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Doctor Supervised Weight Loss



When weight loss programs go wrong, it’s time to call a doctor.

by Dr. Jon Thomas DC, PScD, Director of Vibrant Life Health Center

Dr. Jon Thomas
One of the biggest differences between NutriMost and other weight loss programs is that NutriMost is supervised by a board certified chiropractor. NutriMost requires practitioners to be board certified, licensed, professionals. Not counselors. Not therapists. Not health coaches. This is important, since weight loss and the wellness that can come from chiropractic care go well together.

Medical supervision in a weight loss program is extremely beneficial to patients because attaining and maintaining a healthy weight for the long term involves changing the way a body works. A person who has been educated and trained as a doctor understands the intricacies of the human body and the transformative changes a person experiences during weight loss. There are numerous examples of people who have tried diets or weight loss programs and ended up having serious health issues. The results can be tragic.

In the late 70s, Robert Linn published a book titled The Last Chance Diet. It was a bestseller that promoted a liquid diet that was touted to be miraculous. Millions of people bought Linn's book and tried his formula. The low calorie diet seemed to work wonders. But then news of sudden deaths began to surface. Unfortunately, for some people, the Last Chance Diet brought them to their last meals.

Dozens of other fad diets have come and gone. Some have been absolutely crazy and some have been downright dangerous. Here are a few examples.

Courtesy Wikimedia
The Twinkie Diet involved eating nothing but Twinkies. No need to worry about nutrients that aren’t found in Twinkies. It’s hard to believe, but people actually tried this.

The Tapeworm Diet was based on getting tapeworms into the digestive tract where they would go to work on behalf of the dieter. Unfortunately, some found out that an untreated tapeworm infestation can be lethal.

The Baby Food Diet worked by substituting baby food for adult meals. Some people did lose weight that way. However, they all eventually started eating like grownups again. When they did, the pounds inevitably returned.

The Cotton Ball Diet involved eating cotton balls before meals. The idea is that they fill your stomach so you’re not hungry and don’t eat very much. In fact, they may have caused some people to lose their appetites. The problem is that cotton balls are not good for the digestive tract.

Courtesy Pixabay
The Cigarette Diet was undoubtedly one of the most harmful diet fads of all time. In the 1920s, cigarette manufacturers actually promoted the weight-loss benefits of smoking. Since smoking doesn’t involve taking calories in and since nicotine is a stimulant, lighting up instead of eating actually could result in burning off a few calories. However, we now know that it also leads to serious medical conditions like heart disease and lung cancer.

When entering into a program, it is important to understand doctor’s have been educated about how the body works and knows the difference between a fad diet and a medically sound and effective weight loss program. When it comes to matters of health, advice from family, friends, and other non-professionals is usually worth what you pay for it.

Losing weight involves serious changes for the body. For people who are investigating weight loss programs, one of the first things to look into is whether or not the people running the program actually know anything about how the body works. With NutriMost, that’s never an issue. NutriMost is always supervised by a doctor.

Dr. Ray Wisniewski, Founder of NutriMost

Dr. Ray Wisniewski is the creator and founder of the NutriMost Ultimate Fat Loss System. NutriMost has helped thousands upon thousands of people lose literally tons of fat. He developed NutriMost Resonant Frequency Technology which determines precisely what a patient’s body needs and enables practitioners to assemble an exact plan for simple and effective action steps that lead to permanent weight loss. When people lose weight the right way, they also see improvements with other health problems.

Dr. Ray began his journey in natural health at the University of Pittsburgh and Palmer Chiropractic University. After graduating Magna Cum Laude, he returned to his hometown of Pittsburgh and opened his practice on January 22, 1983. Dr. Ray is passionate about helping people live healthier lives. NutriMost is allowing him to do exactly that!

People all over the country who have tried NutriMost have lost dramatic amounts of weight, learned the principles of good health, and transformed their lives in a very positive way. Dr. Ray is constantly working to improve scanning technologies, educating his fellow doctors, and finding ways to help people live healthier and happier lives.

Dr. Jon Thomas DC, PScD.

