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Showing posts with label optimum health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label optimum health. Show all posts

Life in Balance: Taking Health to the Next Level

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


Courtesy of Vibrant Life
Many people’s lives have been transformed over the years at Vibrant Life Health Center. We’ve had Chiropractic patients come to us with chronic pain and musculoskeletal issues that have been resolved. The transformations they’ve experienced have enabled them to return to doing things that they thought they might never be able to do again. 

We’ve had patients who had serious weight problems, problems with their metabolism, and things that just weren’t working properly in their bodies.  People want to know how they can get to the next level. At Vibrant Life, we’re going to help them to do exactly that. We call it Life in Balance, and it’s a comprehensive approach to optimized health, fitness, and wellness.


Courtesy of
Vibrant Life
Life in Balance will incorporate wellness Chiropractic. Lots of people associate chiropractic with getting well after an injury of some sort, and chiropractic is certainly great for that. The thing many people don’t realize is that Chiropractic is also good for staying well and for keeping the nervous system functioning optimally. As I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, everything in the body is connected to the spine. Spine health is crucial for living a truly healthy life. 

The program will also encompass nutritional guidance so people won’t have to guess about what supplement to take and when or how to take it. With blood-based micro - macro nutrient testing, we’re going to show people what their bodies are truly deficient in and what is optimal. People are going to have an exact plan on what supplements they should be taking in order to address their specific deficiencies based on testing and then also re-testing post protocol to verify that the needs have been fully addressed. 

Another misunderstood and misused concept in health planning is detoxification steps. There are many methods related to detoxification but many are actually not effective, not safe, and confusing. The protocols in Life in Balance come from some of the longest used methods in history. Not only will you have the steps laid out for you, you will have a specific order by organ and when to cycle on and off the detoxification protocols. This will ensure that your body will get maximum benefit!


Courtesy of Wikimedia
Foods are also pivotal to health and wellness. With Life in Balance a food plan is developed using biofeedback to ensure cellular coherence with the foods you consume. This plan is comprehensive and lists good foods, avoidance foods, and a buffer in between. Within this plan you're not guessing…you know that you know that your food plan matches your body's needs.

Fitness is another key component for Life in Balance. Someone might want to get to the point where he or she can walk a mile at a good pace without huffing and puffing. Someone else might want to gain muscle mass and get the six-pack abs they had in their 20s back. Either way, we’re going to help participants reach their fitness objectives. 


Courtesy of U.S. Navy
Life in Balance is not a one-size-fits-all program. It’s comprehensive and tailored to the individual. A supplement that works well for one person might not work at all for someone else. There are reasons for that. Everybody is different and everybody has their own unique needs. We’ll be using the best technologies and time-tested methodologies to develop an individualized program for each participant.

This is an in depth approach to optimal health. We’re going to look at everything going on in a person’s body and we’re going to address every challenge that might keep a person from reaching his or her goals. We want to give our patients much more than one or two pieces to the health and fitness puzzle. We want to give them all the pieces and then help them fit those pieces together so they can experience true transformation and start living the lives they’ve always wanted to live. 



How my daughter, Avery, got her hair back: A personal Life in Balance testimony from Dr. Thomas

According to WebMD, alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, which is where hair growth begins. The damage to the follicle is usually not permanent. Experts do not know why the immune system attacks the follicles. Alopecia areata is most common in people younger than 20, but children and adults of any age may be affected. Women and men are affected equally.

My daughter, Avery, was diagnosed with alopecia at 5 years old. Tracy and I took Avery to several medical Doctors. They told us that she had an auto-immune disease, and there was nothing that could be done about it. Avery was told she would never have hair again. That news was devastating! Most people consider hair an important part of their personal appearance. It’s especially important to young women in our culture. 

