Shameless Self Promotion: FCHC 4th Annual Twilight Run

If you were in our office last year around the Holidays you might have noticed our charity of the month was the Fredericksburg Christian Health Center.   Last year we raised over $400 dollars for them over the winter months, and delivering that check gave us a warm fuzzy feeling all over.   

Last year, in August, we offered our services to the 3rd Annual FCHC Twilight run.  It was a blast.  We were new, but several runners stopped by to get taped with Kinesiotape.   Yes, it was HOT, but we stayed till the end of the race to watch the winning runners of each age group celebrate.   

THIS YEAR, we will be BACK! And we are hoping all of you will come out in support of this great event.   And don't worry...you can walk it if you want :)

We Bring the NEWS to YOU!: "Sitting for Hours May Shave Years Off Your Life"

We understand that not everyone has time to read all of the latest articles and information that is out there on the world wide web.  That's why, from time to time, we like to bring the news to YOU!  We'll give you the highlights and the link to the article if you wan to read more.  Enjoy!

This week: "Sitting for Hours May Shave Years Off Your Life!"

By William Hudson, CNN

June 24, 2011 10:06 a.m. EDTJune 24, 2011 10:06 a.m. EDT

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Women, men who sat for long periods of time more likely to die in study than those who didn't
• In other surveys, extended periods of sitting increased risks of illness
• Recent research shows exercise can't undo damage to health from extended sitting
• Researchers say public health guidelines should address both physical activity and inactivity

Read the rest of the article HERE: http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/06/24/sitting.shorten.life/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

AND NOW, Some More GREAT INFO!

CELERY!: Bland but POWERFUL!

A recent article in the Free Lance-Star (Sunday June 26th, 2011) unveiled the amazing power of celery. Since we like to show you the amazing power of REAL food in your diet, we felt like this article was right up our ally.  Please take a moment to enjoy these fun facts about celery.  The article, by Sam McManis, is reproduced below...


Free Lance-Star June 26th, 2011
By Sam McManis

Celery has been a favorite of the health-conscious as far back as Hippocrates, who called it a "nerve soother." Take a deep breath and try our quiz about his bland but powerful vegetable.

1. University of Missouri researchers found that apigenin, a compound in celery, can slow the growth of which condition in lab rats?
A) Breast Cancer
B) Liver Cancer
C) Throat Cancer

2. What was one of the medicinal uses ancient Romans had for celery? 
A) Cured fever
B) Heightened sex drive
C) Reduced gout swelling

3. Researchers also have found that celery contains androsterone which can have what effect?
A) Decrease the sense of taste and smell in men
B) Lowers testosterone levels in men
C) Release a pheromone in men that attracts women

4. How many calories are in a single stalk of celery?
A) 10
B) 6
C) 1

5. Celery stalks were believed to be used as garnish in the grave of which historical figure?
A) Marilyn Monroe
B) King Tut
C) Benito Mussolini

6. How many celery seeds does it take to produce an acre of celery?
A) 1 ounce
B) 1 pound
C) 10 pounds

Answers: 1:A  2:B  3:C  4:A  5:B  6:A
Sources: Tufs Health and Nutrition Letter: http://www.healthdiaries.com/

Are your Arms Tingling?

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Are you experiencing weird arm and hand symptoms?  Maybe your fingers feel like they are extra sensitive, numb, or every now and then you have a burning sensation that runs down the back of your arm.   Do you wake up at night and feel as if one side has gone to sleep? 

All of these symptoms suggest that you have pressure on a NERVE! 

In chiropractic we are constantly chasing down nerve pressure in the neck, lower back, and legs.  Nerve pressure is troublesome not only because it causes pain and other annoying sensations, but because long term nerve pressure can lead to muscle weakness, damage, and atrophy.  

Nerve pressure can come from three places. First, you may have pressure on one of the individual nerves further down your arm or even in your wrist (as with carpal tunnel).   Second, you may have pressure on the nerves exiting your neck by the muscles surrounding your neck and your shoulders. This type of never pressure is known as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.   Finally, and most seriously, you could have pressure on one of the nerves within your spine at the level of your neck.  Pressure on the nerves at this level is often due to a herniated disc.  This pressure is the most severe of the three.  Fortunately, these types of nerve pressure are the things chiropractors like us specialize in!

If you have these symptoms you'll need to get examined right away.  Most nerve pressure is easily relieved with adjustments, muscle work, stretching, and the customized exercises we give you each and every visit. 

ICE ICE ICE!

If you're a patient, you've heard us say it!  ICE ICE ICE! 

No, we're not chanting for a bobslead team, and yes, it is hot here in Fredericksburg this time of year and we could all use a frozen drink... but, what we really want you to do is ICE your INJURY. 

It is a common misconception that heat is the better choice,  and we do admit that heat will feel better in the short term.  BUT, heat will do more damage than good, especially if your injury is new or acting up.  

Heat will bring more bloodflow to the injured area and this increase in temperature will increase the inflammatory reaction already happening at the site of your injury.  Inflammation results in swelling and pain at the area while your body tries to "clean up" the injury... a process that sometimes goes a bit overboard.  

And this is why we chant ICE ICE ICE!  Ice, though not always as comfortable, will help to decrease the temperature in the area, constrict the blood vessels, and even numb away some of the pain.   We recommend 15mins of ice at a time, with a 15 to 30 min break in between.   You can repeat this process as much as you want!  Ice is SAFE, effective, and cheap.  

So remember, if you're sore, the pain is acting up, or it's the weekend and you can't get in until Monday... ICE ICE ICE!