Migraines

Migraines are one of the world's most pervasive neurological disorders. Billions of people suffer from them worldwide, including 13% of US adults. 90% of the 38 million Americans who suffer from migraines each year say that migraines compromise their ability to work or even function normally. Migraines are diagnosed based on symptoms and medical history.  The root cause of this disease is very challenging pin point. 

In prior years migraine sufferers relied solely on rescue drugs that they could take once symptoms were already in place. These kinds of treatments were often only a temporary fix. Studies indicate that migraines are often triggered by pollutants, toxins, pollen or other allergens, even certain foods; different things can be a trigger for different people. Today there are things people can do to prevent migraines. Experts recommend keeping a diary to try and pin point what triggers your migraines. Focusing on lifestyle changes are also very helpful, although we cannot eliminate all triggers, this is a good place to start. Two of the most common things research says to do is stay hydrated and get rest. 

An addition to lifestyle changes to help prevent or reduce migraines is yoga. Yoga can help you relax and relieve some stress which can also contribute to migraines. Some studies also have shown that acupuncture another alternative to help give relief to these types of headaches. Another alternative form medicine to help prevent migraines is chiropractic care. Recent studies have shown chiropractic care to help relieve migraine intensity as well as frequency. One study found that 22 percent of people who had chiropractic treatment reported experiencing 90 percent less headaches. That same study found that 49 percent of participants had a reduction in pain intensity. 

To find out more ways to keep yourself healthy, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com.

Sources:

http://migraineresearchfoundation.org/about-migraine/migraine-facts/

https://migraine.newlifeoutlook.com/chiropractic-migraines/

https://experiencelife.com/article/how-to-prevent-migraines/

Healthy Drinks For The Summer

It's getting warmer again and the sun is getting hotter.  We all know that when the temperatures go up we have to stay hydrate and drink more liquids.  Yet not all drinks are created equal and some actually do you more harm than good.  So to stay cool and hydrated this summer, we've created a list of some of the most popular drinks, their risks, and their benefits.

Water

Our bodies are 60% water, so it's important to replenish our water by drinking water.  While this may seem like a simple fact, it's harder than most people think.  We lose water with every breathe we take, every time we sweat, and each time we use the bathroom.  All health professionals agree that drinking plenty of water is essential to health, but the recommend amount varies between sources.  Currently, the most clinically supported recommendation is about 9-13 cups daily (2.2-3L). 

So when you're out and about this spring and summer, make sure you pack a water bottle or two to keep hydrated and healthy.

Juice

Natural fruit juices are a great alternative to water when they are in their purest form.  Things like watermelon (which is 90% water), oranges, grapefruit, and other melons can all help to keep us hydrated.  The negative of drinking juice is the added sugar to make them sweet.  Sugar is linked to obesity and other health risks when consumed in large quantities.  If you were to consume 9-13 cups of juice in replacement of water, you would be consuming 207-299g of sugar based on an average of 23 g of sugar per cup of juice.  The recommended daily sugar intake is roughly 25g, making this a very unhealthy way to stay hydrated.

We recommend that if juice is the way you want to keep cool, try to limit your consumption to 100% pure fruit juice without added sugar.  This will help to replenish your body without a huge sugar rush.

Soda

A study performed by Harvard School of Public Health has reported that consuming pop not only has little nutritional value, but can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and chronic health conditions.  They found that diabetes and heart attack risk increased by 20-26% in people who drank 1 to 2 cans of pop a day.  Another study found that men and women who regularly drink a can of pop a day increased their risk of autoimmune conditions like gout by 75%.  Other health concerns with drinking soda pop is the high levels of phosphates, which can have a negative effect on bones both in adults and in growing children.

Overall, knowing the health risks that come with these sugary drinks and that it does little to keep you hydrated compared to water and natural fruit juices, it is not a recommended regular beverage to keep you cool during the long summer days.

Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are great at replenishing our electrolytes and keeping us hydrated, especially when exercising or being active.  It is often the drink of choice when doing work out in the sun, playing sports, or being otherwise active.  Still, for those of us that enjoy the outdoors via a lawn chair or floating in the pool these drinks and their added perks aren't any more beneficial than water.  Still, they are great for hydration after a hard sweat.

