Find a Sauna

Saunas do more than just help you relax, they help clear toxins from your body. It's done not only through the predictable means-the sweat-but because the forced constriction and dilation of blood vessels that happens when you go into and out of the heat releases the chemical nitric oxide.

Brain Facts

Your brain loses 10 percent of its weight between the ages of twenty and ninety. We lose around forty thousand nerves per day, so by age sixty-five roughly one-tenth of our brain cells are gone. And the rate of loss is higher in the frontal brain region, which controls problem solving, the ability to think abstractly, and the ability to carry out multiple tasks simultaneously.

Sprain/Strain

A Strain/sprain is the over stretching or tearing of muscle fibers. A Sprain references the over stretching or tearing of ligaments (the tissue that hold the joints together). The severity of the injury may be minor involving the overstretching and tearing of minute fibers of the muscle or ligament. The severity of the sprain/strain is determined by how many fibers have been torn. The more fibers that are torn, the longer the injury will take to heal.

At HealthFirst, we are well trained to care for Sprain/Strain conditions.

Sciatica

Sciatica references symptoms down the buttocks, thigh and leg as a result of irritation or pressure upon the sciatic nerve. The severity and extent of the symptoms will depend upon the amount of pressure or irritation of the nerve roots involved.

The Sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It begins at the spinal nerve roots in the lower back, travels deep through the buttocks, thigh, lower leg and into the foot. It contains millions of nerve fibers that control leg functions including the muscle activity, balance, reflexes and sensation.

Sciatica is often the result of cumulative damage. Years of bad posture, poor muscle tone, excess weight or other causes set the state.

The majority of sciatica patients will respond to conservative care such as Chiropractic adjustments, therapy, exercise and lifestyle changes.

Happiness

Happiness is not a matter of good fortune or worldly possessions. It's a mental attitude. It comes from appreciating what we have, instead of being miserable about what we don't have. It's so simple-yet so hard for the human mind to comprehend.

What Makes HealthFirst Chiropractic Different?

HealthFirst is the only chiropractor to offer a consolidated set of Health Healing Stages which reinforce the body's innate capability as a self regulating machine and encourage wellness goals.

We're not interested just in short-term pain relief.

Wellness comes first, and our commitment to health is long-term.

We have a legacy of wellness- over 35 years of combined experience.

The Real Scoop About Chiropractic

Doctors of Chiropractic (D.C.) comprise the second largest health profession with over 50,000 practitioners in the US. They earn the title "doctor" along with medical doctors(M.D.), doctors of Oseopathy(D.O.), and Dentist(D.D.S.)

The education process leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic is quite similar to that of an M.D. and D.O.. In order to earn a D.C. degree a student must complete several years of pre-chiropractic studies at colleges or universities, followed by 5 acedemic years of chiropractic education
(totaling a minimum of 7 years of study).

What Kind of Headaches?

Headaches are the #1 reason people use over the counter drugs! Almost all people experience a headache at some time in their lives. One study estimates that over 50 million people in the US suffer from headaches.

Although most headaches do not indicate serious illness, they are a major cause suffering and missed work, and rank as one of the most common reasons people consult a doctor.

The International Headache Society has actually classified 129 different types of headaches! The most common headaches come from the muscles, blood vessels, joints, or systemic conditions.

At HealthFirst we have had considerable success in relieving the cause of headache pain.

Disc Herniations

The most common cause for a true "pinched nerve" is a disc herniation. A herniated disc is sometimes, although not accurately called a slipped disc, and is the most common cause of severe back pain and sciatica. A disc becomes herniated when the jelly doughnut-like ruptures out to the point that it "pinches" the nerve.

Special testing such as CT Scans or MRIs are recommended to assess the severity of the disc disorder, and can be very helpful in determining the best treatment plan.

Your Doctor of Chiropractic may use spinal adjustment or a special technique to treat your pinched nerve, such as spinal decompression, spinal rehabilitation and exercises.

Health Care vs Sick Care

What is the difference between health care and sick care? Sick care is mostly about relieving symptoms. Health care is about improving performance.

While sick care is about how you feel, health care is about how you function. Sick care is what you do to treat an obvious problem, and health care is what you do to avoid the problem and advance your well being.

