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WHOLE FOODS ARE A WHOLE LOT BETTER

By  Dr. Jon Thomas D.C PSc.D, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.

Processed foods are bad. Period. But processed foods dominate the American diet. Approximately 70% of the U.S. diet to be exact. What exactly is processed food? This sometimes causes confusion, but it’s actually pretty simple. Processed foods have been chemically altered and usually consist of a long list of ingredients that you cannot pronounce nor be able to purchase in a grocery store. You definitely wouldn’t have those ingredients in your kitchen. 
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Do you have a box of macaroni and cheese in your pantry? Does cheese usually come in powdered form? Do you have low-fat cheese or yogurt in your refrigerator? These products go through an extensive process that removes the fat while chemicals are added to simulate the texture and flavor of the natural fat.

Processed foods are usually loaded with added sugar, or even worse, high fructose corn syrup. It’s pretty well known by now that sugar, taken in excess, wreaks havoc on your body. Sugar consumption is linked to some of the most deadly diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and obesity, to name a few.

The problem is, processed foods often taste good and can lead to addiction. Eating highly processed food can artificially simulate dopamine (the pleasure chemical), which entices you to come back for more. You are in essence, eating foods with little nutritive value, this gives you a happy feeling which in turn, makes you crave more.

Processed foods are made for long shelf life, not long human life. Most highly processed foods have little to no nutritive value and are basically empty calories. (You’d be better off eating the box in many instances.) The result is that processed foods are making Americans sick and obese. Did you know when Western junk food and fast-food restaurants are introduced to other cultures, those countries, see higher rates of heart disease and other chronic illnesses? It’s time to stop the madness and say no to processed food.

WHAT ARE WHOLE FOODS ANYWAY? 
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Whole foods are edibles that have not been refined or processed, or have undergone very little refining or processing. They are mostly found in their natural state, with the exception of dairy products. They don’t contain unnatural, harmful additives that are not meant for consumption. They typically contain fewer calories and more nutrients than their processed counterparts, so you can consume more and maintain a healthy diet. Take a stroll around the perimeter of your grocery store because that’s where you will discover the world of whole foods.

Plant-based whole foods can be divided into several categories: vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds and grains. Meat and fish that have not been processed provide many nutrients and balance out a healthy diet.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EATING WHOLE FOODS?

Eating fresh, whole foods as part of your daily diet results in a lower risk of many types of cancer and chronic diseases, promotes healthy aging and higher energy levels while reducing the risk of obesity. Whole foods are packed with more nutrients, including vitamins and minerals that your body needs to run efficiently. Your body does not have to work as hard to process whole foods, which slows the aging process. Whole foods are fresher, taste better and frankly, look much more appealing.

ANTIOXIDANTS AND PHYTONUTRIENTS 
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Whole foods contain antioxidants. Antioxidants are chemicals that can prevent or slow cell damage. Natural antioxidants are mainly found in fruits, vegetables, legumes and other whole foods. They contain a spectrum of powerful antioxidants including vitamins C and E, and phytonutrients which protect the plant as well as you. The brighter the color of the fruit or vegetable, the more phytonutrients it contains and the better it is for you. Think bright red tomatoes, deep purple blueberries and dark green leafy kale.

FIBER

Most whole, plant-based foods are rich in fiber which is an essential component in any healthy diet. It can help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. High fiber foods tend to contain more nutrients, less calories, and help you feel full faster. Fiber slows the absorption of sugar in your body, keeping the blood sugar at reasonable levels rather than spiking up and down. Next time you dine out, skip the mashed potatoes and ask for the broccoli instead. You’ll be glad you did.

NO MORE BAD FATS

Eating a diet of rich, whole foods helps you to eliminate the bad fats that are found in processed foods and many fast food establishments. These bad fats are major contributors to obesity and heart disease. You don’t want them and you don’t need them. Stick with fatty fish (salmon anyone?), flaxseeds and almonds rich in Omega 3’s to keep your heart healthy.

YOU NEED TO MAKE THE TIME 
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If you’re like most people, you work non-stop and only have time to nuke a processed dinner full of fat, sugar and additives. Maybe you believe adding meat to your Hamburger Helper is cooking. Really? A little planning goes a long way toward incorporating whole foods into your diet. You may even enjoy it.

Plan your meals for the week on the weekend. Get the family in on it. The menu doesn’t have to be set in stone, but it does have to include a majority of whole foods. List everything you will need and go on a shopping extravaganza.