Energy Drinks

Caffeine has had a bad rep as a dehydrator in popular culture.  The belief was that because caffeine acts as a diuretic, which increases urination, it dehydrates you more than it hydrates.  That is long since been found to be clinically false, making energy drinks okay to drink on a long, hot day.  Like juice, due to the size of most energy drinks, their caffeine content, and added sugars it is not recommended solely drink energy drinks to stay hydrated this summer.  It is best to have one or two of these a day, drinking water to replenish your body the rest of the way. 

Alcohol

Alcohol dehydrates.  It's as simple as that.  While there are plenty of fun summer drinks that contain alcohol, it is best to limit your consumption.  If you are going to be out in the sun and drinking, it is recommended to have one cup of water for every alcoholic drink you consume to replace the water you are losing. 

For more information on this and other health and wellness tips visit our website at:

www.oxborochiro.com

Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/healthy-beverages
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/soft-drinks-and-disease/

Exercise Your Brain

Did you know that when you exercise it isn’t just good for your body,  it is the brain that benefits from it as well. The reason we feel so good while working out is because we get our blood pumping and with that the brain functions at its best. Exercise can help with alertness and how we perceives things. When exercising the brain releases serotonin which is what influences our mood, impulse, anger and even aggression. It also releases dopamine which is what we use for attention and learning.

Our brains are more active when our bodies are more active; this makes the neurons fire in unison which creates our brain waves. Keeping active and exercising can help your brain with memory and even help with creativity and imagination. Studies show that people who have mental illness and who exercise can manage it without medications. Even though taking a run can be like taking a bit of Prozac, not everyone can benefit from this type of mental health help. Exercise can also help the brain balance hormones. MRI scans have shown that while someone is doing a stationary bike ride it can make your glutamate and game-aminobutyric acid swell and that will help with your mood. So if you keep up the exercising you should be able to keep your brain young, happy and healthy. Learning new motor skills is another way to keep our brain sharp. So if you are learning more complicated motor skills; it will challenge the brain.To find out more ways to keep yourself healthy, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com.

Source: https://experiencelife.com/article/this-is-your-brain-on-exercise/

Good Body Mechanics For Gardening

If you plan on gardening this spring here are some little things to keep in mind with your body mechanics. 

Gardening can be very physically and mentally therapeutic. Physically it can burn up to 340 calories an hour while also mentally unwinding. It is very important to use proper body mechanics when you are doing gardening tasks. Lifting and pulling weeds can really cause damage to the body if not done properly. Using good body mechanics can reduce the risk of injury. So I will give some insight on some things that you can do to reduce the risk and make gardening a delightful experience. You should take 5-10 minutes to stretch and warm up muscles especially the hamstrings,quadriceps, back and the shoulders. Try not to do too many repetive moves such as bending and twisting which can increase strains on the muscles and joints. If you can use a knee pad when kneeling that also helps to reduce risk of injury. Make sure to drink lots of water while you are you gardening. Always make sure you take the time to enjoy being outside in the sunshine and fresh air as that will help with your mind body and soul. If you use these tips you will have less injuries and have a beautiful garden. At any point while doing this if you feel too stressed or winded you should take a short break so insure you don't do any real damage to your muscles. Otherwise enjoy your gardening in the spring. To find out more ways to keep yourself healthy, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com.

http://physicaltherapyptc.com/good-body-mechanics-with-gardening

Intelligence and Emotions

Erin Gabriel writes in her article titled “Can you Improve Your Emotional Intelligence?” about the importance of being able to sense and manage feelings and emotions in ourselves and others. Having emotional intelligence allows someone to understand, express, and manage emotions. Many people tend to overestimate their emotional intelligence according to the director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Marc Brackett. Emotional intelligence can predict things such as health, happiness, and success. In 1990, the theory of emotional intelligence was developed at Yale and University of New Hampshire. Robin Stern, the associate director for the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, explains that emotional intelligence is being informed about your feelings, how to use emotions to inform thinking and using your thinking to inform your emotions. Some personality traits for those with emotional intelligence include empathy, seeing others viewpoints, being resilient, and pursuing goals even with challenges. Brackett states that people who possess emotional intelligence are typically healthier, happier, and more effective. Emotional intelligence has actually been proven to be a better indicator of success in careers than a high IQ score or an impressive resume. Emotional intelligence can be measured using self-assessment tools. 

