The Chiropractic Adjustment – What to Expect

A chiropractic adjustment can work wonders for your health and well-being.  Are you planning on having a chiropractic adjustment? If so, you are likely to see improvement to your health and well-being by doing so. The key, though, is ensuring that you have an appropriate level of expectation for healing.  What can you expect to happen?

During the Treatment

A typical adjustment will occur with you are lying face down on a specially designed table. The area of concern is often the target for the adjustment, but linked areas of the body may also be treated. In short, the chiropractor uses just his or her hands to apply sudden, but controlled, force to the joints or areas in need. This will push the joint beyond what it normally moves in, and you may hear a cracking sound. There are many different methods used, some of which can be less forceful.

Recommendation of More Help
In addition to the adjustment, many chiropractors will use or recommend additional therapies to treat the underlying condition causing the problem.
• They may recommend the use of exercise or rest, depending on the needs of the body.
• The use of heat and ice on the affected areas can also be helpful.
• Some use electrical stimulation as a way to get a response from the body, in a very controlled environment.
• They may recommend changes to your lifestyle including improvements in your health, weight and habits.
• The use of natural herbs and supplements are recommended in some situations.
Talk to your chiropractor about what to expect if you remain concerned. Chances are good you will see success.

Herbs and Supplements to Boost Immune Response

Herbs can work very well to boost your immune system’s response. Here’s a short primer to the ones that can help you the most.

Did you know that you could improve your body’s overall health and the immune system’s function by using herbs and supplements? It is always best to give your body all of the nutrients it needs to perform well, and doing this through the food you eat is critical. However, there is more to it than just that. In fact, many people find that to get improvement to their immune system, they need to focus specifically on herbs and supplement use.
The following are some of the most frequently considered as the best herbs for overall immune system improvement. Consider adding these to your diet or using them on a regular basis.
• Aloe Vera has a moderate immune system response. Aloe Vera can help to stimulate healing from burns and other inflammations.
• Garlic is a great herb to add to your diet on a regular basis. It does have strong infection fighting abilities and it can help to reduce your risk of developing some forms of cancer. It is also a good way to boost heart health.
• Probiotics are getting a lot of attention recently and with good reason. These are good bacteria that, when used regularly, can stimulate the immune system to fight off bad bacteria in the body.
Take into consideration how well your body fights off illness right now. If you want to boost your healing abilities, turn to natural supplements and herbs that are safe for you to eat and use. Chances are good you will see results.

Little-Known Facts About Folate

It is well-known by now that pregnant women benefit from folic acid, which is why many prenatal vitamins tend to include about 1 mg. of this supplement. Doctors often recommend even more for women who have had miscarriages before. However, what the body really needs is folate, which is the more natural alternative to folic acid. Before you select the best prenatal vitamin, consider a few new facts you might not know, as researchers have recently discovered some helpful information regarding folate.

Folate is found naturally in the body, but there are plenty of ways that people deplete their original levels. For example, oral contraceptives tend to reduce the levels of folate in the body, and many women take these for years. Drinking alcohol frequently, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and ingesting anti-convulsants can also all lead to low levels of folate in the body.

The result of low folate levels is pregnancy complications, including a higher chance of miscarriage. Some pregnancies in mothers with low folate levels are plagued by preterm labor or preeclampsia, both of which can be dangerous for the baby. Neural tube defects, including spina bifida, may also result from insufficient folate. For this reason, women are encouraged to take supplements of this nutrient for at least four months before conceiving. If the pregnancy was not planned, you can still reduce your chances of these medical problems by taking supplements during pregnancy.

It is not always as easy as taking a folic acid pill, or selecting a prenatal vitamin with folic acid. While of course this is better than nothing, it is not the most effective way to add folate to the body. Folic acid is the shelf-stable, synthetic version of folate. It is easy to put in a pill, but it is considered a foreign substance to the body, which means it needs to be metabolized before it can be properly absorbed. Therefore, you are encouraged to get folate from folate itself, not a synthetic version of it.

The good news is that now you can, as scientists have discovered L-methylfolate, which is the natural, active form of folate. It is recognized by the body so that it can be easily metabolized, allowing you to get maximum benefits fast. This substance can be found in some newer prenatal vitamins, though it will likely be included in the majority once its benefits are known by more manufacturers. Therefore, you are encouraged to try a prenatal vitamin that contains L-methylfolate instead of folic acid.

(Thanks flequi for the great belly shot)

Answers to Five Common Dental Questions That Affect Healthy Living

Do you have questions for your dentist? Before you go, find out if yours is one of these common inquiries.

As any dentist and he or she will tell you that some questions are asked on an almost daily, if not hourly basis. Before you go, read this list to get some of yours answered, and to help you take better care of your teeth to promote better overall health.

Do I have to floss daily?

