Holiday Detoxing

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.
What is detoxing? It’s a natural way to help your body get rid of “the leftovers” that builds up throughout your digestive system. Detoxing aids in jump starting weight loss, improves energy levels, boosts your immune system, and reduces your risk of digestive problems.

The Colonix Advanced Internal Cleansing Program is an all natural digestive cleansing program designed to cleanse and rid the body of toxic build up.  It’s an easy to follow, 1-3 month process that will leave you feeling better than ever and a new you for 2012!
To start your detox, give us a call at #948-8722 or stop into our office to get your Colonix Kit today!

16

01 2012

Holiday Stress

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!

07

12 2011

Runner’s Knee

Exercise is an essential part of staying healthy. There’s nothing worse than having pain stop you from your health goals.
Runner’s knee is a common problem that plagues many that participate in activities such as running/jogging, long distance walking, hiking, or biking.  The repetitive impact over a period of time wears on the skeletal structure and the overworked muscles.
Runner’s knee is identified by gradual knee pain with no trauma.  Pain is usually on the outer aspect of the knee.  The most common underlying problem is tightness of the IT (iliotibial) band, which starts at the hip and runs down the outside part of the leg to the tibia, or just below the knee.  Pelvic joint alignment is also essential to keeping the pressure from building on one knee verses the other.
Chiropractic care is an effective way to correct and prevent runner’s knee and treat an overused IT band.  If you, or someone you know, has suffered from this problem, like those training for the marathon, give us a call today to schedule your chiropractic tune-up!
Feel good, live great.

01

11 2011

Posture Decay

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.

Yes, that’s it! The head slumping out in front of the body as the shoulders roll forward.  An everyday posture that plagues us causing neck pain, pain across the shoulders, shoulder joint pain, headaches, migraines, carpal tunnel syndrome, fatigue, sleep problems, and many other symptoms.

This is a result of spinal and nerve pressure that builds as the posture decays. Muscles become tired, over-worked, and painful. The longer this problem is present the worse it gets and the harder it becomes to correct.

Chiropractors are specialist of the spinal care and help battle the effects of forward head posture. Because adults and children alike suffer from this detrimental posture, everyone can benefit from chiropractic care.

If there are any questions on how to take of this problem, ask Dr. Taira at your next visit, or call us today to schedule an appointment.

16

10 2011

Sound sleep and chiropractic

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.

3. Consistent sleep and wake time – your body works on a clock and the regular times help it “shut down” and “re-boot” more efficiently.

4. Morning music – wake up to soothing music in the morning instead of an annoying alarm clock buzzing; this allows you to keep the stress levels low first thing while rising.

5. Proper sleeping positions – using pillows to help your spine’s alignment will create less pressure throughout the night and help you wake up pain-free.

6. Time limit on naps – daytime napping can be helpful to recharge, but put a time limit on naps, about 30 to 45 minutes.

7. Make a list – lot on your mind?  Make a list of your thoughts or “to do” items.

8. Avoid the TV – watching or just having the television on in the room while attempting to sleep continuously stimulates the brain while it’s trying to “shut down”.

9. Avoid sleep drugs – these chemical substances are highly addictive and come with many side-effects.  Avoid at all cost!

10. Valerian root or Melatonin supplement – these are natural elements that are known to create a calming effect on the nervous system in route to a good rest.

11. Get your chiropractic adjustment – it helps to reduce the pressure upon your nervous system, which regulates your sleep, and decreases pain that disturbs your ability to get your zzz’s.

10

08 2011

Exercise and Chiropractic

Getting back into shape and reducing pain!

How many of you want to be in shape?  Being in shape looks good and feels good!  But, we all know it does require some type of physical activity, whether cardio, weight training, or a combination of both.

Here’s a few tips for safety, longevity, and performance of getting back into shape:

1. Get adjusted – If you’re about to push your body physically, wouldn’t you want to make sure your body is balanced and aligned?  Chiropractic adjustments will reduce injury risks, decrease recovery time (the amount of time in pain after workouts!), and increase your body’s performance levels.  If it’s been a while since you’ve worked out, don’t kid yourself and max your body out without thinking about the consequences… PAIN!

2. Strrrretch – Having a stretching program is essential to a workout program.  One of the main reasons people experience pain or get hurt is not stretching.  Without stretching you increase stress on the joints and muscle resulting in overuse injuries.

3. Triple “R” days – Rest, recover, reassess!  Weekly rest days are vital to allow for proper recovery physically and mentally.  Reassess how your progress is going and make necessary changes.  A workout program without rest days may eventually turn into burn out days.

07

07 2011

“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.

10

06 2011

Posture and Pain!

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!

02

06 2011

Reduce Arthritis symptoms

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.

02

05 2011

Can posture affect your health?

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.

08

04 2011