CARMICHAEL, Calif. – Feb. 1, 2012 – As the New England Patriots and New York Giants prepare to play on the biggest stage of all for football fans – the XLVI Super Bowl, February 5, 2012, Indianapolis, Ind. — the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the value of chiropractic care, points to the role of the team Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) in optimizing functionality, endurance and overall conditioning. Dr. Michael Miller of the Patriots and Dr. Robert DeStefano of the Giants explain that chiropractic is fundamental to the consequences of jarring impacts, enhancing body mechanics and joint motion while improving structural balance vital to preventing and addressing many common injuries.

Welcome to Winter 2012.  There are those who love winter and those who hate it but no matter which one you are, you can not only survive the winter, you can thrive.

I tend to view health and well-being as an ongoing opportunity to continually improve because who wants to stay the same or get worse?

Health is a process and you are either moving upward and getting healthier or sliding downward and getting sicker.  You have the choice!  Read More … Your lifestyle determines your health.  The study of epigenetics reveals that genetic expression is only 25% predetermined by your genes and 75% determined by your lifestyle.  So what does this mean?  This means you are determining your current and future health with every decision you make.

Healthy lifestyle choices such as eating healthy, taking the appropriate supplementation, exercising regularly, getting enough quality sleep and managing your mental/emotional stress, are the things that will keep you moving in a positive direction toward greater levels of health and wellness and a higher quality of life.

Improve Your Health This Winter

Keeping safe, avoiding injury and improving your health is not that hard.  The following are some simple tips to help you and your family have their BEST WINTER EVER!

Snow Shoveling Safety Tips

I encourage everyone to use a snow blower, plow service … Avoid shoveling if you can, but if you must shovel: Read More …

• Wake-up early and give yourself enough time to shovel before work – don’t rush, this is how you get hurt
• Layer clothing to keep your muscles warm and flexible and avoid exposure issues
• Shoveling can strain “de-conditioned” muscles between your shoulders, in your upper back, lower back, buttocks and legs. So, do some warm-up stretching before your grab that shovel.
• When you do shovel, push the snow straight ahead; don’t try to throw it. Walk it to the snow bank, Avoid sudden twisting and turning motions.
• Bend your knees to lift when shoveling. Do not bend forward at the waist. Let the muscles of your legs and arms do the work, not your back.
• Take frequent rest breaks to take the strain off your muscles. Injuries happen when you are fatigued.
• Stop if you feel chest pain, or get really tired or have shortness of breath. You may need immediate medical care.

 Winter Wellness Tips for Your Family

Does the winter weather get you sick, literally?  Do you suffer from colds & flu like symptoms, sinus congestion, feeling cold all the time?  If so, consider the following:  Read More …

1. Treat your nerve system, the master control system of your body, at least as well as you do your teeth.  If your information super highway is under major construction, your body will not be able to use all the other positive lifestyle efforts you are making.  When your nerve system is clear and functioning well (the only doctor trained to check for this is a chiropractor) your body will use all of your positive efforts to their fullest extent and will provide you with your Highest Level of Health and Greatest Quality of Life.  Get regular nerve system check-ups at Stern Chiropractic.
2. Eat Well – Think about your food choices.  Most things are okay in moderation but:- Make sure to get colorful vegetables and fruits in your diet daily.- Drink at least ½ your body weight in ounces of water per day.- Take a high quality multi vitamin, fish oil, Vitamin D3 & Probiotic each day
3. Move Well – Get off the couch and away from the screens.  In warm or cold weather, make sure to get outside, run around and have FUN

   - Sedentary lifestyles and too much screen time deteriorates your brain and your health

4. Think Well – Positive affirmations performed out loud daily and a process of ongoing goal setting will change the way you see things, provide you with a more positive outlook on life and move you toward the life of your dreams.
5. Get enough Restorative Rest each day – if you are tired in the morning and having trouble getting out of bed, you are not getting enough sleep or the quality of your sleep is challenged.  Sleep is a time of rest and healing.  If you are not getting enough restorative rest your body will not have the capacity to function properly, heal and thrive.

 Our expertise will improve your family’s Quality of Life!

Call Stern Chiropractic to schedule your family’s health evaluation TODAY!

I hope you have enjoyed our newsletter.  If you know someone this may help, please share it.  This small act of sharing can have profound effects for generations to come.

Like Stern Chiropractic on Facebook and see health and wellness articles posted on a
regular basis.

I wish you all a HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

The New Year brings with it the perception of a clean slate, an opportunity to re-start your life with a completely fresh perspective.  Actually, I try to practice forgiveness every day by allowing the events of the past to be in the past (it is joyous and freeing when I am actually able to do it) so that each new day or even each new moment brings with it a clean slate.

