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

Andre Gide

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June 2004

It’s June and we welcome Brad MacLeod, our new massage therapist to our team as well as Jessica McNamara, a work experience student. Please feel free to forward this newsletter along to friends and family.

Contents

1. How much is in Your Health Bank Account?
2. Question of the Month
3. Fitness Corner
4. Health News 
5. Office Happenings

How much is in Your Health Bank Account?

Many people have been exposed to the idea of saving money for retirement over a long period of time to take advantage of compound interest. The sooner you start, the more money you can accumulate over time. The difference between starting in your 20’s and starting in your 40’s can be literally millions of dollars. Savings accounts and Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP's) are common ways of doing that. Have you ever considered approaching your health and wellness the same way?

A typical approach to health is to wait until something is wrong with it before you do anything about it. Symptoms or problems must arise before any action is taken. You notice your pants that are a year old suddenly “shrunk” or your get up and go, got up and went. At what point in life does this usually happen? Usually in your late 30’s, 40’s or even 50’s. Then you are motivated to do something to get healthier, trying to play catch up for all the years when you neglected your health.

Consider your health is like a savings account or an RRSP. What would happen if being healthier was a priority in your 20’s? Perhaps as a teenager or as a child you made regular deposits in your health account. How would that pay off as you aged? If someone was to start putting away $100 per month for you as an infant and you continued that habit, by age 65 you would have over $1.8 million more than if you started when you were 20. The same principle applies to health and wellness. The sooner you start healthier habits, the more benefits you receive.

One of the best ways to make a deposit into your health savings account is to see your chiropractor regularly. This doesn’t take the place of other deposits like eating well, exercising, getting your rest or having a positive outlook on life. Chiropractic care enhances all those great things. The sooner you start the more interest you accumulate. Start saving now. Become a health millionaire.

Question of the Month

I am middle age and want to live a long and healthy life. Can chiropractic care help? 

Regular chiropractic care is an important part of being healthy over a lifetime. Your spine needs care just like your teeth, eyes and other systems in your body. By keeping your spine healthy, you also improve the function of your nervous system. Your nervous system controls and runs your body. When the nervous system is functioning at its best, the body runs smoother. It enhances all the other healthy habits you have in place to ensure longevity. Get your spine checked by a chiropractor on a regular basis to make certain your quality of life improves. It’s an important aspect of long-term health and wellness. 

Fitness Corner

Do you want the latest information on fitness? Subscribe to Scott McDermott’s free monthly newsletter. This month’s topics include: 

1) Coffee and Multi Vitamins - are you wasting your money?
2) Pre and Post workout nutrition and the rules on empty stomach workouts.
3) Abs for golf.
4) Magazine and news watch.

Congratulations go out to Scott and his team as they celebrate the 2nd anniversary of their gym in Sylvan Lake, Body Fit Fitness Centre.

Health News

ADHD Drugs Outselling Antibiotics in Kids

This piece is shocking. According to articles released by drug companies, Americans now spend more on drugs for ADHD and depression than they do on antibiotics, or asthma or allergy medications for children. That’s right, children, not adults. The staggering figures...
• a 23 percent increase in usage for all children using ADHD drugs.
• a 49 percent increase in the use of ADHD drugs by children under the age of 5 in the last 3 years.
• a 77 percent increase in spending from 2000 - 2003 on ADHD drugs.
• a 369 percent increase in spending on ADHD drugs for children under 5.
• estimated 3-10 percent of American children now on behavioral medications. To read more: http://www.planetc1.com/cgi-bin/n/v.cgi?c=1&id=1085071682.

Make sure you scroll down through the entire article.

As I have reported on in the past (See Dec 2002 newsletter), these drugs make lifelong changes to the child’s behavior when taken as a youngster. Currently there are links between Ritalin and stunted growth: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4668038/.

If this trend continues, I think we are harming a good portion of an entire generation.

Drinking Enough Water

Don’t forget the kids when it comes to drinking water. Educate young sports enthusiasts about fluid intake to help them have a safe and healthy spring and summer. To read more: http://www.healthscout.com/news/1/518251/main.html 

Fluids are important for active children just like they are for adults. This article has some good guidelines when comes to keeping kids hydrated. This is especially important with the summer months upon us.

Office Happenings

1. New Massage Therapist. We welcome Brad MacLeod, Registered Massage Therapist, to our office team. Brad, who uses a deep tissue approach to massage, has a wealth of experience including using massage with his son who has cerebral palsy. During the month of June, book an hour massage and receive $10 off. Call or email Carol for an appointment.

2. Work Experience Student. We also welcome Jessica McNamara to our office team until the middle of June. She is gaining some work experience with us. Say hello when you see her in the office. 

3. Office Closing. The office will be closing at 5 p.m. on Thursday June 17. I will be working with the Canadian Pro Rodeo Sports Medicine Team at the Innisfail Rodeo.

4. 24 Hour Relay. Our office is entering a team in the Piper Creek Optimist’s 24 Hour Relay to benefit the youth of our community. We have a few spots left for this non-competitive, all-fun event. It’s a great way to help yourself and those around you. Contact Carol to sign up. We only need one hour of your time and for you to raise a few pledges. You’ll get a free T-shirt, complimentary adjustment and a great sense of making a difference.

5. Wellness Orientation Workshops. What is the connection between the nervous system and your spine? Why does Doc Stacy always talk about the nerves? For the answers to these and many other questions, join us for one of our W.O.W.’s in June. The dates are Wednesday June 9 and Monday June 21. They start at 5:30 pm here in the office. Bring a friend!