March is National Nutrition Month

March 7th, 2011

Do you suffer with symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, reflux, constipation, diarrhea, gas or bloating? As a chiropractic physician who is interested in all aspects of health and wellness, I am always concerned with nutrition and digestion and their vital role in how a body responds to chiropractic therapies. Enzyme therapy is one way we can help you reach your wellness goals.

“Enzymes are very large complex protein molecules. They are responsible for the pre-digestion of our food. Enzymes run every biochemical reaction in our body. What is poorly understood is how important enzymes are to digestion and to the concept of staying healthy. Think of enzymes as the workers or builders of a house. The house is made up of raw materials called: Proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. To build the house, the enzymes put all of the raw materials together to build the house. If there are no enzymes present, the house won’t be built. If there are very few enzymes present, it will take years to build the house; or, the house may never get built at all. Enzymes also nourish the immune system. The immune system is responsible for keeping us from getting sick by destroying bacteria, and viruses.” (Paul S. Inselman, DC)

March is National Nutrition Month, and to celebrate, we are offering a 25% discount on our 24-Hour Urinalysis, and a 10% discount on our Source of Stress Exam. The 24-hour urinalysis tells us how your are digesting the fats, carbohydrates and proteins that you are eating. This helps determine the types of foods that you should eat and the ones that you should avoid. The Source of Stress Examination is a reliable, reproducible method of determining the stressed organ systems in your body. Combined with a 24-hou urinalysis, we can determine which enzyme formulations you need to improve digestion, improve waste elimination and nourish stressed organs.

Please give us a call at 913-345-9247, and a member of our staff will be happy to assist you. Happy Nutrition Month!

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Dr. Robert Patterson introduces Posture Program at Overland Chiropractic

February 24th, 2011

How many of us remember a parent or a teacher reminding us to stand up or sit up straight?  It turns out, that was very good advice.  Posture is “the physical end result of how your body deals with the millions of inputs about your environment that the brain receives from the nervous system every second,” according to Dr. Steven Weiniger, DC, who focuses on posture rehab and biomechanics in Atlanta, Georgia.   Strong posture helps your body move more effectively and reduces mechanical stress on your muscles and joints.  A weak posture may cause pain in the neck, back, pelvis, shoulders, arms, wrists, hands, hip, knees, ankles and feet.  In other words, poor posture can affect every area of your body!    As we age, strong posture helps us to maintain balance and avoid falls.  In 2007, more than 21,700 Americans died as a result of falls.  Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults aged 73 and older, and the second leading cause of death from ages 60-72.  The National Institute of Health recommends staying fit and flexible, and maintaining physical strength and balance to prevent falling (source:  National Institute of Health website.)

Interestingly, strong posture can also give a boost to our mental health by affecting how we think about ourselves, according to Richard Petty, co-author of a study on body posture and professor of psychology at Ohio State University.   Participating students who were told to “sit up straight” during the study expressed more positive traits about themselves than those who were told to “slouch” and “look at their knees”.  Petty said, “their confident, upright posture gave them more confidence in their own thoughts”.

Overland Chiropractic is excited to offer our patients an innovative Posture Program designed to reduce stress on the body, reduce pain,  and strengthen balance.   Mention this blog to a member of our staff, and receive a free Posture photo and consultation with Dr. Patterson.     Make stronger posture part of your wellness-living today!

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February is Heart Health Month

February 20th, 2011

February  is Heart Health Month, so I want to share some information regarding blood pressure that I found on the American Heart Association website.  Understanding blood pressure readings is one step to leading a healthier lifestyle.   We can check your blood pressure at your next visit to Overland Chiropractic; just let us know if you would like to advantage of this service!

Click on the link below to find out what your blood pressure readings mean and information about high blood pressure:

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings.

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ABC News Medical Unit Shares Health Tips For the 2011 New Year!

