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When Good Exercise Goes Bad, Part 2

Common Sports Injuries and How To Avoid Them

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

Courtesy Pixabay
As I mentioned in my previous blog post, exercise is generally a healthy activity. However, if exercises aren’t done correctly, injuries can result. Overuse and strain cause the most common sports related injuries. Repetitive activity can cause wear and tear on the ankles, knees, shoulders, and elbows.
In my previous post, I mentioned some of the most common injuries related to exercise and provided tips on how to avoid them. Running causes more injuries than any other exercise. Other common exercises that can cause injuries include biking, dance (including high impact aerobics), tennis, basketball, gymnastics, football, soccer, and skating.
Here are a few more common injuries related to exercise.

Shin Splints

Shin splints are pains in the muscles near the shins. Running is the most frequent cause of shin splints. Shin splints are also common for people who spend long periods of time on their feet, such as dancers, athletes, and soldiers. Shin splints are most commonly caused by running and jumping on hard surfaces. People who are unaccustomed to rigorous exercise can suffer from shin splints. People who routinely exercise may also experience shin splints when they switch shoes, run on harder surfaces, or increase the intensity of their workout.
Courtesy Wikimedia
The muscle responsible for raising the arch of the foot attaches to the shin bone on the inner side of the middle third of the shin. The foot arch collapses with each foot strike, pulling on the tendon that comes from this muscle. When this happens repetitively, the arch pulls muscle fiber from the shin bone. There is bleeding around the lining of the bone accompanied by pain.
The key to preventing shin splints is good arch support to prop up the foot and prevent excessive pull on the tendons. It’s very important to have good shoes and to warm up before exercising. Pay particular attention to stretching the calf muscles. Running on a surface softer than asphalt, like grass or cross country running trails, can help to prevent shin splints.

Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles heel tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It is located in the back of the ankle. Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of this tendon. Frequent jumping in basketball or volleyball can cause this form of tendonitis. The pain from a torn Achilles tendon can feel like a gunshot in the leg.
When Achilles Tendonitis occurs, the first step to healing is to minimize physical activity and strenuous exercise until it feels better. Icing the affected tendon several times a day can provide relief. When a person with Achilles tendonitis begins to feel better, he or she can slowly return to gently stretching the tendon. Then the person can progressively return to normal exercise. 

Foot Arch Pain

Courtesy Wikimedia
The plantar fascia is an elastic covering on the sole of the foot. It is a shock-absorbing pad which holds up the arch. When it becomes inflamed, the condition is called plantar fasciitis. It causes a dull ache along the length of the arch.
Plantar fasciitis is due to over-stretching or partially tearing the arch pad. People with rigid and high arches experience this condition most frequently. When they put weight on their feet or push off for the next stride, they feel pain. The pain can be particularly intense upon arising in the morning or after sitting for a period of time.
Good arch support prevents the arch from collapsing and the plantar fascia from stretching. Arch supports can even be placed in slippers and worn as soon as a person rises in the morning. Going barefoot without support can stretch the plantar fascia in just a few steps. Arch supports can relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis within a few days.
Maintaining a healthy weight, doing warm-up exercises, and good arch support are the keys to avoiding foot injuries. If there is an injury, low impact exercises are best while the foot is recovering. It’s important to give the foot arch adequate time to heal before returning to strenuous exercise.

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures are tiny hairline fractures or cracks that occur in weight-bearing bones, like the femur and tibia. This type of injury can occur after intense and prolonged exercise. The best way to avoid stress fractures is to wear well-made athletic shoes that fit properly and provide effective support and cushioning. Rather than doing too much exercise too fast, gradually increasing the intensity of workouts will help to avoid excessive stress on the bones.

Rotator Cuff

Rotator cuff muscles hold the shoulder together and enable the shoulder to move with precision. These shoulder muscles are called supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor. Shoulders have shallow sockets and lack ligament strength. Weakness in the rotator cuff muscles enables the head of the shoulder to slide around in the joint.
Sports like softball, tennis, volleyball, swimming, and weight lifting require arm motions above the head. Tennis players may feel this pain when they serve or hit an overhead smash. Golfers may feel it in the backswing and/or follow-through. When the shoulder joint and rotator cuff are stressed from these motions, the rotator cuff muscles stretch out. They become inflamed and cause joint pain.
When shoulder joint pain lasts longer than a few days, a program of range-of-motion exercises can help strengthen the rotator cuff muscles. Strengthening these muscles helps hold the shoulder firmly in place. The head will have less of a tendency to slip out of the socket and the tendons will no longer become inflamed. Treatment for rotator cuff injuries can include physical therapy, ultrasound, moist heat and electrical muscle stimulation. 

