"The only real education comes from what goes counter to you."

Andre Gide

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July 2007

Contents

1. Bouncing Back
2. Fitness Corner
3. Creating Wellness for Life – Dream On
4. Health News
5. Office Happenings

Bouncing Back

The further I go in my career as a chiropractor, I notice common themes that show up as a patient progresses through their care. One theme is that people are often tired after their first couple of adjustments. Another is how in-tune they are with their bodies after several trips to the chiropractor. I would like to discuss one of the other exciting ones, the ability to bounce back.

My approach to taking care of the spine and nervous system is to actively involve both in the healing process. My role is to start the process and then get the body to complete it. By doing so, my goal is that over time the spine and nervous system as well as the body can learn to take better care of itself. So when you encounter stress, you are more capable of dealing with it effectively.

This approach increases your ability to bounce back when you get into a bind. I hear it again and again from patients when they come into the office. “I was helping a friend move on the weekend and boy was I sore the next day. But by the second day I was feeling good and back to my old self. I would never have known that I helped him!” Or “I felt like I was catching a cold but two days later you would never know anything was wrong.” In other words, your health and vitality is stronger.

Regular chiropractic care is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. It does not mean that you will never be sore or get sick. But with a healthy spine and nervous system, your body can take better care of itself. It can bounce back quickly when physical, emotional or bio-chemical stress overwhelms it. See your chiropractor regularly to improve your health, vitality and to ensure you rebound quickly from life’s challenges.

Fitness Corner

Do you want to get the most out of your summer athletic pursuits? Do you want more tools to lead a healthier life? Subscribe to Scott McDermott’s free monthly newsletter to get the latest information to do just that. Send an email to mybestbody@shaw.ca to sign up today.

Creating Wellness for Life

By Carol Simpson
Your Wellness Coach

Dream On

Fantasies, wishes, hopes, dreams – call it what you may but they all have a purpose in our lives. They allow us think of the ‘what ifs’ and can be extremely powerful motivators. Some of us can be more dreamers than others, conjuring up images of victorious races and life altering experiences like winning the lottery or getting that perfect job. Hopes and dreams give us something to strive for, to plan and work on. 

Now, the practicality in some people would argue the point that dreaming is a waste of time. Think of a terminally ill child that has been granted their deepest wish. Think of the person who invested in a .com company just at the right time and made their millions. I’m sure, like most of us they both thought it would never happen. Sometimes, dreams become reality as though if by magic but most often they come to life in the form of gutsy planning and hard work. 

The experience of envisioning your biggest wish in images, sounds, or other sensations can help bring it to reality. Just thinking of an experience can help you see and develop a clearer path for attaining it. It is amazing what your mind can come up with if you give it the freedom to play and roam. A dream followed by a plan and then consistently working towards your dream is all powerful. For there is absolutely nothing that can rival the feelings of contentment, accomplishment and empowerment you will feel when you finally get that which you have spent countless weeks, months and sometimes years yearning and striving for.

As the classic Aerosmith song states “Dream On Dream On Dream On, Dream until your dreams come true.” 

Health News

Chiropractic care, immune status, health and quality of life

This pilot study demonstrated some preliminary information regarding chiropractic care and possible links to immune status and improved aspects of health and quality of life. The study was published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. To read more: http://www.jvsr.com/abstracts/index.asp?id=268

Chiropractors for years have noticed positive health changes in their patients. Research is continuing to show that this is the case not only from the patient’s perspective but also from actual indicators in their immune systems.

Shaq’s Big Challenge

I don’t know if you may have heard about this latest “reality” TV show but I think it is worth a mention. Shaquille O’Neal is a star NBA basketball player who has decided to do something about childhood obesity. He wants to get kids more active so they can enjoy healthier lives. It comes on Tuesday nights on ABC network and it’s great to see someone of his status trying to make a difference. To learn more: http://abc.go.com/primetime/shaqsbigchallenge/index?pn=index

Office Happenings

1. Creating Wellness Chiropractic Collects Clothes. Thanks to all those who generously donated clothing that was then passed along to local charities. We collected over 14 bags of clothing. Thanks again!

2. Parade Day. We welcome you to watch the Westerner Days parade from just outside our front door! On the morning of Wednesday July 18, the parade goes by the office about 10:00 am. You are welcome to bring your lawn chairs down and join us in watching the parade. We are not scheduling any patients that morning but anyone who can make it down to the office will be taken care of.

3. Office Closings. The office will be closing at 9:45 am on Tuesday July 10 as I will be on my way to adjust cowboys and cowgirls at the Calgary Stampede. I will be away from the office starting on Friday July 27 and will return to the office on Tuesday August 7. Both Carol and Brad will be seeing their patients during that time. To contact Carol please call the office and leave a message and you can contact Brad on his cell phone at 396-3169. Sorry for any inconvenience. 

4. Wellness Orientation Workshops (W.O.W.’s). Do you want to learn more about your health and chiropractic care this summer? Our W.O.W.’s are scheduled for Wednesday July 11 and Monday July 23 this month. They take place at 5:30 pm in the office and everyone is welcome.

5. Office Hours. Here are our office hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00 to 12:30 and 2:00 to 5:30, Tuesday 8:00 to 12:30 and Thursday 1:00 to 7:30 pm.