Cook at least one recipe (like vegetarian chili) in a large quantity and freeze it in smaller containers to eat on alternate days. Cut up fresh vegetables with seasonings and store in freezer bags to keep them fresh. How about some string beans, fresh garlic and sliced almonds? Marinate chicken breasts in olive oil, lemon juice, fresh garlic and parsley, and freeze them. Take them out the day before you need them and they’ll be ready to sauté when you come home from work. (YouTube is a treasure trove for healthy, easy to prepare meals.)

THE LITTLE THINGS YOU CAN DO

Incorporating more whole foods into your diet, is a good way to start.
  •             Eat a green, leafy salad with dinner. Make it a staple of your diet.
  •             Add tender, leafy greens like spinach, arugula or watercress to sandwiches. Add a sliced tomato or thinly cut julienned peppers.
  •             Add sautéed greens like broccoli rabe or swiss chard to pasta. Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Delicious.
  • Look up one new vegetable based recipe a week and experiment with it.


And there you have it. You’re on your way to a healthier, happier you by eating foods that your body needs to perform at its maximum efficiency. I bet you can’t wait to start.

This article extols the benefits of eating a fresh, whole foods diet. Processed foods make people sick and overweight. Whole foods provide the nutrients you need to live a healthy life and reduce the risk of many deadly diseases that are often caused by a diet consisting of highly processed foods with chemical additives.

Thank you for stopping by to visit us online.

Until the next time.

If you found this article useful, or are inspired to make a change, please share it with your friends, family and co-workers. Take the time to visit our testimonials page on our website and don’t forget we are a full service chiropractic office that is here to help you deal with pain as well. If you have a comment you would like to express about this article, please leave it in the comment section of this blog.


Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician, his interest in health started at an early age resulting from an athletic life, including BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weight Lifting, and Martial Arts. After learning from top health experts in the world, Dr. Thomas’s life is dedicated to reaching people of all ages to begin their life transformation. The goal is to start the body healing resulting in a body that is functioning at its optimal.  In addition to serving his community in his Mandarin Based Practice, Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV’s First Coast Living talking about his patient’s transformations, speaking at events throughout the community, and writing articles to re-shape the health of the Jacksonville Community.


IS YOUR CHIROPRACTOR JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED?

By  Dr. Jon Thomas D.C PSc.D, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.

You are so done with medications and don’t want to join the 70 percent of Americans who are on some form of prescription meds. The medications are treating the symptoms from your injury (Back, Neck, or other), but the problem still exists, along with the pain. 

Courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org
Something is painfully wrong when the real issue is not being addressed. There must be a better approach to your health and well-being. 

You’ve heard of chiropractic care but don’t have full knowledge of all that is involved. How do you choose the best chiropractor?

GET A RECOMMENDATION

Make certain they understand you are seeking a professional who shares your philosophy of health and healing. Ask candid questions about the doctor, the fees, the staff, the services offered, availability and waiting times. Someone who knows you and the doctor well will most likely have the insight as to whether you and the chiropractor would be a good fit.

MEET THE DC

Check to see when you can meet the chiropractor for an initial interview. Many chiropractors will meet you for an initial consultation in order to examine you and have a discussion regarding your condition. Make productive use of this visit because the relationship you will have with the doctor could be one that lasts a lifetime.

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY

Do you sense the doctor is honest and confident? Good chiropractors will be confident in their successes with other patients and be able to tell you how they treated other patients with issues similar to yours. The Chiropractor should be honest with you from the start as to the modalities to be used in your treatment regimen.  If the doctor begins to make promises before treating you, then your warning bell should go off.

REFERENCES ANYONE?

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Will the doctor give you references? A good chiropractor will be happy to give you names of satisfied clients and they should have many of them. Utilize this resource as this might be one of the best ways to determine if this is the right doctor for you.

IS THE DOCTOR HEALTHY? 

Does the doctor look healthy? If the chiropractor is committed to wellness, they will also lead a healthy lifestyle and it should show. A great chiropractor will take a holistic approach to health and healing. The doctor should extol the benefits of nutrition and nutrients, fitness and of course, a healthy spinal system. You want a chiropractor who leads by example.