Avoiding Injuries

The best ways to avoid sports related injuries are to stay in shape, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid activities that might cause injuries. Staying in shape keeps your body stronger and flexible. Maintaining a healthy body weight prevents excessive stress on knees and ankles. Some hazards are associated with physical activity, but being careful keeps the risk to a minimum.
Chiropractic care is important for athletes of all levels. Concentrating on joint alignment and motion is one of the keys to reducing injuries and reducing recovery times from workouts. Chiropractors are able to address issues throughout the body. This includes the extremities like arms and legs.
Proper equipment is also very important for avoiding injuries. Make sure that the gear you use is in good working order. If you have any doubts about your gear, take it to an expert and they will review and suggest any necessary improvements.
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In this article, I have discussed common sports injuries and how to avoid them. The injuries I’ve included in this post are shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, foot arch pain, stress fractures, and rotator cuff injuries. I’ve included suggestions on how to avoid injuries and how to treat some of them when they occur.
If you know of someone who might benefit from the information in this blog, please pass it along to him or her. If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section.
At Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. This includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you’re suffering from a sports related injury or if you need to consult with a chiropractor about your exercise regimen, please contact our office to set up an appointment. 
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.


When Good Exercise Goes Bad, Part 1

Common Sports Injuries and How To Avoid Them

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

Courtesy Wikimedia
Exercise is generally a healthy activity. However, if exercises aren’t done correctly, injuries can result. The most common sports related injuries are due to overuse and strain. Excessive wear and tear on the body, particularly on areas subjected to repetitive activity such as the ankle, knee, shoulder, and elbow joints can strain those parts of the body. 

Running leads to injuries more than any other form of exercise. Biking, dance (including high impact aerobics), tennis, basketball, gymnastics, football, soccer, and skating also lead to substantial numbers of injuries. Here are some of the most common injuries related to exercise and tips on how to avoid them.

Muscle Pulls


Courtesy Wikiimedia
Strained and pulled muscles result from overexertion or excessive extension of a muscle. When a sudden, severe force is applied, the fibers in a muscle may be stretched beyond their capacity. This can happen during exercise or any other strenuous activity. Muscles that are commonly strained include the groin, rotator cuff, hamstring, calf, and knee muscles.

Warm up exercises before strenuous activities can reduce the likelihood of pulling muscles. People sometimes exercise too hard and too fast before their bodies have had an opportunity to warm up.  Even when you warm up and stretch, you may pull a muscle from strain, a slip, or overuse. Stretching after you exercise is important as it brings new blood flow into muscles and helps to remove toxins and lactic acid from the muscles.

Ice can be used to relax a pulled muscle and relieve spasms. When the injured muscle can be stretched as far as the healthy one on the other side of the body without causing pain, it is safe to return to exercising.

Neck Strain


Courtesy Wikimedia
Tennis players sometimes experience neck strain from looking up repetitively to serve. Cyclists and mountain bike riders may also experience neck strain and stiffness from long rides in an awkward position. The pain can make it difficult to move the neck normally.

As with pulled muscles, ice can relieve the discomfort of neck stiffness. Slow and gentle stretching of the neck from side to side and forward and backward can also bring relief. Stretching exercises can also be used to strengthen the neck and improve flexibility.

Lower Back


Lower back injuries can come from heavy lifting, from twisting awkwardly, or from engaging in activities that a person is not accustomed to. Overexerting the back can pull or tear fibers and tendons. This can lead to spasms and cause backaches. Fortunately, many backaches heal up and go away within a few weeks, with or without treatment.

For treatment of serious back injuries, an appointment with a chiropractor is recommended. He or she will be able to diagnose the injury and provide appropriate treatment. A chiropractor can also recommend safe and effective exercises for people with back conditions. Core exercises which strengthen the back and abdominal muscles can increase flexibility and help to prevent back injuries.

Ankle Sprains


Ankle sprains are very common for all sorts of athletes. Sprains involve stretching the ligaments in your ankle. A sprain can come from landing on your foot at an odd angle or with too much force. Walking, running, or playing on uneven surfaces in any physical activity can put you at risk for a sprain. Sports that require sudden changes in direction like football, soccer, and basketball have high incidences of ankle sprains.

