Chicken Soup for a Cold

Chicken Soup actually helps with your cold! The anti-inflammatory and mucus-thinning effects make you feel much better. Here is a recipe from the Medical Journal Chest, Vol. 118, 2000, Drs. B. Rennard, Erti, Gossman, Robbins, and S.I. Rennard:

1  5-to-6-lb stewing hen or baking chicken

1  Package of Chicken Wings

3  Large Onions

1  Large Sweet Potato

3  Parsnips

2  Turnips

11-12  Large Carrots

5-6  Celery Stems

1  Bunch of Parsley

Salt & Pepper to taste

Cover the chicken with cold water, and bring it to a boil.  Add chicken wings, onions, sweet potato, turnips, and carrots. Boil about 1½ hours, removing fat regularly.  Add the Parley and celery.  Cook all about 45 minutes longer. Remove the chicken, which is no longer used for the soup. Put the vegetables in a food processor until chopped or pass them through a strainer. Add salt and pepper.

Get Ready, Get Set, Go 5K Prep

Looking for a new way to get in shape?  Striving for a new goal is always an excellent way to put a little extra excitement into your workout!  While small, consistent goals like keeping your heart rate up for 30 minutes per day at least 3 days per week are wonderful ways to stay healthy, getting in shape for an event is even better because it gives you a goal that you are fully accountable for.  Sign up for a local event, and go ahead and pay the entry fee so that you will stay committed.  You could even include your friends and family so that everyone is involved!  Competitive? Make it a competition so you can see who can get the best time! 

We will be hosting a 5K run/fun walk on September 8, 2012 in Bessemer, Alabama and would like to challenge you to get into shape for it.  By starting to prepare now, you can ensure yourself to finish the 3.1-mile race in a healthy way, with a time that may surprise you!  Here are a few tips & tricks that will help you stay healthy and not overdo it at first:

§         First, get a physical from your chiropractor or family physician to make sure that you are healthy enough to begin working out, and talk to them about problems you may encounter.

§         Next, talk to your doctor about how you should get started in striving for your goals.  Remember, everyone may start at a different level, and it’s important to push yourself, but be sure to know your limits.

§          Go get some properly fitting running shoes.  If you have had problems with your feet in the past, I would suggest you go to a running store and talk to them about the support that you will need.

§         The next step is to break those shoes in!  Set up a work out plan that you can stick to!  Don’t plan on working out for 2 hours per day 7 days a week because you will become discouraged.  Start small: 3 days per week for 30-40 minutes would be great.

§         Be sure to begin and end each workout by walking 5-10 minutes and doing some light stretching.  This warm up and cool down will help to prevent injury and decrease soreness.

§         Stay hydrated!!! Dr. Harper recommends that you drink 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes.  For longer workout sessions (90 minutes or more), a sports drink such as Gatorade or Powerade would be good to replace the sodium & minerals lost while sweating during your workout.  Always drink plenty of water after your workout, despite the time spent working out or the intensity.

Stay motivated!  You CAN accomplish your goals!  You WILL succeed!

We have some exciting news: Town & Country Spinal Pain Center will be hosting our first annual Fans For Fitness, 5K Run/Fun Walk on September 8th, 2012!  We would love to have you be a part of this wonderful event.  Additional news will be coming your way as we progress!

The Chiropractic Approach Toward Obesity

The chiropractic advantage is a welcome approach in the fight against obesity. We as chiropractors, provide beneficial services to patients who struggle with obesity. Patients may initially come to us because of lower back pain brought on by their additional weight. The extra weight that people carry can also affect their knees and hip joints. A 10 pound weight gain can have an impact on your balance and alignment. As these patients come into the office, the chiropractor will have the opportunity to assist them in making better lifestyle choices that will result in achieving overall health. The unique advantage is that the chiropractor can monitor their patients increased physical activity, reduce musculoskeletal (muscle and joint) pain that may occur, make any adjustments to their specific weight loss plan, address concerns, and offer helpful words of encouragement to stay on course.

Dr. Harper is eager to offer his expert advice in order to aid you in achieving your weight loss goals. Call (205) 425-5428 today!

Don’t Let Age Stop You in Your Tracks

Sure, age is just a number, and we all want to be forever young; but, be sure you take notice of your body and the changes it goes through with every passing year. In a previous posting, we mentioned how age has degenerative effects on the discs in your back. Therefore, we’d like to focus on how aging can have a painful effect on the body, and best practices to stay agile and prevent future pain.

Osteoarthritis is a major concern for many people as they age. It can take effect when the protective cartilage and the joints in your spinal column (or other joints) begin to wear down with age, causing one bone to grind against another. Facet joints are often affected by osteoarthritis. Those joints are the hook-shaped structures that run up and down the back of the spine. As osteoarthritis sets in, the bone often bulges out, putting pressure on surrounding nerves and causing pain.

Bending backwards and early mornings may be especially painful as osteoarthritis sets in.  You may experience serious stiffness accompanied with lower back pain that could protrude into your bottom and upper thighs, as well as up into your shoulders and neck. To prevent this pain, it’s crucial to do regular exercises that strengthen your back and core muscles. You need to stay active and flexible with your entire body to give your spine as much support as possible.

Start now! If you need to shed a few pounds, try to take it off as soon as possible. No body needs the added strain on their discs and joints. A great way to get in shape is to sign up for local events like our upcoming 5K. These events will give you a goal to work toward that you can be accountable for.

If you are already experiencing what you believe to be signs of early osteoarthritis, contact your local chiropractor for more information to learn about ways to get the pain relief that you need. Dr. Harper would be more than happy to talk with you about specific core building and back strengthening exercises you can do to give your spine the support it needs and prevent future pain. We would love to see you age pain free, and encourage all of our patients to stay active throughout their many years of life!

Looking for a way to stay agile? Set small, achievable goals everyday! Build up your strength and endurance. Soon, you’ll be ready to sign up for local events to participate in and inspire others to be healthy and fit just like you!

*Some information in this blog was derived from an article at www.health.com