Absolutely. Flossing controls the bacteria that can cause gum disease, but not only that, can lead to lung disease, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and even pre-term labor for pregnant women. Rinsing with a mouthwash, although helpful, is not going to be as affective as flossing.
Is tooth whitening healthy?

Tooth whitening is not helpful nor is it harmful to your health. Instead, it is a cosmetic procedure designed to lighten the teeth. Those who ask this are typically asking about whether or not the process is going to harm their teeth or overall physical health. When used in moderation, it is not going to cause any permanent damage. It may cause gum irritation, and over use can damage the enamel.

What can I do for my chronic bad breath?

One of the best tips you follow do if you are already taking care of your teeth and gums is to brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper daily. Over a period of about two weeks, this should lessen the bad breath problems. If it does not, you may need to visit your dentist, because there could be some underlying decay causing the problem.

Do bleeding gums mean I have gum disease?

This is one of the leading signs of gum disease, but it may not be the case. You might be brushing or flossing too had, or you might be taking a medication that can increase your risk for bleeding gums. But it is best to see your dentist if you notice this problem to rule out any diseases.

Top Dental Innovations That May Soon Affect You

When you go to the dentist the next time, you may notice some changes around the office. These dental innovations are becoming more and more common!

The world of dentistry may not seem as complex as the medical health world, but it does see its fair share of innovations and changes. Some of the newest ones are positive changes that can directly affect you, particularly if you are dealing with some of the common dental signs of aging, such as tooth loss and decay.

One new innovation is the treatment of tooth decay using air abrasion. This treatment uses a fine spray of aluminum oxide power to remove dental decays without a drill and often without local anesthesia. This is much quicker than a traditional filling, and it works well on teeth with early decay. Dentists can often fill in the area with filling materials that match the tooth color, making it a good choice for visible teeth, like those in the front.

Dental lasers to treat gum disease and tooth decay are another innovation. These offer precision and a painless removal of dental decay. It can also be used to remove diseased gum tissue. This is not yet a common mode of treatment, but you may see it start spreading as it dentists become more and more comfortable with the ideal of laser treatment.

The use of digital x-rays is a final innovation. This allows dentists to diagnose problems much more quickly. It also cuts down on the amount of paperwork and file storage space needed in a dental office, because the dentist can store all of the images on a computer disk or hard drive. This can make sharing images easier if you have to change dental practitioners as well, making it an innovation that can benefit you as the patient as well as your dental office.

The Importance of Vacations

In the hustle and bustle of every day life, it often seems like there are a million and one things pulling us in different directions. It may occasionally feel like days are dragging by slowly, but weeks and months are passing quicker than you can count. This often means that we are not taking the proper time to slow down and relax. Stress levels rise whether or not we take notice and one day, we can find ourselves beyond the limit of what we can physically and emotionally handle.

Many people avoid vacations because they cost money and take time away from work and other important responsibilities. However, it is important to keep in mind that those responsibilities will be better served by an individual that is well rested and relaxed. If it helps, you can consider the time and money spent on a vacation as a sort of investment into your current and future productivity.

It has been shown that vacations promote a lot of good things such as increased creativity and productivity, better outlook on life, and overall improved health and wellness. Overall well-being, personal relationships, satisfaction with your job, job performance, and stress relief are also promoted by taking a break from reality. Vacations also reduce bad and harmful things in your life such as staving off burnout and preventing stress levels from building up to dangerous levels.

Whether you can sneak away for a day or two or an entire month, taking a vacation is an important investment in your personal well-being and will pay off with benefits in nearly every facet of your life.

How Can We Afford Not to Take a Vacation?

How Can We Afford Not to Take a Vacation?

When most people think of relaxing on a sunny beach near sandy waters with their cell phone and laptop far, far away from their beach towel, one of two reactions usually occur: we either dread the thought of that all-inclusive resort bill or we worry about the time we spend away from work.

While all-inclusive resorts halfway around the world can be expensive, there is no real need to drop a small fortune on a vacation in order to reap the benefits. Simply taking a weekend getaway in a neighboring bed & breakfast in a community nearby can help you rest and recharge your batteries for the work week ahead. Family vacations can be expensive, but there are plenty of ways to watch your money and travel during off-season in order to get the best flight and hotel prices.

Don’t worry. Work will survive without you. And if you decide to head out for a weekend with the girls (or guys), your family will survive without you as well. Not to say that you aren’t an important facet of their smooth functioning, but your job and family will actually function better if you are well-rested and healthy.

As such, you may want to look at the vacation time you have accrued at your job and consider taking a little time away for yourself. Your productivity, efficiency, outlook, relationships, and overall health will benefit dramatically from regular time that allows you to de-stress and enjoy life. Oh, and don’t forget to leave your cell phones and laptops far behind at home.