THE COMFORT ZONE

Do you feel like you “click” with the doctor? Well, you should. You will be entering into a very special, potentially long-term relationship with this person and it’s essential you feel comfortable and relaxed. Does the doctor speak down to you or do you sense they are rushing? The chiropractor should be a coach and a mentor, someone you can confide in and trust. If you don’t get that vibe, then move on to the next one.

THE TECHNIQUES 
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Unlike traditional medicine, there is a much wider range of acceptable approaches and types of treatments in chiropractic. Some doctors perform joint manipulation with their hands only, while others use various instruments. The manipulative techniques also matter in a big way. Some people may prefer the “joint-popping” manual manipulation technique while others can’t even say those two words in the same sentence. There are a number of options out there and some chiropractors only use a low-force chiropractic technique.

Each specific technique can work wonders on a patient, but no single technique will be a magic cure for everyone. With that in mind, if a chiropractor guarantees that a single technique surpasses all others, then you might want to start another search for another qualified chiropractor.

A FEW MORE QUESTIONS

  • Will the doctor work collaboratively with your primary care physician? 
  • What services are provided in the clinic? 
  • Would the doctor be willing to refer you to a specialist if necessary? 
  • What should you expect during the first visit? 
  • What is the chiropractor’s education and training? 
  • Why does the chiropractor use specific techniques? 
  • How many years has the doctor practiced? 
  • Does the doctor have experience treating your specific problem? 

THE DECISION’S BEEN MADE- THE FIRST VISIT

You’ve made the decision. You feel comfortable and decide this is the doctor for you. Great! So what happens next?

YOUR HISTORY

The element that mirrors a standard medical intake is the gathering of information bout your health history. You will fill out a health questionnaire and answer many questions about your medical history, your family medical history, prior injuries, existing conditions, current health providers and treatments. The more questions asked, the better the chance your chiropractor will be able to help you overcome your issues.

YOUR SYMPTOMS

Now it is time for the chiropractor to find more about what ails you. Some of the questions they may typically ask are:

  • When and how did the pain start? 
  • Where is it located? 
  • Describe the pain. Is it sharp, dull, burning, or throbbing? 
  • Does it come and go or is it continual? 
  • Did the pain start as a result of an injury? 
  • What activities or circumstances make it better or worse? 

(http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/what-expect-first-chiropractic-consultation)

Many chiropractors will also have a chart of the human body where you can pinpoint where the pain exists.

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THE PHYSICAL EXAM 

The chiropractor will start with a standard physical exam, then follow up with an exam that focuses on the spine, with precise attention given to the distressed area. Additional tests may be given to determine the range of motion of the affected area as well as muscle tone and muscle strength.

The chiropractor will take x-rays of the spine and the affected area to study its condition and the surrounding soft tissues. This will give the doctor a better understanding of how to develop a treatment plan.

THE TREATMENT PLAN

After the extensive assessments, the chiropractor will be armed with enough information to devise your treatment plan. It should incorporate your goals, whether you simply seek relief from your discomfort or desire to begin a complete health care regimen.
The treatment plan should also take into account the extent of your injury or area of irritation as well as your general health. As part of the plan, the doctor will take into account the condition of your spine as it has been affected by age or injury.

THE END OF THE VISIT

The findings from the initial visit should give a good chiropractor the ability to make a diagnosis that will determine whether the condition can be treated with chiropractic care. At the end of the visit, the doctor will explain the diagnosed condition, the personalized treatment plan and the approximate length of chiropractic care needed to treat the condition.
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A good chiropractor may also send you home with written information about your condition so you can conduct some research before making a decision. 

If you are adverse to pain medication and want a holistic approach to healing what ails you, visiting a chiropractor may be the best decision you will ever make for your overall health and well-being. I’ve provided you with an arsenal of information to ensure you will be able to find the best chiropractor for your individual needs.

Thank you for taking the time to visit us online.

Until the next time.

In this article I have talked about how to choose a good chiropractor. I cover various criteria used to select the right chiropractor for you and explain the basics of the first visit, examination and  treatment plan.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your friends, family and co-worker. Take the time to visit our testimonials page on our website and don’t forget we are a full service chiropractic office that is here to help you deal with pain as well. If you have a comment you would like to express about this article, please leave it in the comment section of this blog.

Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician, his interest in health started at an early age resulting from an athletic life, including BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weight Lifting, and Martial Arts. After learning from top health experts in the world, Dr. Thomas’s life is dedicated to reaching people of all ages to begin their life transformation. The goal is to start the body healing resulting in a body that is functioning at its optimal.  In addition to serving his community in his Mandarin Based Practice, Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV’s First Coast Living talking about his patient’s transformations, speaking at events throughout the community, and writing articles to re-shape the health of the Jacksonville Community. You can visit Vibrant Life Health Center by clock on this link.

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NUTRIMOST PROVES LESS IS MORE

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By  Dr. Jon Thomas D.C PSc.D, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.
Did you know that more than one third of Americans are considered to be obese? It’s an epidemic that is getting worse. The estimated annual health care costs associated with illnesses borne from obesity are a whopping $192 billion! Even worse is the fact that it is preventable. 

We live in an instant gratification society where most people don’t take enough time to do the things that are best for their bodies and minds. Did you know that one in four Americans claims to eat some type of fast food daily, even though they know it may not be the most healthy or nutritious option?

If you are looking to realize a happier, healthier life, you need to consider making a few lifestyle changes. Here’s how it can be done.

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STOP THE FAD DIETS 

Americans are notorious for yo-yo dieting and jumping on the latest weight loss bandwagon. Most people typically lose a few pounds in the beginning, then go right back to their old eating habits. In fact, recent studies show that fad diets have a 92% failure rate! It’s impossible to change your metabolism by just counting the number of calories you can consume in a day, especially when you consider that pre-packaged foods are not whole foods. They are frozen, salt and sugar repositories that are far from ideal for your health.

The weight loss pill industry produces between $20 and $40 billion in revenue annually. That’s a lot of dieters. The FDA does not regulate over-the-counter diet pills, so there is no way of really knowing what they contain. Many have ingredients that increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Why take the chance when you can change your lifestyle by taking a natural, healthy approach that truly addresses the issue?

ENTER NUTRIMOST

NutriMost can be the first step to becoming a healthier you. It’s based on the Five Essentials of Weight Loss created by Dr. Ray Wisniewski, the founder and creator of the NutriMost Ultimate Fat Loss System.

THE FIVE QUINTESSENTIALS

  1. Hydrate, cleanse and balance pH
  2. Nutritional detoxification
  3. Personalized based on hormones and body type
  4. Doctor supervised and personalized
  5. Proprietary System set to reset the hypothalamus and weight set point
  Through the NutriMost system you will learn: (www.nutrimostjacksonville.com)

      How to give your body the best chance to overcome nearly every condition
      How to leverage energy created by your DNA- and how it can assist healing
      How to decrease your healing time by 66%
      How to get the best sleep and turn your adrenals and your energy on
      How the five essentials of healing can totally change the way you look at how your body heals

      The diet that heals on a cellular basis

BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY- THE SCAN

The first step starts with a scan. This is a pretty advanced technology, so I’ll give you a little insight into how this is done. Utilizing NFR Technology, the Nutrimost Ultimate Fat Loss Scan, we can zero in on nearly every factor of fat burning, fat storage and fat metabolism. Essentially the NRF technology takes a hormonal “snapshot” of your chemical responses and determines the exact program a person needs to follow to reach the ultimate fat burning state. This provides the ability to personalize a program that will help bring your body back to a state of self-healing and optimum health.

THE RIGHT FOODS AND NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS 


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A holistic approach to health is our philosophy at the Vibrant Life Health Center. As determined by your personal profile, nutritional supplemental drops will be added to your regimen to correct any imbalances and stabilize your system so your body can heal itself.
Whole, fresh foods are vital to any sound nutritional program and NutriMost is no exception. The foods you can and can’t eat will be prescribed from your individual assessment. Say no to pre-packaged foods. You don’t need them and you won’t want them (anymore).  Keep in mind, this is a process to enrich your body and bring it back to optimum health and your optimum weight.

FOLLOW THE RULES

NutriMost works! That is, if you follow the personalized plan designed specifically for you. You won’t be hungry because the NutriMost system is giving you what your body needs to function properly. The harmful toxins in your body will be whisked away while your hormones are balanced, enabling you to lose the weight you desire. With a little work and fortitude, it is possible to lose 20 pounds or more in just 40 days. That’s right, just 40 days.

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The NutriMost system is one of the safest, most effective weight loss programs available today. That’s because it was created by a doctor.  Dr. Ray Wisniewski is the creator and founder of the NutriMost Ultimate Fat Loss System. He created a weight loss plan that is designed to guide you every step of the way. Dr. Thomas will also keep in touch with you on a daily basis to help keep you on track.