Our thoughts and beliefs are what mold our destiny.  To achieve our greatest potential, our thoughts, actions, visions, missions and purposes must be congruent with our conscious and unconscious beliefs.  When you travel through your life unconsciously with no congruency of purpose, mission, vision, thought and action it always seems as though the world is “doing it to you” and the external environment (economic, social or even the weather) controls what happens to you.  But when you live life with a clear purpose, mission and vision and you focus your efforts on having thoughts and actions that are congruent with this, now you have the ABSOLUTE ABILITY TO MANIFEST YOUR OWN DESTINY in the way you want it to be.

Every day I see my children and the children in my practice smile, giggle and laugh for no other reason than their hearts are filled with joy and they have no “baggage” to muddy their life experience.  My wish for all of you this new year is that: Every day brings you a  fresh new star; You see the world through the eyes of a child reveling in the glory of the simplest of things; You share this joy and love with everyone you meet; and You make this a better world, 1 smile, 1 hug, 1 kind word and 1 selfless action at a time.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

- Marcel Proust

Change your life situation by changing your mind and the way you see/experience the world.  If you are waiting for things to get better, you will live a lifetime spent waiting.  If you see those people that challenge you most as your greatest teachers and those “bad” things that happen as the challenges sent to you to help you grow into the glorious being you truly are, all of the sudden life takes on a completely different hue.

These are not easy thing to do but DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY.  Take baby steps and do one thing at a time.  There is no past or future, just the present, Live it and enjoy it.

In the final analysis, the great seekers of wisdom found that it is not what you know, but how you live that counts.  So live as if every moment was your last and as if you would be remembered in perpetuity by the way you acted just a moment ago.

LIVE MORE, LOVE MORE, BE MORE!

I hope the glow in my heart when writing this shines upon you as you read it.

I Love You for being you now I hope you will share your love with someone else.

I have enclosed some wonderful words of wisdom that I compiled from a presentation I attended by Deepak Chopra.  Message of Wisdom for the New Year from Stern Chiropractic.

I hope you enjoy these thoughts and more importantly I hope this helps you have your BEST YEAR EVER!

Our expertise will improve your family’s Quality of Life!

Call Stern Chiropractic to schedule your family’s health evaluation TODAY!

I hope you have enjoyed our newsletter.  If you know someone this may help, please share it.  This small act of sharing can have profound effects for generations to come.

LIKE Stern Chiropractic on Facebook and see health and wellness articles posted on a regular basis.

December is here, filled with good cheer and Stern Chiropractic is wishing you a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season and New Year!

Are you on a path toward great health and well-being, more joy and happiness and a Higher Quality of Life?  Did you have your BEST YEAR EVER?  Would you like 2012 to be even better?

Dr. Stern Specializes in Wellness Lifestyle Coaching for family members of ALL AGES and can help your family MAXIMIZE their ENJOYMENT OF LIFE!

Click HERE to Contact us TODAY to find out more.

Helping Those In Need This Holiday Season

From December 1^st – 22^nd Stern Chiropractic will be collecting non-perishable food for the Vernon Township Food Pantry.  You can drop your food donations off at our office.

Be thankful for what you have, help those in need.

Click HERE to see a list of food items needed.

30 Happiness Tips: Program Your Life for Optimum Enjoyment

Written for Dumb Little Man by Leo Babuata

Our expertise will improve your family’s Quality of Life!

Call Stern Chiropractic to schedule your family’s health evaluation TODAY!

I hope you have enjoyed our newsletter.  If you know someone this may help, please share it.  This small act of sharing can have profound effects for generations to come.

November is here and as we approach the holiday season you must ask yourself, am I happy with my current level of health?  If not, there is no better time than the present to make the necessary changes that could improve your QUALITY of LIFE!

One area to evaluate is nutrition.  Previously, I addressed your diet (September 2011 Newsletter http://sternchiro.com/2011/09/september-2011-healthy-diet-simple/).  This month I will address Vitamins and Supplementation.

Vitamins and Supplements – Do You Need Them?

A Recent study in the popular press has tried to scare people into believing that vitamins are not good for you but it turns out this conclusion was inacurate on many levels and the the main body of current research suggests:

1. Our body needs essential nutrients to keep healthy and to function properly.
2. Most people are not eating enough vegetables and fruit to get all of the essential nutrients through their diet.
3. Many foods we eat are nutrient deficient, both due to overprocessing of foods and farming practices.
4. High quality supplementation provides the missing nutrients we need.

Conclusion: Almost everyone needs to supplement their diet with high quality vitamins and supplements.