There are several ways to increase emotional intelligence. Children can develop emotional intelligence at an early age by recognizing their emotions, figuring out what they mean, and label them so they can manage them themselves. For adults, an action plan can be implemented in order to improve emotional intelligence. If you want to learn to control your anger some activities that may be useful are yoga, meditation, or boxing. It is important to learn new perspectives through being around others who have different thoughts than you. This can be done by taking active steps to be around new people. When facing a challenging situation, it can be beneficial to pause, slow down, and take a deep breath in order to gain greater control. Positive self-talk is another important strategy for gaining greater emotional intelligence because it can assist with our health. Oftentimes, we would never talk to others the way that we speak to ourselves. Emotional intelligence can assist people in becoming healthier in their emotions and when working with others. To find out more ways to keep yourself healthy, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/11/health/improve-emotional-intelligence/index.html

Healthy Airport Snacks

The article “11 Things Nutritionist Eat at the Airport- and 4 They Avoid” discusses various healthy snacks to eat when spending time at the airport. It is easy to indulge in unhealthy temptations, but these habits can cause stomach issues or sugar crashes, according to Ginger Hultin, a RDN. When eating at the airport, it can actually be beneficial to bring items from home. Autumn Ehsaei, RDN, suggests bringing snap peas, mandarins, raw nuts, and trail mix. Within airports though, there are usually options for fresh fruits and vegetables. These items can provide fiber, water, and feelings of energy. 

Another snack that is healthy to eat while spending time in the airport is yogurt. Full fat yogurt can assist with keeping you full and for metabolism. If the yogurt is not full fat, Sydney Greene, RD, suggests grabbing a bag of raw nuts or a packet of nut butter. Not all yogurts are healthy choices though, especially given their sugar content, so it is important to look at the nutrition label. If you are craving something sweet, dark chocolate can be a nice option. It is filled with antioxidants and is best when it is at least 70-80% cocoa. Smoothies are a healthy airport snack because they are typically not filled with many calories. One tip from a naturopathic doctor, Luisa Szakacs, is to avoid ones with a “smoothie blend” because of the unnatural ingredients it can contain. If the ingredients include “natural flavorings” that is also something to avoid in smoothies. Nuts and seeds can provide protein, fat, and fiber for flights. Sodium intake should be monitored so unsalted nuts and seeds may be the best option when consuming this snack. Although nuts have many healthy components, they are high in fat and calories so portion control should be exercised. Other healthy protein sources that can keep you full at the airport include hard boiled eggs, chicken, and hummus.

Oatmeal is a snack that can keep you full during a flight due to the fiber it contains. Protein bars should have less than 10 grams of sugar and few ingredients. Salads are a healthy option for a meal at the airport. Some ingredients to avoid in salads include creamy dressings and crunchy noodles. Salads that contain vegetables, protein, beans, and dressing on the side are some of the best options. 

Each nutritionist that was interviewed for the article suggested drinking plenty of water because of the dehydration effect that flying can have. It is best to start the day with plenty of water and when in the airport bring a reusable bottle or buy a plastic one that you can refill often during the flight. Some foods to avoid while in flight include ones you are not used to, or high-risk options that may potentially lead to foodborne illnesses such as buffets, mayo-based or creamy salads, and raw seafood. Additional foods that should be avoided are ones that are salty such as chips and crackers and sugary foods that may lead to feelings of irritability and low energy. 

To find out more ways to keep yourself healthy, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com.

Source: http://time.com/5197380/food-nutritionists-eat-at-airport/

Tai Chi and Fibromyalgia

Alice Park discusses in her article titled, “Why Tai Chi Works So Well For Pain Relief”, about the benefits that can be gained from practicing tai chi for fibromyalgia or chronic pain. Tai chi is used to promote physical and psychological health. There is new research published in the British Medical Journal that suggests tai chi can be effective for managing fibromyalgia symptoms. Up until this point, there hasn’t been rigorous trials to suggest the benefits of tai chi for fibromyalgia. In this study, researchers observed 226 participants that had fibromyalgia. Participants were randomly assigned to an aerobic exercise routine or one of the four given tai chi sessions for the first 12 to 24 weeks. Measurements of pain and psychological effects were taken at the beginning of the study and at 12, 24, and 52 weeks. 