THE CLIENTS- THE TESTIMONIALS

Don’t take my word for it, click on the link below where you can see how NutriMost has helped many people achieve their weight loss goals while improving their quality of life.  Then you too will see that when it comes to taking control of your health, less is more.

http://nutrimostjacksonville.com/video-testimonials

In this article I have talked about the obesity epidemic we are experiencing in the US and how the NutriMost weigh loss system provides a natural and healthy way to achieve fat loss. This system allows you to begin the journey back to health in as little as 40 days.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your friends, family and co-worker. Take the time to visit our testimonials page on our website and don’t forget we are a full service chiropractic office that is here to help you deal with pain as well. If you have a comment you would like to express about this article please leave it in the comment section of this blog.

Thanks for taking the time to visit with us online.

Until next time.


Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician, his interest in health started at an early age resulting from an athletic life including BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weight Lifting, and Martial Arts. After learning from top health experts in the world, Dr. Thomas’s life is dedicated to reaching people of all ages to begin their life transformation. The goal is to start the body healing resulting in a body that is functioning at its optimal.  In addition to serving his community in his Mandarin Based Practice, Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV’s First Coast Living talking about his patient’s transformations, speaking at events throughout the community, and writing articles to re-shape the health of the Jacksonville Community.

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GETTING TO KNOW CHIROPRACTIC AND ALTERNATIVE CARE


By  Dr. Jon Thomas D.C PSc.D or Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.
Courtesy of www.mtwholehealth.com


Have you ever wondered what the real differences are between so call conventional medicine and what is being referred to as alternative medicine? Well, that’s exactly what this article will spell out. We want to help you see the real distinctions between the way conventional medicine treats a patient's malady and what chiropractic care provides.  Here are a couple of quotes that spell out the basics of the alternative approach.

“The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” (Thomas A. Edison“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” (Benjamin Franklin) 