Vitamins and Supplements – What Should You Be Taking

There is a great deal to know about vitamins and supplements in regards to their quality, safety and efficacy and While everyone’s nutritional and supplement needs vary based on their diet, age, health concerns, etc. … most people should be taking what I have dubbed “The Fabulous 4”.

The Fabulous 4

1. Multivitamin - The foundation of proper supplementation

As indicated above, most people are not eating enough vegetables and fruit to get all of the essential nutrients through their diet.  Many foods we eat are nutrient deficient, both due to overprocessing and farming practices.  Because of this, almost all of us need a HIGH QUALITY low dose multivitain to provide the extra nutrients needed, in addition to a healthy diet, for our bodies to function properly.

Quality if Vital!  The Centrums, One A Day’s and many of the other brands found in the stores are mostly passing through whole.

The multivitamin sold at Stern Chiropractic is a high quality well absorbed multiple vitamin and mineral supplement which supplies unique forms of important micro-nutrients to support good health and healing.

• Also available in:
• Liquid form for children and those who have difficulty swallowing pills.
• Special Formulation for Peri & Menopausal Women

2.   Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) are fats that your body requires but cannot produce itself.   Now that much of our fish population is farm raised and/or toxic we need a clean, safe alternative source of these vital fats.  For this reason, supplementation with a high quality fish oil is vitable for good Heart Health, Bone Health, Nerve System Health and to Reduce
Inflammation.  Along with that, when properly doesed and monitored it can help with issues such as heart disease, arthritis, ADD, depression, stroke, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, osteoporosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, eczema, learning and cognitive development problems, and Alzheimer’s.  DHA has also been shown to be VITAL for pre-natal supplement by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding

The products sold at Stern Chiropractic are purified in a non-chemical molecular distillation process that removes all trace amounts of heavy metals, PCBs, organochlorides, and organophosphate pesticides resulting in the safest, purest source of EPA/DHA fish oil possible.

• Available in liquid and capsule forms

3.   Vitamin D3

An abundance of recent reseach supports the fact that many people have low levels of Vit D and this can lead to a multitude of health issues.  The highest quality Vitamin D3 product at proper dosing is vital for good health.  Research support Vitamin D3 supplementation for bone, breast, prostate, cardiovascular, colon and immune health and we supply it in an easy to use liquid form that provides a higher rate of absorption than a capsule or tablet.

4.   Probiotics

Probiotics are the natural flora of your gut that keeps your digestion good, elimination regular and supports your immune system.  Whenever you take an antibiotic, eat unhealthy foods including genetically modified foods or allow you body to get sick, your gut flora is negatively impacticed.  Daily replenishment of this natural gut flora with a high quality probiotic will do wonders for any digestion and elimination issues you may be having as well as boost the health of your immune system.

The proiotics sold at Stern Chiropractic include a scientific blend of the 7 most important organisms supported by research along with a prebiotic to maintain their viability and is designed to replenish and maintain the healthy gut flora.

Are All Vitamin Brands Created Equal

Absolutely NOT!

Don’t WASTE YOUR MONEY on commercial brands.  Many of them are not providing what you think you are getting.

• The Centrums, One A Day’s, Walgreens A-Z … are not well absorbed and may be passing through whole.
• A lawsuite last year demonstrated that most store bought fish oil supplements were over allowable PCB levels and TOXIC!

Stern Chiropractic carries only the highest quality vitamins and supplements that meet stringent quality guidelines, are well absorbed and have independent lab testing of each run to substantiate the quality of the ingredients and that what is on the lable is in the bottle.

Do You Need Proper Guidance to Get the Appropriate Vitamins/Supplements for Your Family? 

Would you like to keep your family healthy with the least possible investment of time, effort and money?  While some health food store employees can offer good advice to point you in the right direction, most don’t know any more than you and they don’t have the level of expertise you need to make the proper choices.

Countless numbers of people have accumulated cabinets full of vitamins based on recommendations from friends, family, co-workers, athletic trainers, etc…  Of these vitamins and supplements, some of poor quality, some are duplicating what you already have and some you should not be taking at all.  Vitamins and supplements are designed to help you get healthier but when taking improperly and without the proper monitoring they could be dangerous (i.e. taking to much fish oil when on blood thinners could lead to bleeding problems.)  There is a lot to know when determining what vitamins and supplements you should be taking.

Shopping for vitamins and supplements without good advice and quality you can trust can be a waste of time and money and potentially dangerous.

Dr. Stern offers FREE nutritional consultations so you will only take what you need and be assured that you are taking only the BEST quality vitamins and supplements!

CALL today for your FREE CONSULTATION and receive a SPECIAL OFFER on your first purchase of the FABOULOUS 4 (listed above)!

Click here to see our SPECIAL OFFER!