The pain can be mild to severe and there may be swelling, bruising, and difficulty in moving the ankle. Minor to moderate ankle sprains normally heal on their own with time. It could take four weeks or more to heal from an ankle sprain. When recuperating from an ankle sprain, it’s a good idea to rest the ankle and apply ice to it.

Eventually, stretching can be done to help the healing. Until the ankle is completely healed, it’s not a good idea to return to strenuous physical activity. If you start pushing yourself before your ankle is healed, you can re-injure the ankle.

There are several things a person can do to minimize the risk of ankle sprains. Stretching and using shoes that fit well can help. Also, it’s important to avoid walking or running on uneven surfaces as much as possible. If you have had an ankle sprain in the past, you might consider precautions like taping up your ankle or using a brace.

Runner's Knee


Runner’s Knee is the most common cause of knee pain. The kneecap normally moves up or down in a groove as the knee flexes or straightens out. When the kneecap is not aligned correctly, it causes pain. This can cause the cartilage around the knee to wear out. Fluid can build up and cause swelling in the knee.

Treatment of knee injuries can include stretching the quadriceps and soft tissue massage on the quadriceps muscle. Exercising to strengthen the quadriceps muscle can help to prevent further knee injuries. Isometric exercises which contract and relax the muscle are a good way to start.

Tennis Elbow - Tendonitis


Tennis elbow is an inflammation of the muscles and tendons of the forearm. It is most often seen among tennis players, golfers, baseball pitchers, and weight lifters. The arm motions required in those sports are somewhat unnatural. When the muscles and tendons are overused, the muscles can become inflamed. 

Surprisingly, changes in footwork can help people who play tennis to reduce the risk of Tennis Elbow. Good footwork can put the player in the proper position to hit with his or her full weight behind the ball. Good footwork takes the stress off the elbow during a tennis stroke and follow through. Golfers can also reduce the likelihood of elbow problems by improving their stroke.

Exercises including wrist curls and squeezing a soft rubber ball can strengthen the forearm muscles and reduce the risk of getting Tennis Elbow.

Avoiding Injuries


One of the best ways to avoid sports related injuries is to stay in shape, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid activities that might cause injuries. Staying in shape will keep your body stronger and more flexible. Maintaining a healthy body weight will prevent excessive stress on your knees and ankles. Some hazards are associated with physical activity, but being careful will keep the risk to a minimum.

Chiropractic care is also an important factor for athletes of all levels, concentrating on joint alignment and motion is key to reduce injuries, reduce recovery times from workouts, and aid in proper development during training sessions. Chiropractors are able to address issues throughout the body including the extremities like arms and legs.

Using the proper equipment is also very important to reduce injuries as well. Make sure that when exercising the gear you use is in good working order and shows within usable wear markings. If you question the gear, take it to an expert and they will review and suggest any needed improvements.

In this article, I have discussed common sports injuries and how to avoid them. These include pulled muscles, neck strain, lower back injuries, tendonitis, runner's knee, and ankle injuries.

At Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments 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.

Foods that Reduce Inflammation

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


Arthritis, also known as inflammation of the joints, is a painful and serious problem for many. While most people rely on anti-inflammatory drugs and pain pills to combat arthritis, research indicates that some foods may be helpful in reducing it while others may cause inflammation. That’s right, what you eat may influence the progression and symptoms of certain types of arthritis and related conditions. Although there are lots of articles on these topics, they are not all in agreement.

In an Arthritis Foundation article about eating the right foods to fight arthritis, Michele Andwele writes, “When you have arthritis or a related condition, getting the right nutrients can help to alleviate pain and inflammation and positively affect overall health. A diet high in sugary, high-fat and processed food fuels inflammation and sets the stage for developing other chronic diseases as well as arthritis. Also, poor nutrition habits can cause you to become overweight or even obese. And excess weight puts added stress on already swollen and painful joints.” 

Foods to Fight Gout

Courtesy Wikimedia
Of all the forms of arthritis, gout has the clearest link to diet. When the body breaks down purine, a substance found in many foods, uric acid forms. People who have gout either have trouble eliminating uric acid, or they produce too much uric acid. This causes inflammation and severe pain in the joints.