It's your future...perform it well

Natural vs Synthetic Vitamins

Is not enough to just take a vitamin everyday. But more important, is are you taking the right kind or just wasteing your money? Getting your vitamins from nutritious whole foods like vegtables and fruits are your best choice. However, knowing that most people are not getting 8-10 servings of vegtables and fruits daily, a multiple vitamin is suggested.

Are you taking a natural healthy whole food vitamin or a chemical synthetic man made vitamin? There is a huge difference between natural whole food vitamins and synthetic artificial vitamins. When you eat food or take whole food vitamins, you are getting the whole complex of nutrients. A synthetic vitamin is made with only a piece of the complex. These small parts of the vitamin are called isolate or fractional pieces. It would be like using two out of twenty ingredients when cooking.

Research indicates that man-made synthetic vitamins may actually cause nutritional deficiencies. Science cannot come close to duplicating nature. Many illnesses are a result of our dietary ignorance.

At HealthFirst we use Standard Process whole food supplements from organicly grown vegtables from Wisconsin. They have a patented process of cold compressing these nutrients into a tablet. This allows for the whole vitamin complex to be utilized by the body.

If your taking a common store bought vitamin brand and they are not derived from whole food, stop today and switch to a whole food brand.

See a HealthFirst doctor today and ask them to review your nutrition needs. Also ask about the N.E.W.(Nutrition For Evolved Wellness) program.

It's your life... perform it well

Chiropractic Care is Safe

Many research studies show conservative chiropractic care is safer and often more effective than back surgery.

The chiropractic approach is to restore a more normal motion and position of affected spinal bones with specific chiropractic adjustments.

The simplicity and success of this approach has been documented in numerous research projects and has helped many patients avoid risky surgery.

Chiropractors often consult with medical doctors, neurologist, radiologist and surgeons when designing care programs for lowback and many other health problems.

Ways To Lower Your Blood Pressure

If you have had high blood pressure, you should get it checked regularly and consult with your doctor.

Here are a few ways to help keep your blood pressure under control.

1. Eat less salt

2. Exercise more

3. Stop smoking

4. Maintain a reasonable weight

5. Reduce your stress

6. Medication may be necessary

What is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is expressed in two numbers, a top and a bottom number. It is measuring the amount of pressure in your arteries. An average blood pressure might read 120 over 80. This is a common guideline used by many doctors. There are many health factors that must be taken into consideration when determining a normal blood pressure for each person.

The top number measures the amount of pressure on your blood vessel walls when your heart is pumping blood out of the heart. The lowering number is measuring the amount of pressure on your blood vessels when the heart is filling back up with blood.

You may have been told you have high blood pressure if either of both numbers are higher than the average.

Tomorrow, I will share with you ways you can lower your blood pressure.

HealthFirst Chiropractic

thousands of people just like you have had the opportunity to experience the benefits of chiropractic. At HealthFirst, were taking Chiropractic care one step further. To be the industry leader by focusing on our wellness partners long-term health and not just simple relief. By helping you learn more healthful habits, we can transform the way you think about your health for the better

So while the reason you became a wellness partner may initially be pain we'll help you achieve an "aliveness"
you never thought was possible through our unique Health Healing system.

It's Your Life...Perform It Well

Healthy Habits 101

We all want to teach our children to grow up healthy, but where do we start?

Here are 7 ways to teach your children the value of a Healthy Lifestyle.

1. Practice what you preach. Lead by example and your children will follow. After all they do root for your favorite teams.

2. Involve the whole family. Do family functions that involves exercise.

3. Limit T.V. time. Too much T.V. or computer games can lead to excessive snacking and lack of exercise. Get them out of the house and staying active.

4. Make it fun. Let your children discover which specific healthy activities they enjoy.

5. Focus on the Positive. Celebrate your children's successes and help them develop a healthy self-image.

6. Knowledge is power. Teach your children the value of reading food labels. Helping them understand what is in good and bad foods will allow them to make healthy food choices.

7. Don't pass the buck. Your the parent, don't assume they will learn all these healthy habits.

Being healthy is a choice and doesn't just happen. One of the best gifts you can pass on to your children is the understanding and importance of good health.

It's A New Year, But Is It The Same You?

It's a new year, but is it the same you? It's your choice, you can have more of the sameness or the newness you need for growth.

Sameness is easy because it doesn't take a lot of work. You just show up and keep doing what you have been doing.

Growth takes work. It's what makes it challenging for people. They are in a routine of sameness and the work needed is too much for them.