Our expertise and high-quality products will improve your family’s Quality of Life!

Call Stern Chiropractic to schedule your family’s health evaluation TODAY!

I hope you have enjoyed our newsletter.  If you know someone this may help, please share it.  This small act of sharing can have profound effects for generations to come.

Like Stern Chiropractic on Facebook and see health and wellness articles posted on a regular basis.

It is already October and that is a little SCARY!  This year has really gone by fast, but it is not over yet.  There is still  plenty of time to make 2011 your BEST YEAR EVER!

Fall is here and what a WONDERFUL time of year.  With the beautiful falling leaves comes a little drop in the temperature and a great opportunity to  take time by yourself or with your loved ones to get outside, take walks and  connect with nature.

As demonstrated in the movie Avatar, our  energy and our lives are directly connected to the world we live in and as we form deeper connections to the world around us we sync-up with the energetic flow of the universe creating great ABUNDANCE in our lives.

Similar to when you are playing a sport, there are times where you are “in the ZONE” and times when you just can’t do anything right.

Being “in the zone” is an example of when you have connected with the energetic forces of the universe and everything you do is relaxed, easy and right on!

The question is, how can you be “in the zone” more often?

Meditation is one of the primary methods of getting out of your head and connecting to the energetic flow of the world around you.  Our brain is always trying to be involved in everything we do, but as most of us know, when you are “in the zone”, you are not thinking about anything, you are just feeling and flowing.

Defenitions of Meditation include:

• Development of the mind leading to awareness, tranquility and wisdom.
• To contemplate or reflect in a state of relaxed focus.
• a state of relaxed concentration on the reality of the present moment.
• a state that is experienced when the mind dissolves and is free of all thoughts.

The Health Benefits of Meditation

• Re-balances hemispheres of brain & increases brain activity
• Calms & stabilizes nervous system
• Reduces stress (cortisol)
• Reduces muscle tension
• Reduces serum cholesterol
• Normalizes Blood Pressure
• Strengthens immune function
• Restores normal sleep cycle
• Reverses cardiovascular dz
• Provides energy
• Increases Happiness (Serotonin)
• Clears the mind and helps bring it to a more restful state

There are many types of meditation but don’t worry about that for now.  The key is that meditation is much easier then you “think” and “thinking” is the main obstacle to overcome.  Once you have started meditating, you can explore and research all the different types and choose what is most appealing to you or mix and match to create your own meditation style.

Simple tips to help you start your meditation practice:

• Set aside a block of time – 2 min, 10 min, 30 min, an hour…
• Start small and work your way up to a time that is good for you
• Don’t try to squeeze it in or you will feel rushed
• Create a space
• Comfortable – you can sit in a chair, on a pillow …
• Quite or with relaxing music (instrumentals – no lyrics)
• No distractions
• Lighting should be low
• Relaxing aromas are a nice touch
• Mentally Prepare – no pressure, no problem and no rush
• Get comfortable
• Turn your attention inward
• Choose something to focus on
• Breathing (Prana) – focus on rise & fall of abdomen
• Visualization – thoughts flowing out
• Mantra/Sound/Chanting
• It is normal to feel restless, agitated or bored when you first begin to meditate
• Don’t Try to meditate just relax and set yourself free

Keeping Halloween Healthy

Most things in moderation are fine but are there healthy options for the holiday of candy and sweets?

Halloween is a lot of fun but not when it makes you sick.  As we all know, candy is not good for you and in addition to causing tummy aches the sugar is bad for your teeth, cause inflammation and stress in your body, causes weight gain and weakens your immune system.  The key is to have fun just don’t over-do-it.

Tips for Avoiding Eating Too Much Candy

• Eat a healthy meal before going out trick-or-treating
• Set a limit for how much candy your children can eat while they are trick-or-treating
• If someone is offering a healthier option take it, this will be a rarity
• Make a plan in advance with your children to keep a portion of their candy and give the rest away.

Interesting Notes about Healthy Eating and Pumpkins

• Pumpkin seeds offer an abundance of omega 9 fatty acids and are a very healthy snack
• Baked pumpkin is delicious and offers wonderful vitamins and antioxidants

 I wish you all a Healthy, Happy and Safe Halloween!

Upcoming Events

School District 96 – D96 Dash 5K Run/Walk – Sunday 10/2/11

Stern Chiropractic is a proud sponsor of this event and Dr. Stern will be at the event providing FREE Health & Stress Screenings including hands on evaluations and an incredible EVENT DAY DEAL!  Stop by our table at the event for a FREE screening and an OFFER YOU CAN’T REFUSE!

Halloween

Stop by our office on Halloween for a Healthy Treat and check out Dr. Stern’s AWESOME costume!