A Mediterranean diet decreases uric acid levels and reduces the risk of getting gout. Also cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries have an anti-inflammatory effect that may help reduce the frequency and severity of gout flare-ups. Moderate consumption of and low-fat dairy product are also associated with lower uric acid levels.

Reducing consumption of foods that contain high levels of purines (beef, pork, lamb, and most seafood) is one of the keys to managing gout. Alcohol, especially in the form of beer, can increase the risk of gout attacks. Also, sweetened soft drinks and food with fructose appear to increase uric acid levels.

Calcium-rich foods, including low-fat dairy products, green leafy vegetables, and calcium-fortified foods can promote bone health. Vitamin D-rich foods, such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, cheese and egg yolks, are also important since Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium from food. 

Can certain foods ease your arthritis symptoms and improve your joint health?

Courtesy Wikimedia
Fruits, veggies and whole grains help to fight inflammation and also help control your weight. Maintaining a healthy weight obviously eases stress on the joints. Although, there’s no “magic” food, growing evidence suggests that following a healthy diet and adding specific foods and spices can help fight inflammation and joint pain. Here are some of the foods that can help:

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. Try adding these items to your salad or stir-fry.
Fatty fish. Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, trout and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation and boost heart health. Try adding fish to your diet a couple of times a week.

Garlic, onions, and leeks. These items contain a compound called diallyl disulfide that may help with a number of diseases, including arthritis.

Tart cherries. Some people with arthritis have found relief from products made from tart cherries.

Vitamin C. Antioxidants and food rich in vitamin C may slow the progression of Osteoarthritis.

When it comes to your diet, eat what works for you. If you think a particular food is aggravating your arthritis, try eliminating it from your diet and see how you feel. After you discover which foods have a negative effect and which ones have a positive effect, you’ll be motivated to make sensible adjustments to your diet.

Foods that are part of a Mediterranean-style diet supply the body with anti-inflammatory nutrients. A diet that includes salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, tuna, olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nuts/seeds, and beans can help to reduce inflammation.

WebMD suggests the following for an anti-inflammatory diet:

  • Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
  • Minimize saturated and Trans fats.
  • Eat a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish or fish oil supplements and walnuts.
  • Watch your intake of refined carbohydrates such as pasta and white rice.
  • Eat plenty of whole grains such as brown rice and bulgur wheat.
  • Eat lean protein sources such as chicken; cut back on red meat and full-fat dairy foods.
  • Avoid refined foods and processed foods.
  • Spice it up. Ginger, curry, and other spices can have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Andrew Weil’s Diet Suggestions 

Courtesy Wikimedia
In an interview with Prevention Magazine, Andrew Weil asserts that eating foods known to fight inflammation, a symptom of both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis, may ease pain.

“Eat several servings each week of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids such as wild Alaskan salmon and other cold-water fish, freshly ground flax-seed, omega-3-fortified eggs, and walnuts,”  he says. “Season meals with ginger and turmeric as often as possible; these spices have anti-inflammatory properties. Eating five to nine daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables from across the color spectrum can ease arthritis discomfort.

“You may have heard that certain vegetables, such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant, can worsen arthritis pain. However, I've seen little good scientific evidence to support this theory. You'll also want to limit foods that cause inflammation. Polyunsaturated vegetable oils (such as corn and soy oils) and the partially hydrogenated oils found in many margarines, vegetable shortenings, and processed foods contain fats that promote inflammation.”


In this article, I have discussed the relationship between arthritis and diet. I’ve suggested that a Mediterranean diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and fish can help to alleviate symptoms of arthritis.

At Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments 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.

