Muscles and Joints: Nerve irritation from a misaligned spine can cause your body to feel stressed and tense.

Stiffness in Your Back or Neck: Stiffness can be a result of degenerative changes in your spine.

Something is Just Not Right: If you are feeling like you have overall poor health this could mean that your nervous system is out of balance, which in the end means that your health is not in balance.

By Dr. Ogle Nutrition, Sleep, Wellness Care

How to Develop a Healthy Routine

Are you struggling with falling into a daily routine to maintain your optimal health? The new year tends to bring us to reflect on our lives and consider what we can do to develop a healthy routine.

Here are 6 simple tips to help get you started on creating a healthier routine that works for you:

1. Make a List, Check It Twice- The night before, sit down and take the time to plan out what you are going to do the next day such as go to the gym, attend your meeting, and go to the grocery store. If you are able to plan out at least 80% of your day, you will be able to know what to expect right when you start your day the next morning. This organizational strategy is a good way to stay on top of your priorities.

2. Do the Most Important Thing First- For most people, morning time is when we have the most energy and less distractions. Start your day by accomplishing the more important and difficult tasks without interruptions first so you are sure to get them done.

3. Set Your Goals and Limits- When setting goals for your diet, fitness, etc. make sure they are clear and defined. When you set excessively restrictive or vague goals, you are less likely to rise to that challenge. The more consistent you are with your goals, the more likely you are to succeed at them, especially when your goals are health related.

4. Stick to Your Plan- It is important to have routines and to follow through with them so you can develop a set schedule. Try accomplishing your tasks in the same order or at the same time each day. Test out your routine for a few days to see how it works for you and then make changes if needed. Focus on keeping up with your healthy diet, exercise, and chiropractic adjustments to develop your routine in order to stay on top of your health. As your body starts to get used to your routine you will begin to notice that you feel less sluggish (unless you fall off track with your routine, which can then be a good incentive to begin with your routine again).

5. Focus on the Positives- The best way to start your day is to wake up and focus on your positive energy (instead of wishing you could go back to sleep). You can focus on your positive energy by meditating, thinking about the positive aspects of your life, doing affirmations, or practicing visual exercises. Researchers have found that meditation can help lower your blood pressure, boost your immune system, and help reduce stress and fatigue.

6. Stop Worrying- Worrying is never a good way to accomplish anything. When you begin to worry, try redirecting yourself towards more positive energy and what you can do to fix the issue that you are worrying about. Remember to appreciate each day. “The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” –Buddha

By Dr. Ogle Kids, Nutrition

5 Helpful Tips for Having Healthy & Happy Children

We are able to determine how healthy we are by the choices we make with our bodies. In children, optimal health can be reached by eating healthy, moving often, and being able to enjoy life. When we are able to build healthier kids…in the end we will have happier kids…which will lead to more successful kids.

Here are the 5 Helpful tips for having healthy & Happy Children:

1. Proper Fuel: As most of us know, breakfast is the most important meal to start out our day. Unfortunately, for most of us, our mornings consist of rushing around being stressed and our focus is not on having a healthy breakfast. Most of us tend to grab something that is quick and convenient with no nutritional value (and usually toxic). A quick and easy nutritional meal in the morning could be something as simple as a green smoothie (mixture of greens, avocados,coconut oil, and a little fruit) for those that are dealing with stressful mornings.

2. I Like to Move It: If you have children in school, you probably know that most schools still employ the “sit still and listen” learning method. Unfortunately, research has proven that this is not an ideal method and that our brains are actually hardwired so that movement and learning are interconnected. As our body is moving, our brain is better allowed to learn by the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF). Starting your child’s day with movement before they leave for school is ideal for them to learn and their highest ability.

3. Look to the Spine: Nearly 200,000 children are sent to the hospital each year in the U.S. due to playground accidents. Aside from playground injuries, backpacks, slips and falls, texting, and computer use can all lead to misalignment of the spine. Chiropractors have the expertise to check a child’s spine for misalignment and nervous system interference. Chiropractic adjustments can help remove nerve interference that is affecting the overall function of your child’s body without the need for drugs or surgery. Frequent chiropractic check-ups are essential for having health and happy kids.

4. Leave the House Happy: A simple good laugh before leaving the house is a great way for your child’s mind and body to become balanced out to enhance their happiness throughout the day. Laughter not only is a great way to start your day off right, but it is also known to strengthen the immune system, boost energy levels, diminish pain, and reduce stress in both your children and you as a parent!

5. The 2 Minute Rule: Our children know when we are actually listening to them vs. pretending to listen to them. It is important as parents to demonstrate the value of conversation with our children. During the first and last minute of every conversation with your child you should aim to be present, focus on them, be quiet, and truly listen to them without the use of any electronics. Although it may be hard, this can make a difference in our children’s life.

By Dr. Ogle Wellness Care ,

Avoiding Stress and Sickness This Holiday Season

Highland Chiropractic don't stressWe have all heard it before: exercise, eat clean, and supplement your diet.  But what do we do about the mental and emotional toil that we go through daily?  If left unchecked, it can ruin your health,  and disrupt your holidays.

Here’s the deal – in avoiding stress and sickness there is no amount of any supplement or even good nutrition that can counteract the toxic effects of chronic, repetitive stress on the body.  Stress causes a response that we know as “fight-or-flight”. When we are in this “fight-or-flight” response consistently, excess cortisol and epinephrine flood the system. This chronic response has been shown to increase the risk of anxiety, depression, digestive and even sleep issues.

Additionally, stress leads to sickness.  Recovery from this sickness is then slowed down because of the stress – it’s a sick cycle.  Sick cycle…get it?

