Healing

The act or process of restoring to health
Utilizing various healing practitioners – such as naturopaths, chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, etc. – will aid the body’s healing process, restoring health and improving overall cellular function.

This is the Most Important Lesson to Teach Your Child

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there.

 “If you talk to your children, you can help them to keep their lives together.  If you talk to them skillfully, you can help them to build future dreams.” Jim Rohn

In my opinion, there is no greater leadership challenge than parenting.  And I believe one of the most important lessons we can teach our children is to value their health.

Teach your children this…What you do when you feel great is more important than what you do when you don’t feel good.  

Would you ever stop brushing your teeth because they didn’t hurt?  Of course not!  Health begins with great habits – it means being PROACTIVE not REACTIVE. 

Teaching our children about health will take an unwavering commitment to become the best example of health so they will learn to do the same

Healthy Habits = Healthy Children. 

Don’t forget, taking care of your spine is one of the most important health habits of all!  Optimal spinal health means an optimally functioning nervous system.  Get your children checked.

To be successful in the long run, I believe everyone needs a high purpose… it is your purpose that drives your directional arrow.

I don’t know what your purpose is, but I do know that in order to reach your purpose, there must be congruency between what you believe and how you act on a daily basis.

Whatever brings you joy and fulfillment, I would bet that a strong and healthy spine is one of the keys to making that happen.  Whether you want to run a 10K, be an avid golfer, dedicate time to gardening, or be an active parent/grandparent – taking care of your back is a must. 

The question I pose to you is this… Are you taking action on a daily basis that will allow you to enjoy the benefits of a healthy spine for life?

Our purpose is not just to prevent back pain but to improve quality of life.

Want Strong Bones?

If you want strong, healthy bones, make sure you are taking your Omega 3’s.

Add this one to the list of the marvelous benefits of omega 3’s!  According to the latest study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, increasing your intake of omega 3 fats, DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) in particular, increases boned mineral content and produces healthier, stronger bones. 

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/05/29/omega3s-linked-to-healthier-stronger-bones.aspx

How else can you optimize your bone health? 

  • Exercise
  • Vitamin D
  • Vegetables
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin K
  • Animal-based protein

 What can be harmful for your bone health?

  • Fluoride
  • Birth control pills
  • Sugar and soda pop
  • Excessive thyroid hormone
  • Pain killers
  • Inhaled steroids
  • Prozac
  • Gastric bypass surgery

Take The Ultimate Health Test!

Good morning to all,
 
This week I am reminding you all to check in with your health.  We are 3 months into the year.   This is a great time to asses how are you doing with your new health habits and goals you have set for yourself.  If you kept doing exactly what you are doing, where would your health be by the end of the year?  Are you on track for a healthier you or is it time to re-asses and re-focus?  It is vital to continue to monitor progress in all areas of health.
 Take our spring Health Score and rate your levels out of 10 on each category for a total of 50. 
 
-Nourishment (Nutrition)
-Movement (Fitness)
-Harmony (Stress Reduction)
-Clarity (Positive Mindset)
-Healing (Health Habits including your Spinal Fitness Program)
 
Poor health (0-20)
Average health (20-40)
Exceptional health (40-50)
  
Without health, there is nothing else you can commit to in your life. It is the one thing, if taken away from you, that would affect your life more than anything.  Just ask someone who is really SICK.
 
Make your health and that of your family the most important thing by which you make choices.  
Be Well, Live Well, Stay Well. 

Research Links This Vitamin to Cancer Prevention!

Staying on top of your health and preventing diseases like cancer requires your body to be nourished with vital nutrients.  Check out the latest research on Vitamin D!

When researchers at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska decided to give 1,200 healthy post-menopausal women either a placebo or calcium (1,500mg) plus vitamin D (1,000 IU) every day, they wanted to know if these two nutrients would prevent bone fractures.

Instead they found that the women who were given both vitamin D and calcium were 77 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with cancer (mostly of the breast) over the next four years. (Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 85:1586, 2007)

The same was found for the link between vitamin D and colorectal cancer.  For example, in a study of 535 male health professionals and female nurses, those with high blood levels of vitamin D were only half as likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer as those with low levels. (J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 99:1120, 2007)

A 2009 study of people from states with low sun exposure (in this study, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) again high blood vitamin D levels were linked with a higher risk of pancreatic cancer. (Caner Res. 69:1439, 2009)

I have been saying this for years, vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins to make sure you are getting.  Most research recommends at least 1000mg per day. 

Hear are the best sources of vitamin D:

Wild Salmon (170 g)   1,680IU

Trout  (170 g)  660 IU

Sockeye Salmon canned (1/4 cup) 480 IU

Multivitamin, most brands 400 IU

Cod   (170 g) 180 IU

Tuna, canned (1/4 cup) 130 IU (watch your mercury intake)

Milk (1 cup) 90 IU

Yoplait Source yogurt (100g) 30 IU

Egg  (1 large) 20 IU

Never, Never Give Up!

 

andy6jpg 07b4c69518f6162f1 Never, Never Give Up!

GO CANADA GO!

WHAT AN OLYMPICS… AND WHAT A FINISH! 