January 11th, 2011

Posted By: Dr. Robert Patterson

Here is an article from ABC News, written by Katie Moisse, about how to maintain your New Year’s resolution goals. Moisse provides five health goals for the new year.  The first health goal is about losing weight.

Five Health Goals for 2011 and How to Meet Them

Nothing gets you thinking about health quite like a month of excess. As the holiday haze clears, New Year’s resolutions come into focus. But for many, January’s motivation dwindles by March – if not sooner.

Because the start of a new year is a great time to think about breaking bad habits and starting fresh, ABCNews.com asked health experts to share some healthy resolutions and tips on how to see them through.

Lose Weight
Many of us start the year with ambitious plans to shed the holiday pounds and then some. But without signs of success in the first few weeks, motivation can fizzle.

The key to losing weight, and not January’s enthusiasm, is to set realistic short-term goals, according to Lisa Cimperman, a registered dietician at University Hospitals Case Medical Center.

“There’s a lot that goes on between losing that first pound and losing that 100, 50 or even 20 pounds,” Cimperman said. Aiming to lose 1-to-2 pounds per week can help you stay on track and power through the inevitable weight loss lulls.

“There’s a lot that goes on between losing that first pound and losing that 100, 50 or even 20 pounds,” Cimperman said. Aiming to lose 1-to-2 pounds per week can help you stay on track and power through the inevitable weight loss lulls.

But don’t let the numbers on the scale be the be-all end-all, Cimperman warns. Strength training can boost muscle mass, masking successful fat loss. Measuring your waist and thighs over time and paying attention to how your clothes fit can help you track how your body’s changing.

And if you do get stuck in a rut, don’t be afraid to ask for some help.

“Studies have shown that support groups or just having someone else encouraging you will help make you successful,” Cimperman said.

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How to Reach your Personal Goals for the 2011 New Year!

January 7th, 2011

Posted By: Dr. Robert Patterson

Another year has begun. Have you taken time to reflect back on last year? What things did you accomplish? What do you want to achieve this year?

If you have not done it yet, begin making a list of the things that you would like to achieve this year. Personally, I like to write down categories such as family life, spiritual life, health, and finances. I then list the various things that I would like to accomplish in each category this year. Lastly, I ask myself what has to happen in order for each of those things to happen, and I put a time frame on it.

It takes some time and effort, but it is the only way you are ever going to realistically achieve your goals. As Zig Ziglar once said, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”

A few tips to help you achieve your

1. Make your goals concrete and specific.
2. Visualize the goal and what it is going to take to achieve it, in as much detail as possible.
3. Set specific time frames to achieve each of the steps along the way

Have a great year, and good luck in achieving your goals!

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Top 20 Fitness Trends for 2011

December 30th, 2010

Posted By: Dr. Patterson

The New Year allows people the opportunity to evaluate their health and fitness. According to an article from http://www.webmd.com, written by Bill Hendrick, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recently released a list of the top 20 predicted worldwide fitness trends for 2011. According to the article, personal trainers, fitness programs for older adults and core training are among the trends for the upcoming year.

Here more trends for 2011:

1. Educated and experienced fitness professionals. Thompson tells WebMD that “more people are expected to turn to educated professionals,” even though those trainers cost more. “More states are considering legislation to license personal trainers. People want the best.” The ACSM says in a news release that an increasing number of organizations are offering health and fitness certifications, which Thompson says is a positive development. Thompson says one reason people want pros is that “more and more people are getting injured using untrained personal trainers.”
2. Strength training. This remains a central emphasis for many health clubs and is central for a complete training program.
3. Children and obesity. With obesity at epidemic levels for children and adults, more people are looking for programs to help them or their children lose weight.
4. Exercise and weight loss. More people are likely to look for exercise programs that include nutritional advice.
5. Boot camp. Modeled after military boot camps and basic training, this high-intensity type of program is becoming more popular because it incorporates cardiovascular, strength, endurance, and flexibility drills in indoor and outdoor settings.
6. Functional fitness. This is a trend toward using strength training to improve balance and ease of daily living. Functional fitness and special fitness programs for older adults are closely related.
7. Doctor referrals. This partners medical professionals with health and fitness professionals to more easily integrate exercise into the lives of patients.
8. Yoga. Various forms of yoga can be done in groups or at home because many books and instructional tapes have become popular and available.
9. Worksite health promotion. Worksite health promotion programs rose from No. 20 to No. 12. Employers have recognized that having healthier workers will result in lower health care costs and less absenteeism.
10. Outcome measurements. Efforts abound to define and track outcomes. Measurements are needed to determine the effectiveness of health and fitness programs.