After participating in the exercise regimes of aerobic activity or tai chi, all participants reported a decrease in their fibromyalgia symptoms, but those practicing tai chi stated higher levels of improvement in their control of symptoms after 24 weeks. The measurements they observed were related to pain intensity, ability to function, fatigue, morning fatigue, depression, functioning at work, and sleep. Participants in the tai chi group that practiced the exercise for a longer period of time showed more improvement than those who did it only for a shorter period of time. Dr. Chenchen Wang, the director of the Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine at Tufts Medical Center, stated that the participants who were assigned to tai chi found it to be more enjoyable than the aerobic exercise and found benefits in the social aspect of the practice and ability to do it at home with friends and family. Dr. Wang suggests that these findings demonstrate that providers should find an exercise routine that fits the needs of their patients with fibromyalgia. 

Participants in both groups continued to take their prescribed medications but in that year, some were able to decrease their pain killers, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and other drugs. There were not enough participants to determine what exercise regime caused the largest reduction in medications. Dr. Wang believes tai chi is particularly helpful because it is both physical and psychological in nature. Some participants in the aerobic exercise group had to stop because of the strain from those suffering from chronic pain. Wang believes that since the results of this study shows improvement in symptoms when practicing tai chi for those with fibromyalgia, it may be able to help more people increase their quality of life if they partake in it. 

To find out more ways to keep yourself healthy, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com.

Source: http://time.com/5209233/tai-chi-chronic-pain/

Relaxation

Aviva Romm, MD discusses in her article titled “3 Healthier Stress Responses” about some techniques to change your body from stressed to calm. To get your body into a more relaxed state, it is necessary to activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which is the “rest and digest” system. It can be difficult to take the time to rest our bodies during stressful situations due to time constraints. If you take time to relax after a stressful experience, then it can lessen the effects of stress. The best approach is to incorporate a time of relaxation into our daily schedules, rather than only relaxing when stress occurs. Romm suggests setting up a nightly routine that activates the rest and digest system. This can be done by eating dinner approximately three hours before you go to bed in order for your body to digest all the nutrients from your meal and repair your body during sleep. Electronic devices should be turned off at least one hour before bed in order to avoid the emitted light that can keep the body and mind awake. Some additional techniques to activate the parasympathetic system include breathing deeply and slowly for at least five minutes, spending 30 minutes outdoors, taking a bath, going to yoga, and meditating for at least 10 minutes. 

Having strong relationships with others can also assist when you’re experiencing stress. Shelley Taylor, a UCLA researcher, calls this the “tend and befriend” stress response. During a time of threat, adrenaline and cortisol is released within the body, along with a small release of oxytocin. Oxytocin can help us feel connected to others. During Taylor’s research, they found that women are better able to ask for help during times of need. This could be due to evolution because when women were pregnant or caring for children long ago, they needed support from others to stay safe from predators. For men, they can also benefit from social relationships and with the fewer oxytocin receptors they possess, social interactions can go a long way for them. It can be easy to feel like we shouldn’t share our concerns with others, but doing something social and connecting with others can assist with relaxing our bodies. 

Having a “learner mindset” as detailed by Marilee Adams, PhD can help us face stressful situations by being curious rather than shutting down. We can become curious about our potentially stressful situation by asking questions and using it as a chance to learn something new. For example, if a person is being rude to you, you can pose the question to yourself about what may be going on in that person’s life that could be causing their behaviors. In doing so, it can lead to having more compassion on them before making judgments and becoming stressed. When developing a spirit of curiosity during these types of situations, it can assist you in possessing the best parts of stress, which include alertness, energy, and focus. Some of the questions Adams suggests asking yourself during these times include: “What’s really happening here, what else might be going on that I’m not seeing, and what’s interesting about this situation?”. To find out more ways to keep your mind and body healthy, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com/.

Source: https://experiencelife.com/article/3-healthier-stress-responses/

Safe Toothpaste

Dr. Mark Burhenne discusses in his article, “How to Avoid Toxins in Your Toothpaste: 12 Ingredients to Ditch Now”, about the importance of using non-toxic ingredients to brush your teeth. Burhenne is a dentist and discusses how most toothpastes have toxic ingredients in them and how they can potentially harm the body. Although you do not swallow toothpaste, the chemicals they contain can still irritate and infect the mucus membranes in the mouth. These chemicals can get into the bloodstream and disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria that is present in our mouths and even our stomachs. 

