Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies

According to WebMd, over 50 million Americans experience some type of allergy. That means that around 1 out of every 5 Americans experience the sometimes debilitating symptoms that accompany allergies. Additionally, it is estimated that more than 18 billion dollars are spent each year treating allergies in the American healthcare system. 

Many people assume the only way that seasonal allergies can be treated is through pharmaceutical products. That is not always the case, though. Oftentimes, symptoms like runny nose, itchy eyes, headaches, etc. that are caused by seasonal allergies can be treated naturally.

First, it is important to understand what an allergy even is. An allergy is when your body reacts or becomes hypersensitive to an antigen. Your body’s immune system becomes hypersensitive, and as a result, your body experiences a damaging response. Most often, allergies are caused by pollen, dust, certain foods, or animal fur. 

When your body responds to an allergen, your body produces a chemical called histamine. This is why many people immediately jump to taking “antihistamines” when they experience allergies. This chemical, histamine, works with your body to counteract the allergen. Allergies can range from being seasonal allergies that most often get worse when pollen levels rise during the spring and fall; food allergies; indoor allergies to dust; pet/animal allergies; and allergies to medication. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction to an antigen.

While anaphylaxis and other allergies should be treated with medical care, seasonal allergies can be treated with natural remedies. It is important to understand that when your body produces an allergic reaction, it is because it senses that something is not right within your body.  Instead of only addressing symptoms you experience, it is very important to understand the root cause of WHY you are having allergies and then build your natural defense system to that. 

That being said, here are a few natural remedies that can treat the symptoms associated with seasonal allergies:

• Avoid inflammatory foods. Remember that an allergic response is an inflammatory response. If you try to avoid foods like gluten, refined sugar, dairy, etc. that are highly inflammatory, it will help alleviate your inflammatory response. Incorporating Vitamin D into your daily routine can also help. Vitamin D is very important to immune functioning. Make an effort to get outside in the sunlight and incorporate Vitamin D into your daily intake. 

• Consume local, raw honey. Taking a spoonful of local, raw honey every day can dramatically improve how you are feeling. Raw honey contains bee pollen. Bees that live in our area go from flower to flower collecting the pollen that you are actually suffering from. Eating this pollen actually helps build up your immune system to that local pollen. Make sure you are consuming raw, LOCAL honey. This is important to it being an effective treatment. 

• Use a Neti Pot. Neti pots are a natural remedy for allergies as well as many other respiratory conditions. They literally clear out the sinus passage and remove congestion. It improves your quality of life while causing little to no side effects whatsoever. Neti pots are very reasonably priced. Using a neti pot daily flushes out your nasal passage and clears out allergens and pathogens in the process.

These are just three, easy and cost-efficient solutions to alleviating symptoms caused by seasonal allergies. Call 712-464-3301 today if you’d like to learn more about natural ways you can help treat your seasonal allergies!

Function over Fitness

“Functional Fitness” has become a buzzword in gyms and fitness centers lately, and it is for good reason. Functional fitness means to train your body to handle real life situations or to simply improve how your body functions on a daily basis.

When the winter months roll around, we tend to get lots of new members at the fitness center hoping to exercise off the holiday pounds that are put on by the pies, turkey and mashed potatoes we tend to over-indulge in. While this is good practice in theory, it is important to remember that the fitness center can be utilized by all ages year-round, and it can be used for far more benefits than exercising off the extra piece of dessert you ate at Thanksgiving.

Think of the body as a machine — a very high maintenance machine. Our bodies require more maintenance than any machine, like a car or tractor. When we take care of our cars, for example, we change the oil, rotate the tires or fill it up with good fuel. Even more so, our bodies require this type of preventative maintenance to run smoothly. Working on our functional fitness combined with fueling our bodies with good food will undoubtedly improve the quality of life we experience.

Working to improve your functional fitness means exercising in a way that prepares you to lift a toddler out of a carseat, or simply go on a walk around the block. Take a bent-over row, for example. A bent-over row builds muscles in your arms, shoulders and back. This same motion occurs when a mechanic bends over to adjust something in the engine, or a nurse bends over to transfer a patient to a new bed. These types of exercises will undoubtedly carry over into your normal life--regardless of how old you are or what your profession is. 

We built the fitness center to promote overall health and wellness for our community members, as we see people every day that struggle with different pains that have been plaguing them for years. Many of these ailments could be resolved with weekly exercise. Think of how many people could avoid a surgery like a rotator cuff surgery if they had spent the years prior doing exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff muscle.

Yes, the fitness center is there to promote weight loss and provide community members with a way to exercise year-round, but it is also there to improve our bodies function through regular exercise. Any research study will tell you that regular exercise improves your mood, is good for your bones and muscles, increases your energy, decreases your risk for chronic disease and can help reduce pain. Improving muscle tone and losing weight are often secondary benefits to seeking out improved functional fitness. 