 Stern Chiropractic “So Good It’s Scary” Halloween SPECIAL

50% OFF your initial evaluation (including X-rays) during the month of October.

• Must mention this special when scheduling your appointment

Our expertise will improve your family’s Quality of Life!

Call Stern Chiropractic to schedule your family’s health evaluation TODAY!

I hope you have enjoyed our newsletter. If you know someone this may help, please share it. This small act of sharing can have profound effects for generations to come.

LIKE Stern Chiropractic on Facebook and see health and wellness articles posted on a regular basis.

September is here, the kids are headed back to school and Fall is right around the corner.  Last month we discussed Backpack Safety and Back-to-School Check-ups.  This month, let’s talk turkey.

We all know what we should be eating but the question is, are you?  How is your diet?  Would you like to improve your eating habits?  Are you open to making some small changes that could produce BIG health benefits?

We have all heard the phrase “Garbage In, Garbage Out.”  This applies to your diet and health as well.  The government has revised their “Food Pyramid” to a “Plate” so it would be easier to understand food choices and portion control.  Although I do not see this as the primary resource to plan my menu (there are many things missing), it is a way to get some good recommendations about portion control, facts about calorie intake and simple understanding to start to implement appropriate food choices.

Here are a couple of simple ideas to help you plan your menu:

A Colorful Plate

Remember that your meal should incorporate many colors primarily from vegetables and fruits.  This will assure you are getting many needed nutrients and antioxidants.

What About Protein?

Keep the saturated fats to a minimum but a serving of grass fed red meat is fine as are the other suggestions listed on the MyPlate site.  Also, if you choose fish, stick with those that are high in Omega 3 (Salmon, Sardines, Smelt) and make sure it is wild caught.  Farm raised fish can be toxic as can too much Tuna which contains higher levels of mercury and choices such as Talapia that are very high in Omega 6 and can be pro-inflammatory in your body (not good).

Are Fats Bad?

Reduce saturated animal fat intake but make sure to get plenty of Omega 3’s (see fish recommendations above but high quality fish oil supplements like those sold at Stern Chiropractic are your best and safest source).  Also include small daily amounts of other Omega 3, 6 & 9 fats from foods such as Olive Oil, Walnuts, Avacados, Pumpkin Seeds …

Should We Get 3 Squares a Day?

No, more frequent small meals or health snacks between smaller meals is usually better.
Eating a little something every 2-4 hours will keep your metabolism active and keep your energy level high.  Just remember that you will not need as much at your “main meals” when you add a few healthy snacks in during the day.

I’m Thirsty

Stick with WATER!  A good rule of thumb is to drink ½ your body weight in ounces of water per day (i.e. 100 lb person should drink a minimum of 50 oz per day).  If you have a chronic illness, take medications daily, exercise at a moderate or higher level or intake caffeine, you may need to increase this to 2/3 your body weight in ounces per day.

Note: Stay away from soda, energy drinks, sports drinks and other sugary drinks.  They are not good for you and can cause HARM!

Other Considerations

Customize it for You - Please keep in mind, everyone is different and the portions should be based on age, activity level …

Less is More – High caloric intake not only adds on pounds but has a negative impact on your brain and immune system.  Keep your intake within reason and make healthy choices.

Exercise – don’t forget that movement is life.  In order to keep your body healthy and weight down you must burn at least as many calories as you take in.  Stay limber and flexible and keep your cardiovascular system healthy.

High Quality Supplements – even a diet high in vegetable intake should include the basic supplements: Multivitamin, Fish Oil, Vitamin D and Probiotic (stay tuned to next month’s newsletter for a review of supplements).

A Well-Functioning Nerve System – in order for your body to use the good nutrients you are providing through healthy food choices, your nerve system must be able to recognize this and provide the proper instructions for your body to get the
most benefit.  Have your family’s nerve systems checked at Stern Chiropractic, this area’s resource for Family Wellness.

Stick with the Basics

• Enjoy your food, but eat less. Avoid oversized portions.
• Make half your plate vegetables and fruits.
• Make at least half your grains whole grains and avoid processed white flour.
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk or none at all – green leafy vegetables are a great source of calcium and magnesium.
• Read Labels – choose lower sodium and lower saturated fat items
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks (soda, energy drinks, sports drinks  …).
• Avoid artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup

______________________________________________________________________

Stern Chiropractic is Collecting Books for Kids in Need!

In efforts to support Page it Forward, a summer-long celebration of reading spearheaded by the United Way of Lake County in partnership with Bernie’s Book Bank, Stern Chiropractic will be collecting new and used children’s book.  Books can be dropped off at Stern Chiropractic during our regular business hours (we suggest you call first)  from now – 9/9/11.