When we are better able to adapt to the stress response, we are better able to adapt to the stress response, and then the body is able to do what it’s meant to do – heal itself.  This is where chiropractic fits in.

When the spine shifts from it’s normal structure this causes a fixation, and this fixation leads to interference and stress placed on the nerves in that area. This alone can cause the body to go into a “fight-or-flight” response. However, we do know that the body will heal itself when given the proper balance of stress, relaxation and nutrients.

Important “Nutrients” the Body Needs

1. Movement – Generalized movement is accomplished thorough daily exercise. Specific movement in the spine is accomplished though specific chiropractic adjustments. Movement is by far one of the most essential nutrients to decrease stress, improve the immune system and optimize the nervous system.

2. Meditation –  Throughout life, we each have physical, chemical and emotional stressors.  Emotional stress is mostly created by the internal personal battles we fight (alone) in our own heads.  Much of the emotional stress that we have we place on ourselves. It is proven that those who take time to meditate 10-15 minutes a day are happier and have decreased disease and sickness.

The Immune System

Research done on serum thiol levels – which is a way we measure our DNA’s ability to repair itself and measure disease – has shown that Chiropractic care improves the ability of the body to adapt to stress.  In the study, the participants that received chiropractic care for 2 or more years had higher thiol levels than those with disease.  Some of the chiropractic patients had levels higher than what is associated with normal wellness.

Chiropractic was founded on the principle that the body is a self healing and self regulating organism, and that the body will fight illness and prevent infection when it is working optimally.  But when the body is in a constant state of stress, or “fight-or-flight” it isn’t able to optimally adapt to additional stressors. The body then becomes vulnerable to sickness and disease.  Regular chiropractic care can help you and your body better adapt to stress this holiday season.

Challenge – Spend 10-15 minutes each day in meditation for the next week. Alone. Quiet. No cell phone…and no cheating yourself.

 

References –

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15142434

By Dr. Ogle Kids, pediatric , , , ,

Emersyn: Reflux REJECTED with Chiropractic!

This is Emersyn – one of the most wonderful babies I have ever known!  Emersyn’s mom brought her in to our office to see if chiropractic could help with her reflux and colic issues.

 

reflux chiropractic emersyn

The reflux issues were cascading into sleeping trouble… and when baby doesn’t sleep, NOBODY sleeps!  Well, maybe Dad sleeps.  I guess it just depends on how things go in your house…  Anyway, you can read about how reflux was REJECTED with chiropractic below!
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By Dr. Ogle Kids, Wellness Care , , , , ,

The #1 Diagnosis Given to Children in February

ear infection boy

An ear infection, or Otitis media, is a general name for many conditions that affect the ear.  These conditions present as acute or chronic, and while some cause symptoms others go unnoticed.

 

Acute otitis media (AOM) will typically cause pain and a fever.  Otitis media with effusion (OME) is commonly seen in kids without pain or fever.  Ear infections account for over 37% of all pediatrician visits in the United States alone, and in the month of February it is the #1 diagnosis given to children from pediatricians!Read More

By Dr. Ogle Wellness Care , , , , , ,

3 Steps to No Pain Shoveling

If you are like me, you are excited to see that we have snow on the ground.

 

And if you are like me, you are not excited to see the size of your driveway with all the snow on the ground.

 

If you shovel your driveway and have back pain after you are done, you may be doing it ALL wrong, or you just need to see your chiropractor.  If you don’t have a chiropractor, click here.

 

When you moved into your house a while ago, you probably heard the phrase “Lift with your knees, and not your back!” thrown around multiple times.  The concept is simple, yet sometimes it’s easier to just “do whatever it takes” to get that box up and out of the way.  The same concept applies to shoveling snow as well. Here’s a picture to show you the best way to shovel to see if you’ve been doing it all wrong.
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By Dr. Ogle Chiropractic, Practice Member, Sleep , , , , , ,

Tyson: Chiropractic and Ear Infections

This is Tyson, definitely one of the biggest studs ever to step foot into our office.  His parents brought him to us because he had chronic ear infections.  Here is his Dad’s account of the miracle of chiropractic in this kiddo’s life:

 

Yorgason, Tyson

 

 

“Tyson had been having ear infections on and off for about an 8-9 month stretch.  We would go visit the pediatrician and treat the infection with antibiotics.  Over time, it seemed that the infections were coming back more frequently.  When we got up to Idaho, Tyson began showing signs of another infection coming on.  Generally he sleeps through the night, but he was waking up 4-5 times a night and then tugging on his ear when it was irritating him during the day.  After about 4 nights of this, we made the decision that we would like to try something different than the antibiotics, and go with the chiropractic route.  On the first visit, Dr. Ogle identified areas of misalignment in his spine.  Dr. Ogle examined Tyson and performed some adjustments on him, before we took him home. Read More

By Dr. Ogle Sleep, Uncategorized, Wellness Care

Are You Trying to Deprive Your Child?

I never go to Wal-Mart.  I never go to Wal-Mart unless it’s 12:00 am and I just caught a frog in the back yard and I want to buy a terrarium for the lil guy so that the kids can enjoy the beauty of the wild within their own home.

 

Distracting-Frog

 

I was SHOCKED, and internally angered by how many young kids I saw there.  Awake.  With both parents.  I mean it was fun to see a 5 year old boy shadow boxing, and stabbing imaginary bad guys with his pretend sword. But seriously.

 

COME ON! Dad, put the kids to bed and then go do your shopping while your wife kicks back and reads a book, or maybe just passes out along with the kids.
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