Lake City 24 Hour Fitness is for community members of all ages. There are weights, cable machines, cardio machines, a NuStep and many other options for people of all ages and ability levels. There are no contracts, and there’s even a senior citizen discount. Take a chance at improving your functional fitness today by seeing what regular exercise can do for you and your quality of life. 

We Now Offer Foot Levelers!

 One of the most under-appreciated parts of our bodies is our feet. Many people do not realize that good health is highly dependent on good feet. If a person’s feet are not properly aligned or supported, they may experience pain or injury in many other parts of their body.

While there are certain stretches a person can do to help alleviate foot pain or misalignment, another helpful tool can be to put custom orthotics in their shoes. Custom orthotics can help with issues like plantar fasciitis, shin splints, pronation issue, knee pain, tendonitis, glute weakness, scoliosis, low back pain, neck injury, neck pain, bursitis, impingements, and hip pain. Foot imbalance or dysfunction can have ripple effects, transferring imbalance (and pain) to the ankles, legs, knees, hips, spine, shoulders, even the skull. Custom orthotics can help improve pain, posture, balance and physical performance in all aspects of life.

Custom orthotics are different from generic, over-the-counter ones in that Foot Levelers creates custom-made orthotics based on scans made by a high-tech 3D scanner. The scanner has pinpoint accuracy, so each pair is unique to the footprint of the patient 

It is important to note that once you receive a new pair of custom orthotics, you keep in mind that it can take some time for the orthotics to conform to your feet and for your body to adjust to the new support. It is important to try a new pair of orthotics for 45 days before determining if they are effective or not. Adding an orthotic to your shoe alters your plantar vault--the three arches in your foot that help to balance your body. It is important to give your body some time to adjust to the new arch support. 

You can stop into Redenius Chiropractic to order your own pair of Foot Levelers Custom Orthotics. Foot Levelers is the number one custom orthotic maker world-wide. They offer a 100% money-back guarantee if a person is unhappy with the custom orthotics they receive. Their orthotics are also built to last. When you come to the clinic, we will have you stand on the 3D scanner, and then Foot Levelers will take that information and create your custom orthotics in just a few days. Call 712-464-3301 today if you would like to learn more about Foot Levelers. 

Chiropractic Care and Pregnancy

During pregnancy, a mom’s body ramps up the production of  ligament and joint-loosening hormones that help pave the way for the baby to make an exit. If these hormones were not released, the baby’s head would never fit through the typically narrow pelvis! These hormones, combined with added water weight, baby weight, and a swollen belly can also lead to joint pain, low back pain, and fatigue. 

Chiropractic care typically involves adjusting the spinal cord to lessen pain and promote overall health in your body. Getting regular chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy helps to lessen aches and pains typically associated with pregnancy in addition to getting the body in alignment for a smoother delivery. We regularly treat pregnant women seeking care for low back pain, pinched nerves, hip pain, water retention, and headaches. We also regularly treat pregnant women seeking to get their body in optimal alignment for delivery. 

Hormones, similar to the ones that send signals to ligaments to loosen, also play an important role in sending “messages” during pregnancy and labor/delivery to help make both go smoothly and safely for both the baby and the mom. After doing work throughout your pregnancy to send messages to the body to take care of and grow the baby, hormones get the body ready to deliver, start labor contractions, prepare the baby for labor, and tell the body it's time to breastfeed. We seek to educate our patients on the importance of these hormones while getting the body ready for this process. 

Many people do not realize that hormones play a major role in regulating labor and birth. Oxytocin, for example, is commonly known as the “hormone of love,” however, during labor and birth, this hormone is responsible for releasing milk in breastfeeding. It also triggers feelings of love and nurturing. Oxytocin is heavily released during an intervention-free birth. This hormone stimulates contractions that dilate the cervix and move the baby down.

Endorphins are natural, pain-relieving hormones. As the body releases oxytocin to trigger contractions, in an intervention-free birth, endorphins are also released to help mom deal with the labor, even if it is long and challenging. Endorphins also put a mom into a state of ‘labor land’ during an intervention-free birth. When asked, most moms who have had an unmedicated birth will report very quickly forgetting the intensity of the labor. Endorphins are to thank for that. 

In addition to those two hormones, adrenaline and prolactin (lactation/breast feeding) also play a large role in pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. When we treat moms, we hope to not only treat their aches and pains while getting them into alignment for the best labor and delivery possible, but we also try to educate them on how, when the body is left to labor and deliver as nature intended it to, these hormones interact in a unique way to help both the mom and the baby. We can also help provide some tips for pain management techniques for when labor does begin. 