 Our expertise will improve your family’s Quality of Life!

Call Stern Chiropractic to schedule your family’s health evaluation TODAY!

I hope you have enjoyed our newsletter. If you know someone this may help, please share it.  This small act of sharing can have profound effects for generations to come.

Like Stern Chiropractic on Facebook and see health and wellness articles posted on a regular basis.

Hi All,

August is here and I hope you all have been keeping cool during this exceptionally hot summer.   Along with the end of summer, August also means the kids will be headed back to school soon.

Ensure Your Children Return to School Healthy & Performing at their Highest Potential

In addition to requiring periodic back-to-school physicals and eye exams many schools are now requiring periodic back-to-school dental exams as well.  These are all great things to promote good health but let me ask you: Is there anything else that can be done to promote higher levels of health, focus and attention and performance?  The answer is YES!  If you would like your child to be healthier, have better focus and perform better in school, sports and their other activities the first step is to make sure the system of the body that controls these functions is healthy and working properly.

What system controls these functions and everything else your body does?  The NERVE SYSTEM.  Yes, the brain, spinal cord and all the nerves are the information super highway that controls everything your body does.

How Do You Check the Health of Your Nerve System – whereas a neurologist checks for pathology in the nerve system, a Chiropractor is the only doctor trained to assess the functional health of the nerve system and restore this health where necessary.  In this case, for your children, a Pediatric Chiropractor (look for Diplomate in Pediatrics indicating board certified specialist) would be the professional you want.

A Pediatric Chiropractor will do a non-invasive evaluation of your child’s nerve system and determine if there is any “road construction on their information super highway”, this is called subluxation.  In our office we use NASA approved technology to enhance the quality, accuracy and reproducibility of the evaluation.

What Causes Nerve System Interference – The same way sugar causes decay in your teeth, S T R E S S causes decay in your nerve system.  Stress comes in 3 forms: Chemical (meds, junk food, white flour, white sugar …), Physical (poor posture, lack of exercise, heavy backpacks…) and Mental/Emotional and all impact your nerve system in the same way.  If the accumulation of stress is more than your body can handle, like the fuse box in your home during a storm, your body will blow fuses (subluxation).  These blown fuses are the road construction on the information super highway blocking important messages your body is sending related to your body functions.

How is Subluxation (Nerve System Interference) Corrected? – After an evaluation to determine if your child is subluxated and where, a Pediatric Chiropractor will provide SAFE and GENTLE adjustments to clear the subluxation and allow your child’s body to heal itself and function at its highest level

Since the nerve system controls everything your body does, subluxations can affect any of your body functions i.e.

By restoring your child’s proper nerve system function, his/her body will be able to heal itself and function at its HIGHEST & GREATEST CAPACITY!

____________________________________________________________

Heavy Backpacks – What Can You DO?

School-age children SHOULD NOT HAVE NECK AND BACK PAIN.  If they do have these pains, there is something wrong and it should be corrected before it causes a lifelong problem (could this have been a contributor to your current aches and pains?).

Backpacks have emerged as an escalating health and safety issue.  In fact, the majority of school-age children carry backpack loads that are too heavy for their developing bodies.  If children are carrying too much weight on their backs and shoulders they may stretch or strain their muscles causing injury and curvature of the spine.  Studies have shown that long exposures to heavy backpacks can cause spinal pain that becomes chronic in nature and affects ALL activities of daily living.  Heavy or improperly worn backpacks promote abnormal posture development and can possibly cause or accelerate structural spinal abnormalities such as scoliosis.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that in 1999, approximately 6,174 emergency room visits were a result of spinal injuries stemming from heavy backpacks and in the year 2000, the use of heavy book bags and carriers resulted in more than 6,500 injuries.  THIS IS A PROBLEM.  This increase in back pain amongst children isn’t surprising when you consider the disproportionate amount of weight they carry in their backpacks (often slung over just one shoulder).  According to a recent study, the average child carries a backpack that would be the equivalent of a 39-pound burden for a 176-pound man or a 29-pound load for a 132-pound woman.  Of those children carrying heavy backpacks to school, 60% had experienced back pain as a result.  Other studies have shown that slinging backpacks over one shoulder can exacerbate the curvature of the spine in scoliosis patients.

What Can We Do?

- Healthy children get injured less than unhealthy children – Proper diet, supplementation, exercise, restorative rest & a Healthy Nerve System will give your child his/her best defense against heavy backpacks.

- Make sure your child’s backpack weighs no more than 5-10% of his/her body weight.

- Use both shoulder straps.  Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and back muscle spasm, pain and possible alteration of spinal curvature.