It seems Mr. Edison and Mr. Franklin were on the same page regarding preventative care. The modern version of the Hippocratic Oath speaks to the same vision.  Yet conventional medicine typically focuses on the treatment of symptoms. Let’s read it to find out.
“I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and
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gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow. I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism. I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug. I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.” (Louis Lasagna)
These forward thinkers and bygone physicians had similar philosophies that promoted better health by prevention. Fast forward to today and nearly 70% of all Americans take prescription drugs. According to a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, the most commonly prescribed prescription drugs are antibiotics, antidepressants and painkillers. (http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/) The modern  trend is clearly to treat the symptoms of bigger issues and is far removed from prevention. What happened along the way?
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There are many differences between the way a patient receives treatment with conventional medicine and the way an alternative care practitioner approaches the same patient. One of the fundamental differences is conventional medicine focuses on disease and alternative medicine focuses on the whole individual. So let us look at these differences in more detail.
Modern conventional medicine treats disease and the resulting symptoms with drugs and surgery. One of the greatest strengths of conventional medicine is to accurately diagnose disease and treat its symptoms. The technology in the operating room had progressed light years in the past decade or so and many people have benefited from this. People can see better with laser surgery and walk with hip replacements and prosthetic legs. Conventional medicine has developed powerful drugs to fight infectious diseases that have saved many lives. If you get hit by a truck, end up in the emergency room and live to tell about it, you can thank the hard-working physicians and scientists who developed the emergency medicine techniques we have today.
CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS - IS IT TOO MUCH?
"Many doctors are quick to prescribe a drug, partly because they have limited time to deal with individual patients or because they and their patients have been bombarded with ads from the pharmaceutical industry." (MSNBC, Archives of Internal Medicine)
We are living in a culture where the belief is to “take a pill for what ails you.” The United States is
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commonly referred to as the Medication Nation by those who live abroad. The common notion that prescription drugs are safe and illicit drugs are dangerous is simply not true. Prescription drug abuse is an epidemic in our culture. According to the Center for Disease Control, 44 Americans die from an overdose from prescription drugs daily, and many more become addicted. Pain killers are among the most commonly prescribed, they are also amongst the most addictive.
This is where conventional medicine fails. Conventional medicine focuses on crisis intervention and is generally less effective in treating chronic illness. It’s great if you have a broken leg and need it treated immediately, but when it comes to chronic illness, there may be more to the big picture than simply prescribing a pill.
THE WHOLE YOU
You are a product of your lifestyle and environment. Your health is a lifestyle process. It is based on the foods you eat, your exercise regimen, your stress level, the amount of sleep you get and more. Your body alignment also has a huge impact on the way your body functions. There is a synergy between the mind and all the organs in your body and they need to be addressed holistically, rather than separately. Chronic illnesses such as arthritis and fibromyalgia are best treated with a holistic approach with chiropractic and alternative methods.
Chiropractic and alternative medicine also takes into account a person's nutrition and lifestyle choices. It's rare that a conventional MD takes a close look at a patients’ nutritional, sleep and workout habits. Chiropractors on the other hand, do this regularly because they look at the whole person (because the body is directly influenced by the spiritual, nutritional and structural aspects of our lives).
CHIROPRACTIC AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE = PREVENTATIVE CARE
The nervous system is the control center of your body and consists of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral
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nerves. Chiropractic care is dedicated to restoring the body’s ability to regulate and heal itself by correcting interference to the nervous system. A properly aligned spinal cord means a healthier you. The spinal column is like a switching center that allows the brain to monitor and coordinate all the functions of every cell and organ in your body. A chiropractor’s approach is to locate and remove interference to your nervous system, thus ensuring there is nothing impeding the flow of traffic.
STAND UP STRAIGHT-KEEP YOUR SPINE HEALTHY
A healthy spine will allow the nervous system to transmit information by protecting it from stress. If one of the vertebrae in your spine is not in the proper position, it can create swelling, inflammation and eventually nerve stress. This condition is called vertebral subluxation and can wreak havoc on your nervous system, your body and your health. Spinal trauma can occur through obvious things such as falling, playing rough sports or car accidents. But bad posture or sitting at a computer all day can also have cumulative effects that cause a subluxation.
A chiropractic adjustment is somewhat of an art form. The chiropractor applies force or pressure in a
specific direction to a joint that is subluxated. The objective is to reduce the subluxation, which will increase the range of motion and reduce the nerve stress.
You don’t have to be hurting to see a chiropractor. Remember, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Subluxation can occur over time and if you do sit at a desk all day or realize you don’t have perfect posture, then it would be wise to make an appointment to see your chiropractor. Your spine will thank you.
A WINNING COMBINATION- CHIROPRACTIC CARE AND A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Chiropractic is one of many alternative medical therapies along with Acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, Naturopathic medicine and more. These practices approach the whole mind, body and spirit as an organism, rather than treating individual organs or attacking symptoms.
Alternative medical practitioners (AMP’s for the purposes of this article) see pain as a warning sign of imbalance in the body. It may be that you are doing something wrong, rather than there is something wrong. You may be eating the wrong foods, not sleeping enough, sleeping with the wrong pillow or have too much stress in your life. You may have suffered and injury in an accident in the past and never received treatment for that injury.

Check out this short testimonial video.
A qualified chiropractor generally spends more time with their patients than a traditional physician who gets paid for how many patients they see and how many procedures they perform. Communication is essential in any patient-practitioner relationship and quality time spent in the traditional doctor’s office seems to be eroding. A good AMP will listen to the patient and look for the “story behind the story.” This approach encourages patient participation and patient empowerment.
A PLAN CUSTOMIZED FOR YOU
At Vibrant Life Health Center, our mission is to get to the root of a person’s health issues and allow the body to heal itself naturally. Through a combination of chiropractic techniques, nutritional and supplemental advice, catered to your individual needs, we empower people to make the move to a healthier, pain-free life.
In this article we have discussed the many differences between conventional medicine (aka allopathic medicine) and that practiced by alternative practitioners like chiropractors. This article covers the differences in focus between the two disciplines and expands on the benefits of treating people as a whole person, verses focusing on treating disease and symptoms.
If you found this article useful, pass it on to your friends, family and co-workers. Please take the time to visit our website and connect with us via Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.
Thanks for visiting with us, until next time.


Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician, his interest in health started at an early age resulting from an athletic life including BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weight Lifting, and Martial Arts. After learning from top health experts in the world, Dr. Thomas’s life is dedicated to reaching people of all ages to begin their life transformation. The goal is to start the body healing resulting in a body that is functioning at it’s optimal.  In addition to serving his community in his Mandarin Based Practice, Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV’s First Coast Living talking about his patient’s transformations, speaking at events throughout the community, and writing articles to re-shape the health of the Jacksonville Community.


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