The goal of treating pregnant moms is to have a healthy baby and a healthy mom, regardless of the method of delivery. We work with expecting mothers to treat pregnancy aches and pains as well as prepare them for childbirth. After a baby is born, we also regularly treat moms and babies for postpartum care. Pregnancy and childbirth are miraculous processes our bodies undergo, and it is important to not only prepare for a child to be born but also to take care of both mom and baby afterwards. Call 712-464-3301 if you would like to learn more about how we can help you!

Kochersberger, Amy, DC. “5 Conditions Chiropractic Care can Improve During Pregnancy.” American Chiropractic Association. October 19, 2018.

Patient Avoids Surgery with Chiropractic Care

When many people hear the term “chiropractic,” they automatically think of back-cracking. While adjusting the spine is something I do frequently at Redenius Chiropractic, I do so many other services and techniques in addition to just “back-cracking.”

A great example of this happened just recently when a  patient came in who was experiencing numbness in her leg. The numbness was caused by twisting wrong at work, and it was so severe that she had to leave work in an ambulance. She then had to use a cane to walk because the numbness was so debilitating. While this patient was already established with our clinic, the techniques I had been using to help her low back pain clearly would not work to address the numbness in her leg. I used a variety of different techniques and modalities to help relieve her numbness and pain. As a result, this patient avoided getting a spinal epidural. She also avoided getting surgery to fix the problem. Her particular case is not an isolated incident. Over and over again we see patients avoiding surgery or other more drastic measures of pain management. 

This particular case is a great example of how we change techniques and modalities to best fit each individual situation to get the best result possible. Clinical research has found chiropractic care to be a person’s best line of defense in reducing pain. One particular research study found that 94% of manual-thrust manipulation (chiropractic) recipients experienced a 30% reduction in pain, compared to only 54% of people who only sought out medical care or physical therapy.

Depending on the symptoms a patient is presenting, we might use any of the following techniques: flexion distraction, Gonstead, diversified, activator, active release, decompression, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), Thompson, among many other techniques and modalities. We also recently developed our own tool for assisting in anterior adjustments, called the Anterior Assist, that chiropractors across the country are now using.

Chiropractic is so much more than just “back-cracking,” and we see excellent results in patient outcomes when we use a variety of techniques, modalities, and tools in our line of treatment. We also recommend that you do not wait until pain sets in to give us a call. Pain is your body’s last attempt at letting you know something is wrong. Seeking out chiropractic care preventatively and proactively can do wonders for your health and quality of life. Call 712-464-3301 to see what we can do for you today. 

Back to School Tips for Immunity

At this time, much of what school will look like for teachers and students this fall is still unknown. As fluid as the COVID-19 situation has become, it looks like plans may not be solidified until closer to the school start date. Regardless of what school looks like for students and teachers this fall, though, it is important that you take steps now to ensure your family is as healthy as possible when the doors to school open back up.  Here are three easy things you can focus on now to ensure that you and your family have optimal health and immunity when back to school time rolls around.

First, focus on sleep. Summertime often means abandoning early bedtimes and skipping naps. My family is the same way. Come summer, my young toddlers tend to stay up later, and if we are having a fun-filled family day, we often limit naptime to a car ride home. However, that being said, we do try to stick to a routine in which we all get enough sleep each night. Sleep is critical to health and immunity. Getting good sleep boosts your immune system, lowers your risk for cardiovascular disease, lowers inflammation in your body, helps you control weight gain, and lowers your risk for heart disease among many other things. It is recommended that preschool aged children get at least 10-13 hours of sleep a day, school-aged children get 9-12 hours of sleep a day, and teenagers get 8-10 hours of sleep a day. 

While we are still in the summer season, it is important to make sure your kids are getting enough sleep each day--especially during this pandemic. Get your family into healthy nighttime routines that result in the best sleep possible for all family members. This might include story time for younger kiddos or taking away the cell phone for older kiddos. Chiropractic care can also help babies and children of all ages get better sleep if there is an issue keeping the child (and probably mom and dad, too) awake at night.

Second, focus on food. We say this over and over again, but you really are what you eat. We probably sound like a broken record, but it is true. You cannot keep eating processed junk and expect to feel well and have a high-functioning immune system. We are currently in a peak season to get fresh produce. You and your family should be eating a diet that consists of whole foods that are not processed. The closer it comes to getting it straight out of the ground of your own backyard, the better. Luckily, we are in a peak season for fresh produce. Stop by Lake City Food Center to see their awesome selection of fresh produce right now. Make a point to get your family eating foods rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Not only will doing this help your family feel better, but it will also help build their immune system. You cannot eat a diet of processed foods and expect to have a high-functioning immune system.