- Wide, padded straps are very important.  Non-padded straps are uncomfortable and can dig into your child’s shoulders.

- The backpack should be worn higher up on the back between the shoulder blades.

- The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline.  A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders pulling the child backward and causing him/her to lean forward when walking.

- Observe your child’s posture.  If the child leans forward while walking, takes shorter strides while walking or uses his/her hands to protect the shoulders from the straps, it is an indication the backpack is too heavy.

- A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively.  Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child’s back.

- Bigger is not better.  The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry – and the heavier the backpack will be.

- If the backpack is too heavy:

- Take out anything that is not ABSOLUTELY needed

- Instead of taking all notebooks home carry only what is needed for that evening in 1 homework folder.

- Closely look at what your child is carrying and then talk to your child’s teacher.  Ask if your child could leave the heaviest books at school, and bring home only lighter hand-out materials or workbooks…

Note: Proper Nerve System and Spinal Health are VITAL for children to avoid early onset of damage and degeneration caused by the chemical, physical and mental emotional stressors in their lives (including heavy backpack).  Schedule a Nerve System and Spinal Health evaluation with a Pediatric Chiropractor for your children TODAY!

Our expertise will improve your family’s Quality of Life!

Call Stern Chiropractic to schedule your family’s health evaluation

TODAY!

I hope you have enjoyed our newsletter.  If you know someone this may help, please share it.  This small act of sharing can have profound effects for generations to come.

Stern Chiropractic on Facebook and see health and wellness articles posted on a regular basis.

 As we celebrate our Independence I encourage you to take a closer look at what you are “dependent” on.

Do you use certain foods to sooth you?  Do you plop down in front of the TV to ease your end-of-the-day STRESS?  Do you “need” drugs to help you go to sleep, manage your stress and mood?  Do you ever leave your comfort zone socially, professionally or financially?

There is no time like the present to claim your INDEPENDENCE mentally, physically, spiritually, socially, emotionally, financially, professionally and in your relationships.

“You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action. “
            – Anthony Robbins -

How can you “win” you independence?

Steps to Reclaiming Your Independence

1.   You must be motivated to change.
              a.   Create a written list of the reasons you want to make change
- The reasons must be meaningful and motivating to you
b.   Involve others so they may support and encourage you
c.   Reward yourself along the way for your successful efforts

“Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself and dares to become involved with experimenting with his own life.”
 —Herbert Otto                                                                                                                         

“We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are”.
- Max De Pree                                                                                                                            

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”
–     Lao Tzu                                                                                                                                

2.   Determine what you want to change

The following is a wonderful tool for determining which aspects of your life are “out-of-balance” and require attention:

a.   Make a list of the different aspects of your life i.e.

 i.    Health

1.   Nerve System Health
2.   Diet
3.   Supplementation
4.   Exercise
5.   Restorative Rest
6.   Stress Management

                                ii.    Relationships

1.   with Self
2.   Spouse
3.   Children
4.   Family
5.   Friends
6.   Work

                               iii.    Professional/Business

 iv.    Financial

1.   Current Lifestyle
2.   Retirement
3.   College Planning

                               v.    Spiritual

Create as many categories and sub-categories as you can and don’t be afraid to go back and add more as you need.

b.   Rate each category on a scale of 0-5 how satisfied you are with it (0 = Completely Unsatisfied and 5 = Completely Satisfied) (Start with categories that have sub-categories i.e. Health above)

                                 i.    Health

1.   Nerve System Health                4
2.   Diet                                              2
3.   Supplementation                      3
4.   Exercise                                      3
5.   Restorative Rest                        5
6.   Stress Management Tools       2

 c.   Like on a bicycle wheel, each category will be a spoke.  Draw a circle then draw a spoke out from the center representing the 0-5 rating for each item.

d.   Connect the ends to see how full and balanced the sub-categories are.  Does it overlap the surrounding circle or is it out of balance?

Example Assessment:
Areas to spend more time working on: Diet, Stress Management
Areas that do not need as much extra attention: Rest & Nerve System

e. Repeat this exercise for the main categories of your life

 Now you can see which areas of your life need the most work and then you can refer to the sub-category mapping to see what you are going to work on in those categories.

3.   Have a plan – The above mapping technique should provide you with a solid foundation on what you need to work on and where to start.  Now, create a plan to make change

4.   Evaluate your progress – Set goals for each area of change and monitor

5.   Make course corrections as needed

Tune In, Turn On, Accept Responsibility and Take Control!

 Our expertise will improve your family’s Quality of Life!

Call Stern Chiropractic to schedule your family’s health evaluation

TODAY!