Tracy Thomas and Dr. Jon Thomas
My interest in health started at an early age. My life included BMX racing, professional snow skiing, water skiing, baseball, weight lifting, and martial arts. While I was attending Life University in Marietta, GA, I spent thousands of hours studying subjects such as Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology, Embryology, Human Anatomy, Physiology, X-ray, Diagnosis, Chiropractic Adjusting Techniques, Orthopedic Testing, Physiotherapy, and Patient Care. I have also received advanced training in Functional Neurology, 21st Century Intracellular Detoxification, Clinical Lab Testing, Bio-nutrition, Nervous System Balancing, and Spinal Correction.

I’m a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. I’ve learned the practice of medicine from some of the top health experts in the world. I specialize in Corrective Structural Care, Neck and Back Pain, Extremity Function, Acute Pain Care, Sports Performance Enhancement, Sports Injury, Anatomic Kinetics and Movement Patterns, Fat Loss, Hormonal and Neurotransmitter Disruption Balancing.

I’ve had many patients who sincerely wanted to lose weight and tried every program they could find. However, most never found anything that worked until they found NutriMost. Many have experienced incredible results with NutriMost. Losing twenty pounds, or more, in forty days is not unusual at all. Losing weight doesn’t have to take forever, but it has to be done properly. Otherwise, as so many fad dieters have discovered, the weight is coming back.  

I’m not just a practitioner. I’ve been on NutriMost and I lost over 26 pounds in just over 40 days. My body fat level dropped from 30% to just over 10%. I’ve seen similar results in my wife, my parents, and her parents. Since bringing NutriMost to Jacksonville, I’ve been on a mission to positively impact the health of everyone I meet. For a few examples, check out the NutriMost Jacksonville testimonial page. 



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In this article, I have discussed the importance of medical supervision for any weight loss program. Losing weight is a serious transformation for anyone and it’s important to get proper medical advice when you’re in the process of losing substantial amounts of weight.  NutriMost practitioners, like me, are board certified medical professionals.

If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section below. If you know of someone who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it with your friends, colleagues, and on social media.

The Google Plus button and other social media sharing buttons are below.

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 need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please contact our office to set up an appointment.

Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His practice, The Vibrant Life Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. After studying and learning from some of the top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated his life to helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective for each patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively toward a body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on First Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He also speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles to improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.

Chiropractic Treatment for Lower Back Pain

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


Courtesy Wikimedia
Most people suffer from lower back pain at some time in their lives. Lower back pain is one of the conditions most frequently treated by chiropractors. The joints in the spine are designed for lifting, bending, twisting, and arching. The discs positioned between each vertebrae allow for these movements while also providing space for nerves to pass in and out of the spine. The muscles, ligaments, and tendons surrounding the spine provide the power for movement.

There are lots of ways the back may be injured.

  • Lifting things that are too heavy, awkward, or using poor technique while lifting.
  • Bending beyond a person’s level of flexibility.
  • Spending long periods of time sitting in awkward positions
  • Sleeping in a position that puts stress on the back.
  • Overdoing it at the gym, golf course, sports field, or elsewhere.

Over-exertion is one of the most common causes of muscle strain which leads to low back pain. Weekend warriors who are not very active during the work week and spend hours exercising on the weekends are particularly vulnerable to injuries including those that may cause lower back pain.

What is the lumbar spine?

Courtesy Wikimedia.
Surprisingly, there’s no wood whatsoever in the lumbar spine. According to Spine-health.com, the lumbar spine is the part of the spine comprised of five vertebral bodies (L1-L5) that extend from the lower thoracic spine (chest) to the sacrum (bottom of the spine). The vertebral bodies are stacked on top of each other with a disc between each one. There are three types of muscles that attach to the lumbar spine.

Extensor muscles are attached to the back of the spine. They enable humans to stand and to lift objects.

Flexor muscles are attached to the front of the spine. They enable people to bend forward, lift, and arch the lower back.

Oblique muscles are attached to the sides of the spine. They help to rotate the spine. They also help people to maintain proper posture.

These muscles are made up of individual fibers. When a fiber is stretched too far or torn, the condition is known as a lumbar muscle strain. Common symptoms include:

  • Dull aching pain
  • Sudden shooting pain
  • Tenderness in the lower back

What’s the difference between acute back pain and chronic back pain?