That being said, you can eat a perfect diet and still have a few deficiencies. It is important to make sure that you and your family are taking necessary supplements to keep your immune system working at its best. Generally, I recommend Vitamin D, Elderberry, and Juice Plus to almost anyone. Vitamin D can be started when an infant is first born. I usually recommend waiting on Elderberry and Juice Plus until they are toddlers. All of these supplements can be found at Redenius Chiropractic. The research on Vitamin D and Elderberry building up your immune system is vast. There is also a significant amount of peer-reviewed clinical research on the benefits of taking Juice Plus capsules or gummies. These are filled with over 30 fruits and vegetables, freeze-dried, and put into capsules so you can directly get the benefits into your body. Juice Plus contains nutrients from so many fruits and vegetables that we simply do not have access to because of the region we live in. These three are generally recommended for almost anyone, but make sure to stop in first to make sure these supplements are right for you, or to see if other supplements might be more beneficial. 

Third, focus on sunlight. This is something so easy and FREE that you can get during these summer months. Getting sunlight every single day is so important. We get so much natural Vitamin D from the sun. Additionally, seeing the sunshine within the first thirty minutes of waking up has shown to improve your circadian rhythm, resulting in better sleep each night. Many people are scared that getting daily sunlight might result in skin cancer. Recent research, however, has found that NOT getting enough (safe) sun exposure can actually be MORE detrimental to your health. Get your kids outside, in the sun, breathing fresh air every day. This is one of the easiest (and best) things you can do to get their immune systems boosted up for fall.

In addition to these three suggestions, make sure to call 712-464-3301 to get your child scheduled for their back-to-school and sports physicals. Additionally, we can get your child adjusted to make sure their spinal alignment is allowing for optimal health and immune response. Don’t hesitate to call to ask if you have questions or would like more information on what natural things you can do to best get your family ready for school this fall. 

1.  Weatherspoon, Deborah. Ph.D., RN., CRNA. “Why Sleep Is Essential for Good Health.” Medical News Today. May 31, 2019.
2. What are the Studies About.” Juice Plus. 2020.
3. Wells, Katie. “Benefits of Safe Sun Exposure for Reduced Cancer Risk (And Vitamin D).” Wellness Mama. February 11, 2020.

Chiropractic and COVID-19

Chiropractic and COVID-19

It feels as though COVID-19 has taken over our lives. Some of our jobs have been shut down, schools have been closed, and all the media really covers anymore is the heartbreaking statistics of what this awful virus is doing to our population. While more and more of our daily routines and freedoms are being interrupted, there are still things you DO have control over that may help boost your immune system and help you feel as good as possible during this time you are quarantined. 

First and foremost, we want to write a note of gratitude thanking our medical professionals who are on the frontlines working hard to save and protect all of us from this virus. These medical professionals are working overtime to keep us all safe and healthy. Thank you for all you do!

We have gotten many phone calls asking if Redenius Chiropractic is still open during this time of social distancing. The answer is a resounding YES! Governor Reynolds listed chiropractic care as an essential form of health care that can remain open during this time, and this is for good reason. BJ Palmer, the son of the founder of Chiropractic, described it best years ago when he said, “...chiropractic is concerned with strengthening the body to suit the environment.” Chiropractic care is essential for boosting the body’s immune response system. 

The mind, body, and central nervous system are all linked together. Think, for example, that you just went to the grocery store and bought a bunch of delicious produce to keep you healthy during this time. However, you put all that produce in an unplugged refrigerator. All of that fresh produce you just purchased will likely go bad over time. The same is true for your central nervous system. That’s why our focus is on the integrity of your nervous system since it controls and regulates every aspect of your body.

There have been numerous research studies that have found that chiropractic care does boost your immune system. In 1991, for example, Patricia Brennan, Ph.D., leading a team of researchers, discovered an immediate immune boost following a single chiropractic adjustment. The study showed a “phagocytic respiratory burst of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and monocytes” right after being adjusted by chiropractors.² In other words, she found that white blood cells were boosted after an adjustment.

Another study was actually done during the 1918 flu pandemic. “Researchers in Davenport, Iowa found that out of the 93,590 patients treated by medical doctors, there were 6,116 deaths — a loss of one patient out of every 15. Chiropractors at the Palmer School of Chiropractic adjusted 1,635 cases, with only one death. Outside Davenport, chiropractors in Iowa cared for 4,735 cases with only six deaths — one out of 866. During the same epidemic, in Oklahoma, out of 3,490 flu patients under chiropractic care, there were only seven deaths.”²

In addition to getting regular chiropractic adjustments, research has found that increasing the amount of supplements like Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Collagen, and Elderberry boost your immune system.¹ These are all supplements we carry at the clinic. Remember to always contact your primary care doctor before starting any new supplements. 