I hope you have enjoyed our newsletter.  If you know someone this may help, please share it.  This small act of sharing can have profound effects for generations to come.

Like Stern Chiropractic on Facebook and see health and wellness articles posted on a regular basis.

June is here even though it may only feel like spring.  With that in mind, have you done your “Spring Cleaning”? (Make sure to read all the way to the bottom, you will find important information on  addressing the pesticides on you produce issue on the front page of today’s  Chicago Tribune).

Spring  time brings with it the idea of renewal and a fresh start.  Many think about clearing out all the junk  that has accumulated over the last year.   Clearing out the “junk” can be applied on many levels and I encourage  you to do some “Spring Cleaning” for your health!

What  does this mean?

For  example, I awaken each morning early to exercise, stretch, do my daily affirmations & visualizations and meditate.   This is followed by juicing veggies for breakfast, hugs and kisses from  the family and my morning nutritional supplements.  This daily “Hour of
Power” puts me in a great mental and physical place to start each day on  the right foot and helps me to manage the daily stressors better.  I get my nerve system checked regularly to
continue to enhance my highest level of health and practice Kundalini Yoga four  times per week for enhanced physical, spiritual & mental emotional health.

To  kick things up a notch I just finished a 10 day juice fast to detox and cleans my system.

You  need not do what I do hence the following are the main concepts.  Take these thoughts and run with them.  Take small steps each day toward greater  health and well-being and you will not need as many major “Spring Cleanings.”

Spring Cleaning for Your Health

Clean-up your Nutrition – We all know that fast food, junk food,  white flour, white sugar, soda and processed foods are not good for us.  Find some fresh vegetables and fruit you like and slowly start to replace the junk.  Take a high quality multivitamin, fish oils, vitamin D3 and Probiotics daily (Stern Chiropractic caries only
high quality products & Dr. Stern can help create a supplementation regimen
appropriate for you and your family).

Clean-up your Exercise – Movement is life!  Poor posture & sedentary lifestyles are your biggest physical stressors.  Find  activities/exercise that you enjoy and do it regularly.  Stern  Chiropractic can provide you with specific exercises to help enhance your posture.

Clean-up your Sleep Habits – Sleep is a time of rest, healing and  rejuvenation.  Make sure you get enough  “Restorative Rest” each day.  Lack of  restorative rest can be a major cause of ADD/ADHD symptoms.

Clean-up your Stinkin’ Thinkin’ – Most people spend their day beating  themselves up i.e. that was stupid, how could I do that, what was I thinking … If anyone else spoke to you the way you speak to yourself, you would kill  them!  Write and recite daily  affirmations to support yourself in strong and noble thought.  Become the person you can love and learn to  love yourself.

Tune-In to Yourself and the World Around You – Before you can  connect with others and the world around you, you must connect with yourself.  Know what is going on in your own mind and  body.  Daily meditation, being the watcher  of your own mind and actions – valuate your thoughts and actions from a 3^rd party perspectives.  Are they congruent  with your beliefs?  If not, it’s time to make some changes.

Get Your Nerve System Checked Regularly for Subluxation – Your nerve system
controls everything your body does.  You  cannot continue to improve your health if your nerve system is not  healthy.  Excess chemical, physical  and/or mental/emotional stress causes your nerve system to blow fuses like the  fuse box in your home.  Take care of your
nerve system and get regular nerve system check-ups at Stern Chiropractic.

 Our expertise will  improve your family’s Quality of Life!

Call Stern Chiropractic to schedule your family’s health evaluation TODAY!

I hope you have enjoyed our newsletter.   If you know someone this may help, please share it.  This small act of sharing can have profound  effects for generations to come.

Stern Chiropractic on Facebook and see  health and wellness articles posted on a regular basis.

The front page of today’s (6/1/11) Chicago Tribune: Cilantro Laden  with Pesticides.  Many of our fruits and  vegetables are covered in dangerous pesticides that do not wash off by simply  cleaning them with soap and water.  The  following is an easy way to remove pesticides from your produce and should be  used for all non-organic fruits and vegetables that are not pealed before eating.  Please pass this on to your  friends and loved ones.

Clorox  Bleach Bath  (must use Clorox)

• ½  teaspoon of old fashion Clorox bleach to one gallon of tap water.

-  If your sink holds 6 gallons of water, take 3 tsps of Clorox bleach

• Fill up the sink and soak for 10-20 minutes.
• Here is the important part. After you soak your vegetables drain the water, Rinse  he vegetables and the sink, and then fill it up again with clean water.
• Soak for  another 10 minutes.

NOTE: At low levels bleach is benign and with rinsing there is no need for concern.   You will  be surprised at how fresh your vegetables look, how much longer they stay  crisp, and how much better they taste.