The holidays are here! It's a season of family, friends, celebrations, but unfortunately, it is also a time known for cold weather, added stress, and illness. There is going to be an added chance for illness and stress around the holidays- and there's no way around that- but there are ways to help reduce that stress and chance of illness.
What can YOU do to stay healthy?
-Wash your hands
-Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and nutrient rich foods
-Exercise
-Drink plenty of water
-Get enough sleep
You don't have to do this alone, though. A Therapeutic Effect is here to help you stay healthy throughout the holiday season and the whole year.
How can WE help you stay healthy?
1) Chiropractic Care- Even though it is a busy time of year, it's important to keep up with your regular chiropractic adjustments. Regular chiropractic care can help your immune system stay strong and function optimally. Chiropractic care corrects misalignments in the spine where it interferes with the nerves communicating to the rest of the body. Since nerves communitcate to your entire body, there are a large number of pains, ailments, and disorders that chiropractic care can help- including immune system function. The goal of chiropractic care is to return your body to it's optimally functiong condition so it can heal itself. When your body is functioning properly, your immune system doesn't have to work as hard and it can work to fight off illness.
Here's a little bit of history for you: In 1918, there was a horrible flu pandemic known as the Spanish Flu. This flu took the lives of 20-40 million peopel worldwide. Although this crisis was devastating, it is labeled as one of the reasons the chiropractic profession is around and thriving today. The chiropractic profession was young and not widely known or practiced in 1918. When the flu broke out in the United States, people were dying and medical doctors did not know how to stop it. Chiropractors started going door to door and adjusting people who had the flu. Everyone started to notice that the flu patients who were being adjusted weren't dying!
In Davenport, Iowa, medical doctors treated 4,953 cases of the flu and 274 people died. In the same city, chiropractors treated 1,635 cases and only 1 person died. There are many other impressive statistics which prove the effectiveness of chiropractic care during this pandemic. When your body is functioning optimally, your immune function is increased and you can more effectively fight off a number of illnesses.
2) Massage Therapy- Massage therapy should not be seen as just a luxury or a way to treat yourself. It has many beneficial effects on your health. Aside from relieving sore muscles, massage therapy can help reduce your stress. Keeping your stress down is very important to keeping yourself healthy. Getting a massage can help to lower your heart rate and blood pressure, relax your muscles, and increase endorphins- your body's "feel good" chemical. Serotonin and dopamine are also released and this can create a feeling of calm and relaxation which can help you overcome chronic or habitual stress, as well as acute or short-term stress.
3) Nutritional and Exercise Guidance- Based on your personal needs, Dr. Andrew can provide you with nutritional advice and exercises that are best for your body and conditions that you might be dealing with.
Take care of yourself this holiday season! There are things that you can do for yourself, but there are many ways A Therapeutic Effect can help, as well. It is a very busy time and a time to think about others, but remember: You can't pour from an empty cup!