How Does a Chiropractor Keep You Well?

When you feel good, you probably do not say to yourself, “My health is great! Time to go see my chiropractor.” Many of us tend to forget about our health until we have lost it, at which point we may have to take extreme measures to get it back. We would prefer that our patients continue feeling well all year round, year after year, instead of letting things slide and then going in for repairs.

How do spinal adjustments fit into the wellness picture? Keep in mind that your spine performs several critical roles, from structural support to housing your body’s main communications switchboard, the spinal cord. The spine faces all kinds of major and minor challenges from day to day as you stand, walk, sit, drive, or lift heavy objects. Over time, even the tiniest stresses can contribute to spinal misalignments, which then put additional strain on your muscles, connective tissues and nerves. If you let the situation snowball, eventually you could find yourself with a major spinal issue.

Spinal misalignments that pinch the spinal nerves can create a wide range of physical problems that you would never associate with your back. These nerves do more than communicate pain -- they also tell your body how to function. As nerve function becomes more and more impaired, you could experience anything from poor immune response or reproductive problems to increased risk of diabetes, hypertension or migraines. In other words, you are only as well as your musculoskeletal system will allow!

Wellness Services in Richmond

Come to our clinic for Richmond chiropractic care, including a customized wellness program that could make all the difference in your overall wellness. Our chiropractors, Drs. Ambrose and Matthews, can give you a thorough examination and recommend any adjustment, massage or other therapies you may need. Enjoy life more fully, perform better on the job and avoid unnecessary medical costs -- get well and stay well, starting today!

What wellness measures do your perform on a regular basis?

Despite the fact that some of you're favorite food says 0 grams trans fat on the label you should still be cautious.  The FDA allows food manufacturers to put .5 grams of trans fat PER SERVING and still have ZERO grams trans fat on the label.  If you see the words HYDROGENATED or PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED on the label then the product contains trans fats.  

Some studies indicate that no amount of trans fat is safe in your diet.  These fats simultaneously raise LDL's while lowering HDL's.  If you have a significant difference between these 2 blood values you are at risk for a cardiovascular problems (including the probability of a major heart attack).

Check for trans fats in some unlikely places by searching labels for the above words.  Many commercial coffee creamers, taco seasoning packets and even peanut butter use the above FDA loophole to hide trans fat.   Always try to limit or eliminate processed or packaged foods as much as possible. 

Massaging Your Health in Richmond

Whether you just want to maintain a high degree of overall wellness or you need to address a specific physical condition, you might be surprised at how dramatically massage can improve your health. In fact, this form of therapy is so helpful that we offer it alongside our other services at Ambrose Chiropractic and Acupuncture Clinic, LLC.

When your body is massaged, circulation to the body part being treated increases, feeding extra oxygen and nutrients to tissues that need it. Massage also helps those tissues to dispose of lactic acid and other substances that can cause pain or inflammation. Beyond this general description, however, different techniques tend to yield different specific benefits. For instance, the well-known Swedish variety employs light strokes that stimulate blood flow near the skin surface, relaxing muscles and allowing for speedier healing of superficial injuries. The technique’s effectiveness can be enhanced through the placement of hot stones on the body. By contrast, deep tissue work uses stronger manipulations to relieve chronic “knots” in the muscles and help release scar tissue, providing direct relief while also helping your chiropractor perform more effective adjustments.

Some massages are meant to serve specific situations. Sports massages help athletes limber up safely and efficiently before upcoming events and return their muscles to a relaxed state afterward. Pre-natal massages help relieve the water retention and muscle strains associated with pregnancy. Busy employees on the go can enjoy a soothing break with a quick but effective chair session that relaxes the upper body in a matter of minutes.

Advice from Our Chiropractor

Are you not sure which technique is right for you? Find out at our clinic! We can determine precisely where your muscle tension originates, organize a series of massages as part of a larger physical therapy regimen, or perform chair massages that will having you feeling terrific for the rest of your demanding workday. We want to be your Richmond massage resource!

Have you ever undergone deep tissue or other techniques to treat an injury? Tell us your story!

Vitamin D deficiency has become a serious epidemic.  Maintaining normal levels can decrease your cancer risk by 30-60% on all forms of cancer. Additionally, Vitamin D plays roles in mood support, brain function and overall mental health.  Vitamin D has also been used as a natural antidepressant. There are numerous factors that led to this dangerous nutritional epidemic.  In today's post, I would like to describe the cause of this deficiency, the appropriate testing to diagnose the problem and a comprehensive solution. 

Cause-  The overuse of sunblock is one contributing factor in the problem. We have been taught to fear the damaging rays of the sun.  Exposure to the sun is vital to our survival.  Sunblock should only be used to prevent over-exposure to the sun.  Your body is able to convert natural sunlight into Vitamin D.  20 minutes per day of sunlight exposure is optimal.   

Test- In order to properly test your Vitamin D levels you must obtain a 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D test when you have blood work done.  Make sure not to confuse this with the 1, 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D test.  Normal levels are between 30-100 ng/ml but the OPTIMAL level is between 45-100 ng/ml. Often when patient results are normal they are actually in the low-normal range of 30-35 ng/ml. 

Solution- In order to achieve normal (or preferably optimal) levels of Vitamin D it is necessary to load in excess of the RDA for a short period of time.  RDA for Vitamin D is 2000 iu per day.  If your test results reveal low or low normal values patients are placed on 15,000 to 18,000 iu of good quality Vitamin D3 (also known as cholicalciferol) PER DAY for 3 weeks and then we retest.  

Corporate Chair Massages – Our Therapist Comes to You!

Massage therapy has been used for thousands of years as a method of relieving pain, stress and anxiety, but when you are working a full day and then going home to take care of your domestic duties, there is not much time left to take care of your body. The best part of the corporate chair therapy program is that the therapist comes to you. We serve Richmond, VA., and our therapist will travel to any business in the local area.

Corporate Chair Massages are chiropractor Recommended

The physical benefits of a chair massage are many. Research has proven that workers who receive a 15 minute gentle manipulation as little as twice per week have reduced anxiety levels, are more alert and relaxed and they have measurably less stress.

Massage is not just beneficial to mental health but also to physical well-being. Even short manipulations can decrease blood pressure, alleviate pain, increase circulation, relax muscles and more. Each of these beneficial results of can be given to your employees when you arrange for corporate chair sessions.

As an employer you want your employees to be functioning at peak leaves, with as little down time as possible. Allowing them a few minutes a week for a chair massage will not only improve their performance but the added health benefits mean that there will be fewer health insurance claims. Rather than your employee having to give up a few hours worth of work for a chiropractic visit, regular chair sessions at work will ultimately save employers time and money.

Richmond massage therapy can be used in the workplace as rewards or incentives, or they can be a part of wellness fairs and other corporate events. No matter the reason, at %CLIENT_BUSINESSNAME% and Acupuncture Clinic we want you to feel better faster. If you visit our office for a session with a chiropractor for physical therapy or if our therapist comes to you, your health and well-being are always our primary concern.

How have short chair sessions improved your work performance?