Read More:

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USATODAY.COM POSTS OVERLAND CHIROPRACTIC’S PRESS RELEASE: DR. ROBERT PATTERSON OF OVERLAND CHIROPRACTIC REVIEWS HOW TO MANAGE STRESS DURING THE HOLIDAY

December 22nd, 2010

Posted By: Dr. Robert Patterson

USATODAY.com recently posted Overland Chiropractic’s press release: Dr. Robert Patterson of Overland Chiropractic Reviews How to Manage Stress During the Holidays.

Altering expectations or tightening your budget can help alleviate additional financial stress. Maintain a normal exercise and sleep routine. Plenty of rest and exercise are great stress relievers. Finally, prioritizing is important during the holidays. Do not tire yourself out trying to attend every holiday party. Make a list of the most meaningful gatherings and graciously decline the rest.

Read More:

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Dr. Robert Patterson of Overland Chiropractic Reviews How to Stay Healthy During the Holidays

November 29th, 2010

By: Dr. Robert Patterson

The delicious food and drinks that surround the holidays can make it difficult to stay in shape. This article from MSN.com offers tips about how to be healthier during the holidays.

Mmm, holiday carbs! Eat, drink and not fatten up

During the holiday season, most people attend tons of festive events—and nearly all of them center around fattening food. Add seasonal stress and zero time to cook or hit the gym, and you have a recipe for holiday weight gain. Well, not this year! We came up with 10 tips to help you survive the hectic holiday season.

HOLIDAY PARTIES

It’s inevitable that you’ll be going to at least a few soirees this holiday season, whether it’s the office holiday party or your neighbor’s annual bash. Here are a few tactics you can employ.

1. Sip smartly
With alcohol, the goal is to keep both your calories and your buzz under control.

A single shot of vodka, gin, or rum mixed with club or diet soda and a squeeze of lime will set you back only about 100 calories. Other standard low-cal options include light beer or wine, most of which have fewer than 150 calories per serving. That’s perfect if you can sip one all night; if you’re the type to make several trips to the bar (no judgments!), try asking the bartender to fill your glass only halfway each time to keep your total intake down.

Champagne or pink Prosecco are both great options. Not only are they low on the calorie chart—around 80 to 120 per glass—but they’re also more likely to be sipped rather than guzzled.

2. Work the room
If you’re planted next to the food table, you’ll shovel chips and dip into your mouth all night long. So stay far, far away. You won’t eat mindlessly if you have to cross the room to get to the food or if you’re chatting someone up.

You should also be picky. Passed hors d’oeuvres, which hover at every turn, are small, but they add up—fast. To avoid eating 2,000 calories worth of cheese puffs, limit yourself to three that you love. Been waiting all year for bacon-wrapped scallops? Go for it. But pass on the crab cakes and other fried fare.

AT THE MALL

Another inevitability during the holidays is the mall food court, unless you’ve perfected the art of online shopping! Having to make decisions diminishes people’s willpower. So all the gift decisions you face at the mall will make you that much more vulnerable to temptation at the food court.

3. Pack snacks
Malls are filled with kiosks hawking softball-size cinnamon buns and soft pretzels on steroids. Keeping portion-controlled goodies in your bag will make other snacks easier to resist. Stick 30 pistachios or 24 almonds in a ziplock bag with two dried plums or apricots, or even some turkey jerky or a snack bar with less than 200 calories and at least 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. The carb/protein/fat combo in these foods will keep you full.