Below are a list of ingredients that should be avoided when choosing a toothpaste. Titanium dioxide is a chemical that gives toothpaste its white color, but it does not have any benefit for teeth. The Environmental Working Group, is concerned about titanium dioxide when it is inhaled because it could be a carcinogenic or even cause organ toxicity. Triclosan can be included in some toothpastes as an antibacterial agent, but animal studies have shown that it can cause endocrine disruption and create antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. The FDA currently has this ingredient banned in products such as soaps and body washes so Dr. Burhenne questions why it can still be used in toothpaste. Another ingredient found in toothpaste is sodium lauryl sulfate, which causes toothpaste to foam. This ingredient is actually used as an insecticide and has been shown to cause irritation and organ toxicity in the body. 

Fluoride is a common ingredient that is used in toothpaste and in dental offices. It is used to prevent cavities and helps remineralize the teeth. Fluoride has been shown to potentially cause acute toxicity, which manifests itself as nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Although fluoride is used to remineralize teeth, toothpaste does not contain enough fluoride to actually remineralize them. Dr. Burhenne does recommend that it is used in certain circumstances but not in over-the-counter toothpaste. Artificial dyes are another ingredient that is added to toothpaste, mostly to make visually appealing. This can be a harmful ingredient because it has been linked with hyperactivity and ADHD in kids. Parabens are a chemical used that can be used to make toothpaste last longer, but it has been known to disrupt hormones leading to a possible increase of breast cancer. Saccharin can be used as a flavoring agent and it is an artificial sweetener. In rats, it has shown to be a carcinogenic agent and it can cause coughing, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Carrageenan is used to thicken toothpaste but it can cause intestinal issues and has shown to cause inflammation and ulcerations in the colon in some animal studies. 

The following website shows instructions to make your own toothpaste that is free of potentially harsh chemicals commonly found in over-the-counter toothpaste: https://askthedentist.com/homemade-toothpaste/

To find out more ways to keep yourself healthy, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com. 

Source: https://experiencelife.com/article/safe-toothpaste/

Mentorship

In Joelle Klein’s article titled, “The Value of Mentoring”, she discusses how mentoring another person can be a valuable experience. Mentoring is typically implemented in schools, universities, places of employment, religious organizations, and youth programs. Mentoring does not necessarily have to take place between a mentor who is older and a mentee that’s younger, it can occur between peers or even a younger person mentoring an older person. There are motivational, attitudinal, career, and health benefits that can be gained from being mentored. Not only do mentees benefits from a mentoring relationship, mentors can experience positive rewards. Mentoring can assist in helping you have purpose and feel needed. 

If you are going to enter a mentorship relationship, then it is best to make sure it lasts at least 12-18 months. Research has shown that relationships that only last six months have not shown positive benefits, while those less than three months have actually shown to be more harmful than positive. It is important to find the right person to mentor. Oftentimes, they may seek a relationship by speaking with you directly or joining a program. It’s important to identify what exactly the mentee wants to learn from your guidance and if they are ready to learn and grow in their areas of interest. It is best to avoid mentoring someone that you may be supervising because it can cause jealously among employees or even cause the mentee to be less likely to take risks. 

Once a mentoring relationship has been established it is important to identify the mentee’s goals and what they want for their future by asking clarifying questions. It is critical to ensure that during this conversation the two of you are able to establish the mentee’s goals and vision, rather than what you think they should want. It is best to meet and build your relationship on a regular basis in order to achieve the set goals. During the meeting times, it’s important to ask probing questions that get them out of their comfort zone. There should be a dynamic that allows for feedback between the mentee and mentor in order to facilitate growth and find ways to improve the relationship. As a mentor, being intentional about how you’re interacting with the world around you, especially when working with youth, is critical for setting a good example. Youth, in particular, may not have had the opportunity to see certain actions like holding a door for someone or saying thank you. This can be beneficial for them to see. To be a successful mentor, it can be helpful to reflect back on those who have had a positive impact on you throughout your life. This can inspire you to be the best possible mentor. To find out more ways to keep yourself healthy, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com. 

Source: https://experiencelife.com/article/the-value-of-mentoring/