It is important to note that there’s currently no cure for COVID-19 and no preventive measures other than social distancing and proper hygiene practices can protect you from developing this disease. If you do feel like you have symptoms, it is important to notify proper health officials and then make sure to follow social distancing guidelines. 

In addition to following the guidelines that our state and federal governments put in place, we encourage you to seek out chiropractic care during this time to help boost your immune system and keep you as healthy as possible. We take all protective measures we can to make sure our clinic stays as clean and sanitized as possible. We also encourage you to make sure you are taking care of your mental health. Modern medicine has come to appreciate the link between mind and body. While these difficult times of fear and unknown can bring stress into your life, we encourage you to take time to de-stress. Take a walk outside, Facetime with loved ones, try out yoga or meditation. We hope you all stay as healthy as possible during this time, and we encourage you to reach out to the clinic for any chiropractic care needs.

Sources

1. Kubala, Jillian MS RD. “Can Vitamin D Lower Your Risk of COVID-19.” Healthline. March 26, 2020.
2. Upper Cervical Chiropractic. “10 Important Studies on Chiropractic and Resisting a Virus.” March 13, 2020.

Chiropractic Care for Infants and Children

We get asked if and how chiropractic can help infants and children quite frequently. 

To answer the question, yes, chiropractic really does help infants and children in lots of different ways!  We see infants and children all the time in the clinic. In fact, we even highly recommend that pregnant moms receive regular chiropractic care so that both the mom and the baby can have the healthiest and most comfortable pregnancy and delivery possible.

Infants and children are similar to adults in that their nervous system and spine works the same way an adult nervous system and spine works. The nervous system essentially runs your body, and the bones of your spine are designed to protect your central nervous system. Stress, tension, and injury (and just think of how often toddlers and children fall), throw those bones out of alignment. When those bones are out of alignment, the nervous system gets irritated. Since the nervous system controls your body, it is important that these misalignments get fixed so that your infant or child can develop and grow properly. 

Birth, in and of itself, is considered by many to be one of the most traumatic physical experiences we endure (thankfully we do not remember it)! Consider what happens to a baby who is in the birth canal for hours and hours. The amount of pressure that builds up on their neck and spine is significant. That is why many people bring their babies in to get adjusted soon after they are born so that this tension can be released, and their little spines can be put back into alignment.

As well as seeing brand new infants, we also see babies and children for things like gas issues, reflux, nursing problems, sleep issues, ear aches, and colic among many other things. Having two children under the age of three myself, I know how frustrating and tiring it can be when a child is crying and mad for an unknown reason. While we do not claim to cure any of these conditions, we help alleviate these issues to the best of our ability so that baby and mom and dad are all more rested and happy.

Additionally, we can help resolve gross motor developmental issues like uncoordinated crawling or walking. We see infants and children who struggle with behavioral issues, meltdowns, or anxiety because a lot of these issues can be minimized with nutritional changes and regular adjustments. We also treat headaches and common growing pains. 

Again, while we do not claim to cure all of these issues, chiropractic care can help everyday quality-of-life issues that plague many families. There is a lot more stress and anxiety in kids’ lives, especially in the world we live in today. As a chiropractor, the adjustments I do can greatly improve the quality of life for both the parents and the child. Taking this conservative approach to health care is particularly important for kids. We focus on adequate nutrition, sleep, physical activity, as well as spinal alignment. 

What Makes it "Cold and Flu Season"?

We are exposed to germs, pathogens, and viruses all year, so what makes the winter months seemingly worse when it comes to “cold and flu” season?

We are exposed to these “germs” year-round, they do not suddenly become more present during the winter months. However, there are definitely circumstances during the winter months that make us, especially the very young and the elderly, more susceptible to getting the cold and flu. We are more susceptible to cold and flu bugs because our defenses are lower during the winter months.

Think about how you spend your time during these colder months. While these months are cozy, they tend to keep us indoors by the fireplace watching movies. As a result, we get less fresh air in our lungs. Not only do we not go outside as much, but we do not open up our houses. We do not get nearly as much (if any) vitamin D from the sun because we are not outside. We get less exercise because we are not outside on walks, working in our yards, or running around chasing our kids and grandkids. The air in our houses during these months tends to be recirculated heat that dries out our mucous membranes that protect our sinuses from infection.

In addition to simply staying indoors more, we also tend to eat less fresh produce and instead turn to processed “comfort food” in the winter months. We also get to enjoy holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas which bring an overconsumption of sugar during the winter months.

The good news is that there are things we can do to beef up our immune system during these winter months. You cannot really pump yourself full of herbs or supplements to keep illness away. Your immune system and your health stems largely from what you eat, how much exercise you get, and how much time you spend outside. Our suggestions for you to help improve your immune system this winter are to do the following:

Spend more time outside…even in the cold. Fresh air and vitamin D do wonders for your immune system.