4. Sidestep seasonal sirens
An economic theory called the scarcity principle explains why we’re such suckers for holiday treats. Decades of research show that items we perceive as being in limited supply seem more desirable to us than non-scarce items. Holiday-themed coffee drinks and sweets are often more caloric than regular ones, so it’s safer to stick to the basics. Add your own cinnamon to your every day coffee or drizzle your own vanilla or peppermint extract.

Read More

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Dr. Robert Patterson Reflects on Meaning of Continual Thanksgiving

November 19th, 2010

By: Dr. Robert Patterson  

Thanksgiving is probably our family’s favorite time of the year.  We have many traditions, which were started when our children were very small and that we have continued to keep for the past 20 years.  For both my wife and I, the holiday holds wonderful memories of extended family, delicious food and sweet fellowship.

But thankfulness should not be relegated to only one grand Thursday in November.  Gratitude is “an indispensable manifestation of virtue, and an integral component of health, wholeness, and well-being.”

So, how does thankfulness play a part in your wellness?  And how can one go about attaining an attitude of gratitude?

One way to focus on thankfulness is to keep a gratitude journal.  A gratitude journal does not have to take too much time out of your day, and could be done in a simple notebook beside your bed, or in a list kept in your computer.  Research has shown that people who kept a gratitude journal on a weekly basis “exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the upcoming week compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events”.

Another interesting result of the gratitude journal is that research participants were also more likely to progress toward important goals involving academic achievements, inter-personal relationships and physical well being

Further research showed that “grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism, and lower levels of depression and stress. Grateful individuals place less importance on material goods; they are less likely to judge their own and others’ success in terms of possessions accumulated; they are less envious of others; and are more likely to share their possessions with others relative to less grateful persons.”

Practice gratefulness every day of the year, and not just in November.  Your mind and your body will be healthier for it.

(Quoted items are from “Highlights from the Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness Dimensions and Perspectives of Gratitude” Co-Investigators: Robert A. Emmons, University of California, Davis, and Michael E. McCullough, University of Miami)

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Dr. Robert Patterson Reviews How to Beat the Holiday Blues

November 17th, 2010

By: Dr. Robert Patterson

November is on its way, but everywhere you go, the holiday season seems to be in full swing. The stores are decorated, the toy catalogs have arrived, and Christmas music is playing on the radio 24 hours a day. For some people this time of year is full of anticipation and joy, while for others the holidays bring on stress, anxiety and depression.

Although holiday stress can affect anyone, the American Psychological Association (APA) found in a recent survey that women are more likely than men to report increased stress during this time of the year. Women are also less likely to take time to relax or to manage stress in healthy ways. “Holiday blues” may occur when expectations of joyful family gatherings are not met, finances are difficult and when fatigue sets in from trying to do too many things in too little time.

The following tips may help you avoid the pitfalls of becoming too “wrapped up” in the holidays to actually enjoy them:

1. Be realistic. That may mean altering your expectations or tightening your budget. Spending time together as a family and making memories is much more valuable than any amount of money spent on material things.
2. Maintain your normal routine.  If you have begun an exercise program, don’t use this time of year as an excuse to forego your workouts.  Exercise is a great natural stress-reliever.
3. Pay attention to your body.  Make sure you are getting enough sleep and take special care to eat right.  A healthy body is more able to deal with stress.
4. Prioritize.  You really don’t have to attend every event to which you are invited.   Choose the most meaningful gatherings and graciously decline the rest.
5. Start new traditions.  The holidays can be particularly painful if you have recently lost a close family member or friend.  You may want to find a way to recognize that person during this time.

Take time for yourself, enjoy the meaning of the season and don’t let stress and anxiety take away from this unique time of year.  You may just find yourself having a truly happy holiday.

(Some material provided by the APA Website)

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