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

Andre Gide

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November 2002

Contents

1. “If I Were Feeling Good, I Wouldn’t Be Here”
2. Saving Taxes on Your Health Care and Dental Expenses
3. Question of the Month
4. Health News
5. Office Happenings

“If I Were Feeling Good, I Wouldn’t Be Here”

When people come into a doctor’s office, most comment on how they are feeling. The responses can range from “doing well” to “I feel like crap!” One of the more interesting statements is “If I were feeling good, I wouldn’t be here!” From that person’s perspective, chiropractic care is useful when they are in pain or experiencing symptoms. They wouldn’t need to see someone if they were feeling good. You only work on your health when you’re sick or don’t have it. 

If you own a car or truck and I asked when you should change the oil, most people would say every 5 000 km or 3 months. They might mention when that sticker on the windshield says so. Why do you do that? Is it because there are “symptoms” coming from your car, the engine starts running rough or the oil light goes off on the dash? It is because someone told you that it extended and improved the life and performance of your vehicle. Let’s think about your spine in the same way. 

A spine needs help to perform at its best even when it doesn’t hurt. So does your health. You have been taught that exercising on a regular basis is good for you. You don’t need to wait for a symptom like an increase in pant size to start working out. You do it because you want to be healthier, have more energy and to release stress. By seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis, whether you “feel good” or not, you can receive similar benefits.

Your spine is your main support for your nervous system. Your nervous system is the lifeline for your body. The messages that run and manage your health originate and travel over it. Low-grade misalignments of your spine that don’t cause pain can disrupt those messages, causing a downward spiral in our health. Regular chiropractic adjustments take care of the low-grade misalignments so you can enjoy a healthier lifestyle. 

Next time you think about your spine, don’t use symptoms as your only gauge. Put a sticker on your windshield or mirror to remind yourself when it’s time to get your spine checked. Because feeling good is a reason to go to your chiropractor, so you can be even better. 

Saving Taxes on Your Health Care and Dental Expenses

How would you like to deduct your medical and dental expenses rather than
paying for them with an after tax dollar?? CCRA (Revenue Canada) allows self employed individuals and companies to achieve the maximum tax deduction for most dental and medical expenses including Chiropractic services. 

By establishing a trust known as a Private Health Services Plan (PHSP) you may have an opportunity to tax deduct many of these services. This includes things such as basic dental, orthodontics, chiropractic care, prescription drugs, laser eye surgery and contact lenses to name a few. The cost to set up a trust is fairly minimal, usually about $200.00 and thereafter the cost is a 10% administration fee applied to your actual expenses. 

With a PHSP you can avoid paying high monthly insurance premiums, as you are essentially "self insuring". These types of plans can be used for sole proprietors or incorporated companies.

For more information and details on how to establish your own PHSP call or email Glenn Devereaux, Certified Financial Planner at 340-2016.

Question of the Month

Why is it when there is a “flu bug” going around not everyone gets sick?

Viruses and bacteria are opportunists. What that means is they don’t stand a chance unless your body is rundown. In fact, a lot of the viruses and bacteria that are said to cause sickness and disease are present in your body every day. They can only be harmful when the system weakens. So how can we keep our bodies running well? The obvious answers are good nutrition, adequate rest, moderate exercise, and a positive outlook on life. An often overlooked aspect is a healthy spine and nervous system. If our brain and body cannot communicate properly, we can’t mount the proper defenses, we may not get the complete nutritional value from our food and we’re not reaching our potential. Get your spine and nervous system checked by a chiropractor today to ensure you are as healthy as you can be. 

Health News

What is Possible!!!

Just nine-and-a-half months after being paralyzed from the chest down in a bike crash in Lanzarote, Belgian triathlete Marc Herremans will be at the starting line for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii. He finished sixth overall in last year’s race. http://www.insidetri.com/race/iro/articles/1213.0.html

This is an amazing story about what is possible for each of us. If you are unfamiliar with triathlons, at this level of competition they swim 2.4 miles in the ocean, then jump on a bike for 112 mile ride and finish off by running a marathon (26.2 miles). It’s incredible to accomplish this able-bodied, and he did, but to do it the next year in the physically challenged category is mind blowing! Remember use the word impossible with caution, especially with the body.

Pain killers may be linked to high blood pressure

The popular pain relievers ibuprofen and acetaminophen, contained in scores of over-the-counter remedies, may increase the risk of high blood pressure, a study in women suggests. To read more, go to the following link. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2002-10-28-painkillers-blood-pressure_x.htm

Researchers say the study design is weak but that the results are plausible given how the drugs work. Women who took the drug for 22 days a month or more were twice as likely to develop high blood pressure than those who did not. Something to think about when you experience pain and what you choose to do about it.

Just For Laughs!

Office Happenings

1. T.G.F.P.!! On Friday November 22, we will be kicking off our Thank Goodness For Prosperity (T.G.F.P.) celebration. This year we are sponsoring a family through the Central Alberta Women’s Outreach Society who would not otherwise have the means to celebrate Christmas. From November 22 to December 6 we are asking patients to help us raise $400 to purchase gifts, food vouchers and decorations for this family. Join in the spirit of the season and make a difference in our community.

2. Office Closing. The office will be closed on Monday November 11 in honor of Remembrance Day and will be closed on Thursday November 28 to celebrate American Thanksgiving with my family.

3. Super Sleuth Contest Winner. Congratulations to Sheldon & Caran Seward who had all the correct responses to our website quiz and will enjoy a night at the movies. The answers to the questions were: 1. Alert, Aware, Adapt and Alive. 2. Piper Creek Optimists 3. The weight of a dime!!!! 4. He had eczema 5. Balance and Tension. Thanks to all those who entered.

4. Wellness Orientation Workshops (W.O.W.'s). Here are the dates for upcoming classes: Monday November 4, Wednesday November 13, Monday November 18 and Wednesday November 27. If you have been planning to get to one, here is your opportunity. They all start at 5:30 pm in the office and help you maximize your results and understanding. See you there!