Cook your own organic, whole foods, and avoid processed, boxed, or sugary foods. Every bite you take is either fueling the illness or fighting it.

Make an effort to exercise more. Making an effort to exercise will beef up your immune system while also providing your natural endorphins that fight the “winter blues.”

Run a humidifier in your house during times when your heat is constantly on.

Eat mineral rich bone broth and increase the amount of concentrated vitamin D you take in orally.

There is no “magic” shot or supplement that will keep you free from illness this winter. Your best defense is to fuel your body with healthy foods, frequent exercise, and fresh air during the months when we are more susceptible to cold and flu bugs.

How Chiropractic Can Help Babies and Children

There is so much that goes into raising a healthy child. Babies and children go through an incredible amount of physical, cognitive, and social/emotional changes as they develop over the years. Many people might not realize that the spine is the first thing that is developed in the womb, and as a result, it controls the entire nervous system. Making sure your child’s spinal cord is properly aligned and healthy can benefit your child in many ways.

Chiropractic can help your child before they are even born. There are many benefits to getting chiropractic care during pregnancy. In addition to relieving back pain that often comes with carrying a baby, chiropractic adjustments can help achieve optimal alignment and stability in the pelvis and uterus. This can help with round ligament pain and uterine torsion while making more room for the baby to move around and get in the optimal position for labor and delivery.

After a little one arrives, chiropractic care can also help with a variety of things. Being born is the most traumatic event our bodies will likely go through, and seeking out chiropractic care soon after delivery can help the baby restore optimal spinal and nervous system function. Think of how much stress a baby’s head, spine, and body go through as they travel through the birth canal. Chiropractic care can help relieve some of the stress from that experience.

In addition to this, chiropractic care can help with colic, difficulty breastfeeding, reflux, stiffness, constipation or gas pains, in addition to a wide variety of other issues newborns may face. Dr. Redenius uses gentle adjusting techniques to treat subluxations that may be hindering your child from optimal health.

As a child grows and develops, chiropractic care can help with ear infections, congestion, difficulty sleeping, balance/coordination, hyperactivity, bedwetting, anxiety, headaches or migraines, sports performance, as well as many other issues. Chiropractic care can also simply help improve posture and overall health. 

Many parents do not realize that chiropractic can help alleviate or resolve more issues than simple back pain. Supporting the delicate fibers of your child’s nervous system through chiropractic care can help ensure proper growth and development, healing, immune function, digestion, and healthy living. 

Holistic Health: The Hidden Benefits of Turmeric

While many people have heard of the Indian spice, Turmeric, not as many people know that it
has been argued by many as the most powerful herb on the planet at fighting disease. To date,
there are over 12,000 published peer-reviewed articles proving the benefits of turmeric or
curcumin, an extract of turmeric. Curcumin is what actually makes turmeric a “functional food”
which Mayo Clinic defines as, “Foods that have a potentially positive effect on health beyond
basic nutrition.” The best thing about turmeric is that, on top of being incredibly effective, it is
incredibly safe.

Arguably the most powerful aspect of curcumin is its ability to fight inflammation. Curcumin is
among the most effective anti-inflammatory compounds in the world, and in other countries, is
used more often than common NSAIDS like aspirin and ibuprofen. Inflammation is at the root of
some of the most common diseases today—arthritis, high cholesterol, chronic pain, and
recurring headaches are all associated with inflammation. Consuming turmeric or using the
essential oil is one of the best ways to treat common inflammation problems, and using it daily
is a great way to take preventative measures to keep yourself healthy. Turmeric is also known
as one of the best essential oils for treating arthritis and other joint problems. Incorporating
turmeric into your daily life helps alleviate or even reverse many inflammatory diseases or
problems.

Turmeric also boosts skin health. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are
found in turmeric have proven effective in treating multiple skin conditions including acne and
psoriasis. It has also been shown to reduce fine lines and wrinkles in skin.

So, how can you take turmeric? Luckily, you can get this incredible healing spice in a variety of
ways. First, you can consume the turmeric spice itself. May teas, roasted vegetables, and other
food groups pair well with the spice. You can also get turmeric pills or capsules. For people who
do not like the spice, taking the capsule form is preferred. You can also get turmeric-infused
protein powder. Finally, turmeric comes as an essential oil. All of these can be ordered at
Redenius Chiropractic. Because it is such a safe and proven-effective, natural way to treat
common ailments, why not give turmeric a try?

Six Back to School Tips from a Chiropractor

As the 2019-2020 school year approaches, parents and students are likely to start stocking up on school supplies, new clothes, and new books. It is just as important to consider what you can do to help keep your body as healthy and pain-free as possible this school year. Here are a few tips to help you have the best school year yet. 