Acute back pain comes on suddenly, usually after an injury from heavy lifting, athletic activity, or some other activity that’s stressful to the back. Injuries that result in acute back pain sometimes heal completely on their own within a month. 
Chiropractic treatment is important for these injuries to address potential asymmetric issues and movement patterns that may lead to further issues down the road. In addition, Chiropractic has been proven to reduce healing time which gets a person back in action faster.

Pain that lasts for months is considered chronic. With chronic back pain, low levels of pain, achiness, stiffness, or flare-ups may continue for months after an injury.

For pulled muscles without severe symptoms, many practitioners recommend allowing the injury to rest for a day or two. After that, the patient can start stretching and strengthening exercises to improve flexibility and strength while the lower back gets better.

When should a person with lower back pain seek help?

Severe back pain after a fall or injury should be checked out immediately. Also, if a patient experiences any of the following, he or she should set up an appointment.

  • Pain lasts more than 72 hours.
  • The pain makes it difficult to stand up straight.
  • Pain worsens or never lets up.
  • Bladder or bowel control becomes difficult.
  • Pain when coughing or sneezing.
  • Pain shoots down one of the legs. Sometimes back pain is related to a bulging disc or a ruptured disc. When a disc presses on the sciatic nerve, there may be pain shooting down one leg. This is called sciatica.

Chiropractic adjustment for lower back pain

To relieve pain in the lower back, chiropractors use a technique called spinal manipulation. It involves finding the part of the spine that’s out of proper alignment. Then the chiropractor applies a specific scientific chiropractic adjustment using one of many techniques to bring the spine back into the proper alignment. Techniques used are matched to a person specific needs and ability to receive the adjustment effectively.

The key is determining the proper location and making the move correctly. Chiropractors have extensive education and training to ensure that adjustments are the safest form of health care today. This is not the kind of thing that anyone should try at home on their family or friends.

Tips to avoid lower back problems

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the keys to maintaining a healthy back. The more weight a person carries, the more stress it puts on various parts of the body, including the lower back. People who aren’t carrying extra weight around have fewer problems with the lower back.  

Fitness is another key to keeping your back healthy. When your back and abdominal muscles are strong and flexible, you’re able to engage in a wider range of activities, including strenuous activities, without hurting yourself.

It’s also important to lift heavy objects properly and without bending beyond your physical limitations. If you’re not in shape to move a heavy object, like a piano or an air conditioner, just say no. Let someone else do it, even if you have to pay them. That expense will be far less than the cost of being laid up for weeks.

If your job involves lifting, pulling, or any activity that twists the spine, pay very close attention to how you go about that. The more you can do to avoid putting stress on the back by lifting and twisting, the better off you will be in the long run. 

If you carry a backpack, briefcase, or purse over your shoulder, remember that the lower back supports the upper body and bears the burden of anything you carry. Carrying a heavy bag once in a while may not do any harm, but day after day it can certainly take a toll. If you can reduce the weight that you’re carrying, your lower back will be happy about that. If you have to carry lots of stuff every day, look into a briefcase on wheels. Again, your lower back will appreciate it.

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In this article, I have discussed chiropractic adjustment for lower back pain. Lower back pain can be caused  by over-exertion, falls, and lifting too much or lifting in an awkward way. I’ve also provided tips on how to avoid lower back pain.

If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section below. If you know of someone who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it with your friends, colleagues, and on social media.

The Google Plus button and other social media sharing buttons are below.

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 need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please contact our office to set up an appointment.

Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His practice, The Vibrant Life Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. His interest in health and fitness started early, and his athletic pursuits have included BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weight Lifting, and Martial Arts. After studying and learning from some of the top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated his life to helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective for each patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively toward a body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on First Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He also speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles to improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.



Why suffer with shoulder pain when it can be resolved?



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

As I mentioned in a recent post about headaches, many people wait until their pain becomes excruciating before doing anything about it. People use this approach for shoulder pain as much as anything else. They hope the pain will just go away.

Shoulder pain can come about in lots of different ways: Sleeping position, carrying heavy bags or backpacks, and using handheld devices and computers for a long time can all cause strain to the shoulder.

Many people associate chiropractic care primarily with neck or back issues. Most chiropractors also treat many other parts of the body, including the shoulders. Shoulder pain may be caused by joint irritation, by tissue irritation, or by the joint being out of alignment. Shoulder pain can frequently be relieved through a chiropractic adjustment.

