Taira Chiropractic

The holidays were full of fun and lots of “ono” food.  At times we can’t help but to go for seconds or try that savorydessert. I think we can all confess to the inevitable over eating.

Often, the holiday festivities leave us stuffed, bloated, over weight, and toxic. If you, or someone you know, canrelate to this, it may be a good time for a DETOX.

It’s that time of the year again! Time is scares, money is budgeted, and deadlines are approaching.  Stress, physically, mentally, and chemically are beginning to increase or are already at a high level.

As we all know, stress is the underlying cause to many, if not all, health problems. Think about when you get stressed. Your muscle tension increases, posture tightens, breathing becomes shallow, and blood pressure rises. These can all lead to major symptoms such as pain, headaches, poor sleep, and a depressed immune system.

So remember this holiday season to stay on track with your adjustments and keep your body and mind balanced through a health spine and fully flowing nerve system! Maybe take some time for yourself and add in a full massage therapy session to reduce the added stress as well. Do your best to fit in those workout sessions, stay hydrated, take your vitamins, and try to keep a positive and patient attitude towards the season.

Great health is simple, but not easy. Your healthy habits will combat the dreaded stress effects on your body. So do your best and have a great and healthy holiday season!

You see it everyday and maybe haven’t even noticed it!  Look at your co-worker at their computer. The person next to you in traffic. Check out your kids while playing video games.

It’s undeniable that a great night sleep is invaluable when it comes to your health physically and mentally. When you’re refreshed, you’re at your best!

Here are some tips to a great night of rest:

1. Moderate exercise – burn off that extra energy and mental work stress through daily workouts instead of letting it build.

2. Watch your sugar and caffeine intake – decrease or avoid substances that will stimulate your nervous system when trying to rest.

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to you and your staff for your expertise, sincerity, and efficiency.  While driving my Volkswagen to work approximately 30+ years ago, I was hit from behind and suffered severe whiplash symptoms.  Through the years, I was treated by various physicians who suggested I would need neck surgery.  However, because of the risk involved with a neck procedure, I decided against surgery.  Consequently, this decision led to chronic neck and shoulder pains, fatigue, and headaches.  On many occasions our daughter, Judith, suggested that I should make an appointment with you.  Reluctantly I did, but now I am so thankful for the opportunity to have made your acquaintance.  Since the first adjustment to my neck and spine, my persistent headaches have disappeared.  Dr. Taira, your professionalism, patience, and integrity are an asset to the field of chiropractic care in Hawaii.  Thank you.”     Richard K.

Look around and take a look at the posture people have.  Have you ever noticed a “wilting” or “leaning” forward posture of the shoulders and head?  It’s one of the most common things you’ll see, especially when sitting at the computer, of adults and children.

“Forward head” posture is a common culprit of neck pain, tension across the shoulders, headaches, carpal tunnel symptoms, respiratory problems, and decreased vitality/energy.

Chiropractic care is specialized in a natural and effective approach to combating the detrimental “forward head” posture.  Specific spinal adjustments are aimed to correct subluxations, spinal misalignments, and to correct postural issues.

If you have any questions about your posture and how it relates to your pain, please ask Dr. Taira at your next appointment.  And, if you know anyone who is experiencing these types of problems, please help us, help them, and give them our office number, 948-8722.  Feel good, live great!

Arthritis currently affects approximately 50 million adults as reported by the National Health Interview Survey.  The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease.  This type of arthritis is most common due to the misalignments of joints throughout the years.

Chiropractic care focuses on keeping joints in alignment thus maintaining their health and reducing degeneration.

In addition to chiropractic care, nutrition can play an essential role in reducing arthritis symptoms.  Here are a few natural suggestions to keep you away from the drugs used in the medical approach:

- Juicing :  Juicing leafy vegetables, carrots, celery, and red beets reduce inflammation of the joints by helping dissolve deposits around the joints and tissues.  *Drinking fresh pineapple juice can have similar effects.

- Calcium lactate:  Taken daily has been shown to decrease the effects of arthritis.  Take supplements at dinner and for at least 4 months for best results.

- Ginger and garlic:  Both are helpful in decreasing pain, inflammation, stiffness, and tendinitis.

- Sea bath:  Iodine is a naturally occurring substance in seawater which has been proven to help relieve the symptoms of arthritis.  A hot bath mixed with salt will do the trick at home.

Prevention and a natural approach to caring for the body is always the best and easiest path.  We hope these suggestions help you live a healthy and active lifestyle that you deserve.

Did mom know something that we didn’t when she told us to “sit up straight” or “don’t slouch”?  Maybe poor posture just looks bad, but studies show that it can significantly affect your overall health!

Posture is the body’s positioning against gravity.  Poor posture places added stress upon joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.  This leads to the early onset of chronic conditions such as arthritis, disc degeneration, chronic muscle pain, and nerve impingements.  With these conditions, a round of golf, a day at the mall shopping, or just playing with the kids becomes a painful task.

Other long term effects of bad posture are often not as obvious, but equally detrimental to a person’s vitality.  Effects, such as, decreased respiratory function, increased stress upon the cardiovascular system, and poor digestive function, all accelerate poor health.  These effects are a result of a poorly functioning nervous system, which is protected by the spine!  As the spine endures years of poor posture, the spinal cord and nerves that send vital messages, suffer damaging pressure.

From backpacks, to computer use, to driving, everything affects your posture.  Combat the negative affects with a combination of chiropractic adjustments, daily stretches, posture exercises, proper ergonomics and sleeping positions.