Tip # 1: Find a Good Backpack and Wear it Correctly

Backpack weight is a very common question that chiropractors receive. Generally, the rule of thumb is that it should weigh no more than 20 to 30 percent of your body weight. This means, the most it should weigh will differ from child to child. If your child is small, it is recommended that the backpack should weigh no more than 15 percent of their body weight. Make sure you are wearing a backpack on both shoulders, and that it fits tightly (it is called a BACKpack, not a buttpack)! A good backpack with foam straps or wide straps is worth the extra money if you will be carrying a lot of weight or carrying it often. 

Tip # 2: Remember the Correct way to Read a Laptop, Book, Tablet, or Phone

Many schools today are 1:1 with technology, meaning that each student is equipped with their own laptop or tablet. While this is excellent for building tech-savvy students, this is not so great for spinal alignment. Both children and adults should be aware of their head placement while they are reading their tablet or laptop. Students should not be hunching over to see their laptops and tablets. When students stare at a laptop all day long, their head tends to hunch forward and go overtop of their shoulders. This is a very common cause of upper back and neck pain. Additionally, be aware at how long you are staring at a screen. Headaches, eye pain, and neck/back pain is a common result of staring at a screen for too long without taking a break. 

Tip # 3: Remember Healthy Eating for Immunity 

For optimal health this school year, you really should avoid processed foods. Stick to whole foods that will boost your energy and immunity. If you are interested in learning more about supplements or capsules that can get your kiddos the daily fruits and veggies they need, stop in to Redenius Chiropractic to learn more. While it may be easy to quick grab a Pop-Tart on your way out the door, your overall health and well-being will greatly benefit from taking the time to purchase nutritional and whole foods. Top in to Redenius Chiropractic to learn more about eating correctly for your overall health. 

Tip #4: Drink Water

Students should be taking water bottles to school, or at least taking frequent water breaks if the school does not allow their own water bottles in class. Dehydration is the number one cause of frequent headaches, fatigue, and illness in students. A great rule of thumb is to drink a minimum of eight, eight-ounce glasses of water each day as a minimum. If you are an athlete who is sweating frequently, you should be drinking even more than that. Water hydrates your body while flushing out germs, illness, etc. 

Tip #5: Remember to Get your Back to School Physical

edenius Chiropractic offers back to school physicals for just $20.00. Students who come in for their physicals also receive a free t-shirt. Getting a physical before the school year is a great way to do a quick check to make sure your student is in optimal health before starting back to class. 

Tip #6: Avoid Weekly Stress by Preparing on Sunday

Once Monday hits, many families are busy with school, work, sports, music, clubs, church youth groups, etc. In the hustle of the week, we often do not end up eating healthy meals, taking the time to exercise, or sleeping enough. Take time on Sunday to plan out everything you have going on that week. Plan out your meals. Take time to cook the food you will need for lunches and suppers so that when the busyness of the week hits, you already have everything ready to go. Taking an hour or two to do this on a Sunday will dramatically lower your stress levels. That tension you carry in your head, neck, and shoulders will start to decrease when you start to plan ahead. 

Intermittent Fasting--What is all the hype about!?

Intermittent Fasting: What is all the hype about?

The phrase “intermittent fasting” has gained in popularity over the past few years. You may
have caught wind of this health trend that has gained attention due to the ease and benefits of
intermittent fasting.

Unlike a “diet,” intermittent fasting focuses on WHEN you eat as opposed to focusing so heavily
on what you eat. While fasting intermittently cannot undo a bad diet, there are many benefits
associated with it. Research has linked intermittent fasting to benefits like weight loss,
improved health markers, a reduced risk of chronic health conditions, and improved brain
health. 1

When you make the decision to fast intermittently, you abstain from food longer than the
typical American would. As a result, your body gets a break from constantly digesting food. This
type of fasting also jumpstarts ketosis, which is the body’s natural fat-burning state. This is why
weight loss and improved health markers are common outcomes for people who fast
intermittently.

Typically, when you sit down for a meal or a snack, your body uses the glucose (or sugar) from
the food as energy. It then stores the leftover glycogen in your muscles and liver. When your
body does not get that steady stream of glucose, it breaks down the leftover glycogen as fuel.
Once those are emptied, your body then starts burning fat cells to power your body. 2
There are many different ways you can do intermittent fasting, and this is why so many people
like it. You can choose to stop eating at 6:00pm, for example, and then simply not eat again
until 8:00 am. You can stretch your fasting out longer, and instead choose to only eat for eight
hours of the day and fast for the remaining 16 hours. You can (and should) continue to drink
water during your “fasting” time.