It's your choice, a New You or sameness. It's your life ..perform it well!

What is Life?

Life is a challenge... meet it

Life is a gift... accept it

Life is a game... play it

Life is a song... sing it

Life is a journey... complete it

life is a puzzle... solve it

Life is a goal... achieve it

It's Your Opportunity

The greatest opportunity you have to reduce premature death and improved health lies in your own personal behavior.

Make better health decisions starting today.

Get The Elastic Bands Out

Can elastic bands provide the same benefits as traditional weight machines? A study published in the September Issue of the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research concludes that elastic bands can offer significant physiological benefits compared to those from weight machines.

Get out those bands put them to work.

Germ Theory

Germs don't cause disease anymore than flies cause garbage cans. Germs are a threat only when you create a hospitality environment for them to flourish. Keep your immune system strong and healthy and the germs won't want anything to do with you.

Time For a Spinal Tuneup

When you care about your car, you take it to the shop for the tuneups it needs. Your spine is no different. It needs a regular "tuneup" as well, complete with Chiropractic adjustments. Get a HealthFirst checkup before you get the problem.

Tips for Your Arthritis

Inflammation can be aggravated by certain foods. The following foods should be eliminated or avoided. Dairy products, caffeine, citrus fruits, paprika, salt, tobacco and sugar. Also nightshades (red, green, and yellow bell peppers, egg plant and tomatoes.)

Foods that should be eaten to help repair and rebuild the joints are asparagus, eggs, garlic, onions, fresh green leafy vegetables, fresh vegetables, non-acidic fruit, whole grains, oatmeal, brown rice, fish, and fresh pineapple. Fresh pineapple contains bromelain, a powerful natural anti-inflammatory agent, which works by stimulating the body's production of prostaglandins. Fish contains the essential fatty acid omega3 which is also important for joint function.

One of the most overlooked approaches to improve the discomfort associated with arthritis is hydration. Dehydration is responsible for the majority of joint pain. A good rule of thumb is to drink half of your weight in ounces. If you weigh 180 lbs. you should drink 90 ounces of pure , filtered water per day.

Exercise is important to help keep blood suppy to the joints. So, take a walk or a bike ride to enhance your overall health.

What's Up With My Arthritis?

Arthritis is one of the oldest known afflictions and can affect virtually every part of the body, from the feet to the knees, back, shoulders and fingers. More than 50 million Americans suffer from arthritis.

Tomorrow I will share with you what you can do about your arthritis.

My Favorite Multiple Supplement

Most people find it difficult to eat 3-4 balanced meals a day. I recommend a multiple supplement to most of my patients and their children. It is very important that your body receives the necessary nutrients on a daily basis. If you're not eating 5-6 servings of vegetables and fruits everyday then you will need to add a supplement to your diet.

My favorite multiple is from Standard Process. These are whole food supplements from organic vegetables. These supplements contain the whole vitamin and mineral complex. Other common brands contain isolated fractional parts of the vitamin.

If its not whole food supplements it's not worth taking. Ask a HealthFirst Doctor about what you should be taking.

A Sweet Solution

Cornell university scientists performed a study with 14,000 people. They found out that those that ate the most candy also downed the most fruit, because they both tasted sweet. But the same amount of fruit, by weight, contains far less sugar and packs a healthy dose of belly-filling fiber.

Case in point: A regular pack-age of skillets has 47 grams of sugar, while half a cup of blueberries serves up just 8 grams. Next time you feel like you need something sweet grab some fresh fruit substitutes instead.

Make It Count

Live
longer, feel better and stay younger by creating total health and well being, by living a more effective, more natural Chiropractic lifestyle.

The Power That Made The Body Is The Same Power That Heals The Body

Your body has an incredible inborn healing power that heals from infections and diseases the same way it heals from a simple cut. The most common and epidemic interference to the body's ability to self heal is the spinal misalignments. By adjusting the spinal misalignments and reconnecting the brain and the body, miraculous healing energy strengthens your immune system and increases personal power. The power that made the body is the same power that heals the body.

Do you have more faith in a pill or a potion than the incredible intelligence that created you?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Time to ring in the new YOU. It's that time of the year that we all think about what we are going to do to better our selves. Write down 3 simple goals that you are committed to improving this next year. Write them down and stick with them. You are who you are and what you are because of what you do.

Good luck and I wish this to be your best year ever.