USA TIED THE GAME WITH UNDER 30 SECONDS LEFT… BUT TEAM CANADA NEVER GAVE UP.  THEY REGROUPED AND CAME BACK EVEN STRONGER TO WIN IN OVERTIME.  (CLICK ON THE LINK TO SEE MY FAVORITE PICTURE)

THIS KIND OF DETERMINATION IS JUST AS IMPORTANT FOR YOU IN YOUR HEALING JOURNEY AS IT IS FOR THE OLYMPIC ATHLETE.  STAY FOCUSED AND YOU TOO WILL SEE SUCCESS. 

“Never, never, never give up!”~ Winston Churchill

“Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.”~ Samuel Johnson

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.”~ Vince Lombardi

“Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. “~ William Feather

Have you heard the news?

Good morning!

Many of you may have heard the buzz around BackFit, that yes, our dear Tania is expecting a baby!

In March, Tania will be taking her maternity leave, and while we will miss seeing her smiling face every day, we are so thrilled for her as she begins a new chapter in her life!  Over the next few weeks, you will have the opportunity to get to know Nicole Lehmann, who will be stepping into Tania’s shoes.  Nicole will be your primary contact at BackFit, so please stop by the front desk and introduce yourself to Nicole- she is a wonderful, bright addition to the team.  If at any time Nicole is unavailable, Jill and Vanessa can assist you and are equally committed to your care and well being. 

We encourage you to keep moving forward on the path to creating a healthy spine and nervous system… it is the foundation for a healthier you.  

Healthy spine = optimal nerve function = a healthier and happier YOU!

Losing Weight = Spinal Rejuvenation

Good day to all!

First of all, thank you for your support and enthusiasm last week.  We realize that this transition has been a big change for a lot of you as you adapt to a new routine and new surroundings.  We sincerely appreciate your patronage to our clinic and your commitment to your health.

Now that we have made the move, please TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE of our entire BackFit SYSTEM.

If you ask the experts who coach people on permanent weight loss, they will tell you there is not one simple solution.  To make dramatic physiologic change and get permanent results, it requires a multi-faceted approach.  You have to get on a consistent workout program – weight training to burn fat and stimulate metabolism and cardio to burn calories.  You must also focus on proper nutrition, as well as examine your emotional attachment to food.  Fail to address any one of these factors, and it will be evident in your results.

Remember - rejuvenating your spine is no different.  Similar to losing weight, it takes multiple factors to get maximum results.  This is the single reason why many people don’t get long term results when they are only receiving spinal adjustments, but not addressing the other aspects of spinal health.

Instead, if you want a healthy functioning spine for life, consider these 4 factors:

1.  Spinal Decompression Therapy- It is impossible to have a healthy spine if you have compressed or damaged discs.  Nothing will restore and rehydrate your discs and cartilage like the pumping action that occurs during spinal decompression.

2.  Spinal Alignment- Spinal alignment/adjustments are the key to proper spinal posture and proper nerve function.

3.  Postural Corrective Exercise- With our “CORE- spinal fitness gym” your muscles will feel the difference after you strengthen and stretch your newly aligned spine.  Remember, after you get trained on the equipment…it’s yours to use, FREE.

4.  Spinal Nutrition – Nourishment that promotes healing and regeneration in the spine. Stick to foods that decrease inflammation and increase alkalinity. Talk to me if you would like more information about this topic. 

So if you are reading this and you realize that you are only doing one or two of the above, we encourage you to utilize the other components of our program.  You will get out of your program exactly what you put in.

Just remember, as in any process – it takes time.  Keep up the good work and we will see you at BackFit.

Sending You Some Holiday Cheer!

Special holiday greetings to all of you!  We hope that you have received your BackFit Christmas card in the mail.  By presenting your gift cards to a friend or family member, you give them the opportunity to come into BackFit for a full assessment (including x-rays) by making a simple donation to Habitat for Humanity.  This is a great way to give the gift of health! 

Please take note of our Holiday hours:

We will be OPEN Monday, Dec 21st through Wednesday, Dec 23rd

                                                AND

We will be OPEN Monday, Dec 28th through Wednesday, Dec 30th

We will re-open for regular hours on Monday, Jan 4th, 2010!

Please speak with Tania to schedule your appointments into these days.

We look forward to sharing in more of this festive season with you!

We’re Ready for You!

Good morning!

We are looking forward to seeing you this week and welcoming you to our new space!  When you arrive for your appointment, please check in at the front desk to receive your new key fob.  Please keep in mind that, although we have been working diligently, there are some details that remain unfinished.  You will see some walls, paint and glass that will be coming in this week.

Throughout the week we will have some extra hands on deck to walk you through the facility and ensure you are comfortable navigating your way through your visit with us.  If you are eager to begin utilizing the complimentary CORE gym equipment, please talk with Tania or Jill to schedule your orientation.  There will be a one-time fee of $45 for setting up your program with our trainer, and then you are free to use the equipment at any time. When you are ready to move onto more advanced programs with your CORE training, there is typically another $45 fee for each of the related training sessions.  However, for our patients only, these subsequent training sessions will be free of charge.  Just a little way of saying thank you for support during this transition.

Just a reminder of our new address and phone number:

1091 McKenzie Ave. (at Borden)      

250-477-8143

From Sidney – take the Quadra exit, turn left onto McKenzie and right onto Borden (look for the green & black BackFit sign)

See you all there!

P.S.  We will be getting back to our health-related blogs in the coming weeks!