It is important to remember that intermittent fasting should be viewed as a lifestyle change,
rather than a diet change. However, to get the most benefits out of intermittent fasting, you
should be filling your diet with healthy, whole foods during the day so that you can get as many
nutrients in as possible. Also, it is important to always listen to your body. While there are many
benefits to fasting intermittently, it should be avoided if you suffer from low blood sugar. If you
have a history of an eating disorder, this may not be ideal for you, either. Intermittent fasting is
also not recommended for children and teenagers, as they are still actively growing. It is
important that you find what works for you and your body to optimize your own health.

References:
1. Kandola, Aaron. “What are the benefits of intermittent fasting.” Medical News Today.
November 7, 2018.
2. Longo, Valter, Satchidananda, Panda. “Fasting, circadian rhythms, and time restricted
feeding in healthy lifespan.” Cell Metabolism. 23 (6) 1048-1059. June 16, 2016.

A Growth Mindset

As a teacher, I believe that creating relationships and having a good rapport with students is essential to effectively teaching them. One of the things I always do to get to know my students is to ask them to give me a few adjectives to describe themselves. They use words like, kind, hardworking, athletic, etc. What is really interesting is when I get to see the same students year after year. Most of the time, their chosen adjectives stay the same. If they consider themselves an artist in first grade, chances are they will still hold that personal belief when I see them in 7^th grade, 10^th grade, etc.

The same is true for adjectives they probably are not as proud of. For example, many students will describe themselves as a procrastinator. They may say they are slow, messy, etc. These beliefs tend to stay with them.

This is also probably true for all of us. If you were told when you were little that you were not very creative, or not a very good speller, or not very clean, or not athletic, there is a good chance you still hold that belief.

You have what is called a fixed mindset. If you are always told you are not athletic, you begin to believe it, and that tends to become a fixed attribute you give yourself.

My goal as a teacher, and as an owner of a fitness center, is to get people to abandon these fixed mindsets and instead embrace a growth mindset. As a teacher, I ask students to add the word “yet” to the end of phrases. For example, if an elementary student says they are not a good artist, I ask them to add the word “yet” to the end of that phrase. While they may not see themselves as a stellar artist right now, with enough practice, they can improve and get better.

I see this fixed mindset most often times when it comes to health and healthcare. I hear phrases like, I’m not a runner, or I’m not a health nut, or This is just the way I am. Even people many consider to be “healthy” can have fixed mindsets. I’ll hear someone who really likes weightlifting say I’m not a runner or I’m not flexible enough to do yoga! I hear these things every day.

It is hard to embrace a growth mindset because it means that we need to be open to working at something. If you are not a runner yet, you may need to put in the time to try. If you are overweight because that’s just the way you are, you may need to put work into changing your eating habits. Adding the word yet to these commonly used phrases challenges people to work on areas that may need improvement. It isn’t always easy, and that is why these negative mindsets tend to stay fixed.

As summer approaches, we’d like to challenge you to take one or two areas of your life that need some improvement, and add the word yet to it this summer. If you don’t consider yourself an athlete, TRY. If you don’t eat healthy, TRY!

For some of you, you will need to “rip the band aid off”. If you want to become a healthy eater, that may mean you need to go buy all new groceries and literally throw away all the crap in your fridge.  If you are not a runner, you may need to find a friend to hold yourself accountable, put down some money on some good running shoes, sign up for a race, and start training. You may run 16 minute miles, but at least you are out there running! For others, it may work better to jump in gradually. Whatever the case, we encourage you to add the word yet, adopt a growth mindset, and start trying.

Below, I’ll list some awesome resources if you are looking for some resources to help you become a healthier, better version of yourself. Also, stay tuned for more information on a brand new weight loss program we are bringing to Redenius Chiropractic! We will bring you more information on that later!

Have a great week!

Dr. Jeff and Jenny Redenius

Resources for you:

Juice Plus provides 30 fruits and vegetables daily in the capsule or gummy format. This is a great way to get the fruits and veggies your body craves. They also make shakes and protein bars: http://jr95695.juiceplus.com

Thrive Market is a great place to get organic food, household supplies, etc. at a discounted price: http://thrv.me/JuuQtY

Here is a list of local running races in Iowa you can sign up for: http://www.runningintheusa.com/race/list/ia

If you are looking for a personal trainer to hold yourself accountable this summer, contact Redenius Chiropractic at 712-464-3301 to get set up with our trainer, Melissa Schleisman.

The Ultimate Health Podcast has great weekly guests that discuss holistic ways to improve your overall health and wellness. They discuss everything from eating to exercise to mental health: http://ultimatehealthpodcast.com/

You can also always call the clinic at 712-464-3301 and talk to Dr. Redenius about how he can help you achieve your goals!

These are just a few of the resources we recommend! Comment below if you have any more resources to share!