Learning Library Blog

Gearing Up For Golf

Twenty-two million Americans of all ages, shapes, sizes and ages play golf.  The pros make it look easy, but golf can be hard on your body, especially your back.  “Golf-related injuries send thousands of people to emergency rooms every year.”  (source: Mayo Clinic Health Letter) What can you do to help minimize your risk of injury? Don’t hit the course cold.  Build in a 10 to 15 minute warm-up that includes walking, stretching, swinging, chipping and putting. See your chiropractor at the beginning and regular intervals during the season.  Chiropractic care can reduce your risk for injury by increasing spinal flexibility and optimizing muscle reflexes and performance through an interference-free nervous system and pain-free spine. If you want to take it a step further, consider the benefits of a year round fitness program that includes strength, overall flexibility, and cardio-vascular exercise suited to your own special needs. Happy golfing….may all your drives be long, and your putts short.

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Will Orthotics Help Me?

A simple, but precise screening and evaluation by a specially trained orthotics professional, usually a chiropractor, orthopedic or podiatrist, will help determine if orthotics can help you. An accurate fit is essential to the success of any orthotic device.  The process starts with a cast of your foot using a soft foam mold to produce an exact impression of your foot.  Since every foot is different a customized orthotic will have a more exact fit and result than a one-size-fits-all product. The orthotics a lot of patients prefer are flexible and insert easily into a fully enclosed shoe.  They are made of durable plastic, with a foam layer and ultra suede cover for cushion and comfort. While the costs are reasonable, in some cases a portion may be covered by insurance and the benefits are well worth it. Consider so of these red flag indicators and contact your health professional if you feel there is a possible link. Do you stand or walk for more than 4 hours a day? Have you had a knee or back injury? Do your shoes wear unevenly? Is one of your legs shorter than the other? Do you have obvious foot problems, (bunions, corns or flat feet)? Are you suffering from chronic knee, hip or back pain?  

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A Cup Here, a Cup There

Eating fiber-rich fruits and vegetables in the right amounts for your age, sex, and level of physical activity will help maintain a healthy body and good digestive health.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now offer guidelines in cups rather than number of servings, as they did previously, so you can better understand portion sizes. 9 Ways to Meet Your Needs Try it raw Make your own yogurt toppers (berries, low fat granola) Eat fiber-filled fruit with breakfast (yummy idea- try atop pancakes or waffles) Excite your eggs with chopped vegetables Switch “sides” (skip fries for a tossed salad) Add vegetables to pasta Pick better pizza toppings Dish up the dried fruit (great snacks for on the run) In a pinch, frozen is fine.

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Clear Out the Clutter

Keeping your home clean and free of clutter is a key component top healthy living.  Clutter builds up quickly; most people don’t even realize that they’re pack rates rats until they start going through closets and realize they have shoes they haven’t worn in decades or piles of newspapers dating back to 2000! If this is you, it’s time to declutter your home.  Remember the old adage “Cluttered home, cluttered mind?”  Rejuvenate your peace and well-being by vowing to clear up the clutter.  To decide whether something is worth keeping or not: Go room by room, tidying each room  completely before moving on. Establish zones or boxes for trash, recycling, charity, sentimental or monetary value and undecided items. If an item is going into the sentimental box, ask yourself what you plan to do with it.  Will you give it to your children or a friend?  Is it really worth keeping?  For example, do you think your child will want your fifth-grade report card? If you think an item has monetary value, consider having it appraised.  You may learn it has none, or you might decide to sell it for some extra cash! For items in the undecided box give yourself a deadline.  If you do nothing with the items by your next decluttering session (say, in three to six months), consider tossing or donating them to charity. Remember, coming home to a clean and clutter-free space will leave you feeling calm and relaxed.  Embrace the concept – you’ll be glad you did.

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