How the shoulder works

Courtesy of Wikipedia
The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body. It is surrounded by nerves, tendons, bursas, and other tissues which are interconnected. Tendons attach muscle to bone. Ligaments attach bone to bone.

The shoulder is a complicated joint with a great range of motion. It gives us the ability to do lots of things with our arms. It is also a fragile joint in some ways. Overuse or unusual motion can cause damage to the shoulder.

Tendons, muscles, or ligaments around the shoulder can stretch and tear causing pain. If you have a shoulder injury, it’s very important to get it checked out sooner rather than later. That way you can resolve an issue before it becomes more serious. Most shoulder problems fall into the following categories.

Frozen Shoulder Syndrome (FSS) is a condition of the shoulder where arm movement becomes very limited. It can be both painful and debilitating. With FSS, the slightest movement can be very painful. There are three progressive stages with FSS. The first is the freezing stage. Shoulder pain gets worse over time and the range of motion becomes increasingly limited. The freezing stage can last weeks or even months.

The frozen shoulder stage is when the movement pattern in the shoulder has become extremely limited. The constant pain may subside, but pain is frequently felt whenever movement is attempted beyond a limited range of motion. The frozen stage can last several months. After that, in the thawing stage, the patient gradually gets their pain-free range of motion back.

Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon. It is generally the result of wear and tear over a period of years. It can come from excessive repetitive motion, like pitching a baseball or throwing a football. Tendonitis can also come from an injury in the form of splitting or tearing of a tendon. These injuries are sometimes referred to as rotator cuff injuries.

Bursitis is inflammation of the bursas, which are fluid sacs around the joint.  The bursas reduce friction caused by the movement of the shoulder. Excessive, repetitive use of the shoulder can lead to bursitis. Bursitis and rotator cuff tendonitis sometimes occur together.

When should you seek treatment?

Many patients ignore initial shoulder symptoms. In the case of an acute injury, if the pain is intense, you should seek treatment as soon as possible. If the pain is mild to moderate, you might wait a few days to see if time will alleviate the problem. When the pain persists past a few days, it’s time to set up an appointment.

How does a chiropractor treat shoulder problems?

An examination by a trained and experienced chiropractor will measure range of motion, as well as testing the muscle around the shoulder. As part of an examination, your chiropractor will determine the underlying cause of your shoulder pain. Among other problems, the shoulder joint can shift out of alignment causing the muscles and ligaments to pull in an abnormal way. This can lead to spasms, inflammation, and pain.

The nerves supplying the shoulder joint and tissues surrounding the shoulder originate in the neck. A chiropractor can evaluate the neck for any subluxations that may be causing interference. Shoulder problems are sometimes treated by adjusting the spine. An adjustment can restore proper movement in the spine and improve nerve function in the shoulder.

Adjustments to the shoulder can be performed to shift the joint forward or backward, depending on symptoms. An adjustment can restore the normal range of motion. It can also allow the muscles to function correctly. In many cases, a chiropractor can provide instant relief to patients suffering from shoulder pain.

A qualified chiropractor may also provide instructions on things like sleeping position, how to set up your computer so that it’s ergonomically correct, and how to carry things so that you don’t put unnecessary strain on your shoulder. A chiropractor may also suggest exercises to strengthen the shoulder and increase range of motion. 
Dr. Thomas was recently on First Coast Living with a patient  who received chiropractic treatment for shoulder pain due to a serious injury. Watch the video!

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In this article, I have discussed common shoulder problems, what causes them, and how a chiropractor can help to alleviate them. Shoulder pain can be caused by several things, including tendonitis, bursitis, or a misalignment. Shoulder pain can be treated effectively by a chiropractor.

If you have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section below. If you know of someone who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it with your friends, colleagues, and on social media.

The Google Plus button and other social media sharing buttons are below.

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 need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please contact our office to set up an appointment.

Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His practice, The Vibrant Life Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. His interest in health and fitness started early, and his athletic pursuits have included BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball, Weight Lifting, and Martial Arts. After studying and learning from some of the top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated his life to helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective for each patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively toward a body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on First Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He also speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles to improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.