KIROSSAGE CHIROPRACTIC CENTER

At KIROSSAGE® CHIROPRACTIC CENTER, we know that true health involves physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness. That is why our goal is to not only correct physical ailments, but to also create an atmosphere for true relaxation, and to equip you with the knowledge needed to make effective choices that will better the quality of your life.


UNDERSTANDING STRESS

Stress is the body's response to a demand or pressure. Stress evokes the "fight or flight" reaction by releasing stress hormones into the body designed to give us sudden, quick reactions, extra strength, and endurance. When we don't respond to the stress response by moving quickly, using our strength, or taking advantage of the added endurance, our bodies are all geared up with no outlet for that energy. Muscles stay tense, causing spinal misalignment (subluxations). Blood pressure stays high. Breathing stays shallow. Cortisol and adrenaline travel through the body causing all kinds of problems when the body doesn't react the way it is being programmed to react. Daily pressures of modern living are the most common causes of stress, affecting millions of people each day.

Unrelieved stress can take an emotional as well as physical toll, in the form of anxiety, depression, lashing out, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleeplessness, fatigue, perpetual muscle tension that can cause headaches, trigger points, and subluxations. If you don't make lifestyle changes, stress can seriously damage physical health, psychological well-being and relationships with friends, family, coworkers, and most importantly, with yourself.


Below are just a few things that can help you manage your stress level.


*BUILDING A STRESS-PROOF MIND & BODY*

SLEEP

One of the first things to do to combat stress is to get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation causes increased irritability, anxiety, decreased ability to concentrate and understand information, forgetfulness, increased likelihood of making mistakes, slower reaction times and a suppressed immune system.

•Get to bed with a peaceful mind. Skip the evening news. It's nothing but a list of disasters that are happening around the world. Instead, every night, think of three things in your day that you are thankful for.

•Eat a light, early dinner high in tryptophan. Tryptophan encourages the production of serotonin, which induces sleep. Foods high in tryptophan include milk, turkey, peanut butter, rice, tuna, dates, figs and yogurt. Large meals are upsetting to your digestive system and can keep you awake.

•Get enough exercise. A well-exercised body will fall asleep faster, sleep longer, and sleep more productively.

•Remember, sleeping is getting something done. While you sleep your body is busy healing, recharging by conserving energy, growing and regenerating cells, consolidating memory, and discharging emotions through dreams.

NUTRITION

Build a healthy body that is able to combat stress by feeding it a healthy, well balanced diet, packed with vitamins and minerals.

•Vitamins C, E, beta carotene, selenium and zinc are antioxidants that can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and can slow the aging process. Antioxidants can be found in citrus fruits, broccoli, tomatoes, leafy greens, and dark orange, yellow and red vegetables.

•B vitamins boost immunity, improve skin quality, protect against cancer, help arthritis symptoms, and produce energy. You can find B vitamins in: Milk, whole grains, fish, eggs, pork, brown rice, and vegetables.

•Calcium maintains bone mass, reduces sensitivity to pain, calms nerves, helps prevent arthritis, and helps prevent muscle cramps. Calcium rich foods include: milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, and peas.

EXERCISE

Exercise may be one of the most perfect stress management tools, yet it's often the first thing people eliminate in a "busy" schedule. Don't fall into this trap! Exercise accomplishes three important things in the wake of the "fight or flight" stress response. One, the extra energy available to your body is used, signaling the body that it can, after exercise, return to equilibrium. Two, exercise releases chemicals like beta endorphins that specifically counteract the effects of stress hormones, alerting the body that the danger has passed and the relaxation response can begin. Three, you'll lose weight. That means you'll feel better about your self-image, you'll take that detrimental weight off your joints, and you'll decrease the chance of physical ailments. Try any of the following.

•Walk. Walk at a brisk pace for thirty to sixty minutes at least three times each week. It's easy, fun, free, and can get you out in the fresh air!

•Swim. For those of you with joint problems, or have a lot of weight to lose, thirty to sixty minutes (3-4 times a week) of steady swimming may be the answer.

•Yoga/Stretching. Yoga is an excellent way to increase strength, flexibility, posture, circulation, and overall body conditioning. It's also great for people who have a hard time slowing things down.

•Outdoor exercise. Get out there and walk, jog, run, bicycle, roller blade, or hike. Exercise outside, for just a little while each day, can also help to keep you in touch with the natural world, which helps to put things in perspective.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

It's a scientific fact that your brain, spinal cord and the rest of your nerves control every aspect of your body. Hinder the vital nerve links between your brain and your body, and ill health can result. A common source of interference comes from the moving bones that encase the
"information super highway" of your spinal cord. Nerve pressure can cause numbness, weakness or the under-performance of organs and tissues. Or, spinal misalignment can cause nerve tissue to stretch, chafe or become irritated. This can distort nerve messages between your brain and your body. The result? Hyperactive or hypoactive organ function, high blood pressure, muscle spasms or pain, fatigue, headaches, etc.

The focus of Chiropractic Care is on the integrity of your nervous system. A thorough examination helps locate areas of nervous system compromise. The moving bones of the spine are common culprits. Then, specific chiropractic adjustments help reduce these interferences. The intent is to restore your body's ability to regulate and heal itself. Without drugs. Without surgery.