My Aching Back

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

Back pain is very common. Most people experience it at some point in their lives. Pain in the lower back is the most frequent cause of disability on the job. Fortunately, stretching and exercise can play a big part in finding relief and setting the stage to prevent future occurrences. In fact recent research indicates that stretching can reduce the likeliness of injury by 3 times! If you suffer from lower back pain, regular exercise can improve your flexibility and strengthen your back.
Courtesy of Wikimedai.
If you have a serious problem with your back, one of the first things you should do is to schedule an examination by a trained chiropractor. One sign of a spine-related problem is pain that radiates from the back down into the leg. There may even be a tingling “pins and needles” sensation. If you’re having those symptoms, you should definitely talk to a doctor before undertaking an exercise regimen.
After your doctor has diagnosed your problem and given you the green light to exercise, he or she can suggest specific exercises for your particular condition. Exercise can be very effective for relieving lower back pain due to muscle strain or spasms. If your pain is due to a problem in the spine, you should be very careful that the exercises don’t cause further damage.
Keep the following in mind when starting a stretching routine as part of a program of back exercises:
  • Wear comfortable clothes that won't bind.
  • Stretching should not cause pain.
  • Move into stretches slowly.
  • Avoid bouncing and over-stretching as that could damage muscles.
  • Stretch on a clean, flat surface that is large enough to move freely.
  • Hold stretches long enough to loosen your muscles and joints.
An episode of back pain is no fun. On the positive side, it can be a reminder of the importance of taking care of your body. Taking care of your body takes time and effort. Reducing pain can provide you with the motivation to start exercising and also to stick with it.
Excellent guidelines for stretching exercises are available from the following websites.
Mayo Clinic has a slideshow titled Back exercises in 15 minutes a day.
WebMD has a slideshow titled Low Back Pain: Exercises to Reduce Pain.
Prevention Magazine has an article on 4 Exercises To End Back Pain.
There are lots of other free resources available as well as books and DVDs to provide guidance on exercises to reduce back pain. There are even videos on YouTube that demonstrate how to do exercises to help your back. The key is to get started and find out what works best for you.
In addition to stretching, there are other forms of exercise that can be very beneficial to anyone who suffers from back pain.

Walking

Courtesy of  Wikimedia
In a Spine-health article titled Exercise Walking for Better Back Health, chiropractors Ted Forcum and Thomas Hyde write, “Aerobic exercise has long been shown to reduce the incidence of low back pain. However, people with low back pain often find some forms of exercise too painful to continue, and therefore don't get the exercise they need to maintain good health. Exercise walking is one way to benefit from regular exercise while not aggravating the structures in the lower back.”
According to Dr. Forcum and Dr. Hyde, the benefits of exercise walking include:
  • Strengthening of muscles in the feet, legs, hips, and torso. Walking increases the stability of the spine and conditions the muscles that keep the body in the upright position.
  • Nourishing of the spinal structures. Walking for exercise facilitates strong circulation, pumping nutrients into soft tissues and draining toxins.
  • Improvements in flexibility and posture. Walking along with regular stretching allows greater range of motion and helps to prevent awkward movements.

Swimming

Courtesy of Wikimedia
Swimming can be very effective for keeping muscles and joints supple and strong.
In a Back Pain Expert article titled Swimming for Back Pain, Dr. Jo Johnson writes, “Swimming is a non-impact activity, meaning that the weightless environment of the water coupled with the suspension in water takes the pressure off joint allowing them and the associated structures to relax. When these structures become relaxed any compression on the nerves is reduced. Swimming helps prevent and heal muscular sprains and strains and can help lower chronic pain conditions. It does not exert high amounts of pressure on the back.”

Yoga

Courtesy of Wikimedia
Many people find relief for their back pain by practicing Yoga. In an article for Everyday Health titled 7 Best Yoga Poses to Soothe Back Pain, Annie Hauser writes, “Multiple studies have shown the power of Yoga, which emphasizes stretching, strength, and flexibility, to relieve back soreness. While yoga isn't a good idea if you have severe pain, those with occasional soreness or chronic aches may greatly benefit from certain postures that can help lengthen your spine, stretch and strengthen your muscles, and return your back to its proper alignment.”

Exercise Ball

Weak stabilizing muscles in the back can be one cause of back pain. Exercising on an exercise ball can help. An exercise ball is an unstable surface. When you sit or exercise on an exercise ball, your stabilizing muscles go to work to prevent you from falling off. Using an exercise ball can be very beneficial in activating and strengthening your stabilizing muscles. More information about the benefits of an exercise ball can be found in the following article.  
People who exercise regularly tend to have fewer recurrences of back pain than people who do not exercise regularly. Daily stretching and strengthening exercises can help to prevent flare-ups of back pain due to muscle strains and sprains.
In this article, I’ve discussed how stretching exercises can reduce back pain. I’ve also discussed how walking and swimming can help people to recover from flare-ups of back pain. In addition, I’ve written about practicing Yoga and working out on exercise balls to improve flexibility and strength in the back.   
At Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. If you’d like to learn more about the NutriMost program, please call to set up a consultation. If you know of someone else who might benefit from the NutriMost program, please pass this article along to that person. If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments 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.