A friend recommended that we take Avery to a Naturopathic doctor who thought outside the box.  He tested Avery’s blood, urine, and saliva. After evaluating the results, he determined that Avery’s body was not producing HCL and her stomach PH level was an 8 when it should have been a 2. Based on that information, which traditional medical doctors had not considered, we made some changes. Today Avery is thirteen years old and she has a beautiful head of hair. That creates a whole other problem for a father, but I think I’ll be able to cope.

Traditional medicine does not have the answers to every health challenge. Sometimes, people need do their own research and seek out a practitioner who thinks outside the traditional medicine box. With Life in Balance, when patients have a problem for which there doesn’t seem to be a solution, we’re going to consider all the options, including some that may be considered outside the box. 
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In this article, I have discussed Life in Balance, our comprehensive new approach to health, wellness, and fitness, which is being offered by the Vibrant Life Health Center. Life in Balance addresses chiropractic fitness, nutrition and weight loss, fitness and exercise, and much more. The program is tailored to each participant to help them achieve their health and wellness objectives. 

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.


Courtesy of Vibrant Life
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, Weightlifting, 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.

The heat is on. Can you say dehydration?

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

Courtesy National Day Calendar
Did you know that May 27th was National Heat Awareness Day? Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States. The National Weather Service asks people to think about the heat on National Heat Awareness Day, which is observed each year on the last Friday in May. That coincides with Memorial Day weekend, a weekend when many Americans start spending more time out in the sun.

One of the biggest problems people have in hot weather is staying properly hydrated. Maintaining the proper fluid level in our bodies is just as important as keeping the radiator in your car topped off. Actually, since dehydration can lead to serious illness or death, it’s more important.

In a Fitness Magazine article titled, The Ultimate Energy Drink: How to Stay Hydrated, Stephanie Dolgoff writes, "Water protects and hydrates our organs, transports nutrients to our cells and helps us stay energized and mentally sharp. It also balances the level of electrolytes and minerals such as sodium and potassium in our bodies to keep our muscles functioning properly.”

Dehydration occurs when the loss of body fluids is greater than the amount of water being taken in. More water is moving out of our cells and bodies than what we consume. Florida gets hotter than many other parts of the country. That makes it especially important to take precautions. When the heat is on, be sure to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and avoid overexertion. Some days it’s much better to stay in a cool space than it is to be outside in the heat.


Courtesy National Weather Service
Prevention
When it comes to dehydration, a fluid ounce of prevention is worth a gallon of cure. If you’re not careful, dehydration can sneak up on you very quickly, especially in places with hot and humid summer climates like Northeast Florida. Pay attention to the environment and try to anticipate situations where you may need to increase your fluid intake.

For example, if you’re going out on a kayak or canoe, take extra water in case your excursion takes a little longer than anticipated. If you’re working in the yard on a hot day, take breaks at regular intervals and drink water during your breaks. Don’t wait till you begin to get thirsty. If you do, you’ll already be well on your way to becoming dehydrated. Dehydration starts when body fluids go down by just one percent. However, people don’t even get thirsty till their fluids go down two percent. Here are some additional tips.

  • Pay close attention to weather reports and avoid exercising and working outside on very hot days or during the hottest parts of the day.
  • Plan strenuous outdoor activities for early in the day or late in the day when the temperature is cooler.
  • Avoid alcohol. Alcohol increases water loss and even impairs your ability to sense the earliest signs of dehydration.
  • If you have to be outdoors when it is very hot, wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing. And keep a bottle of water nearby.

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Symptoms of Dehydration

The symptoms of dehydration range from minor to severe. They include:

  • Increased thirst. Don’t ignore thirst. Get some water or a sports drink.
  • Dry mouth, which is also referred to as cotton mouth.
  • Weakness, dizziness, palpitations, confusion, fainting.
  • The color of urine can be a reliable indicator of dehydration. According to DripDrop, clear or light yellow urine is normal. When urine is darker orange, it’s a sign that the body is running low on water.  

How much water should a person drink every day?

In the not-so-distant past, the so-called rule of thumb for recommended water consumption was one size fits all: eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. That has changed. Obviously, a large person needs more water than a smaller person. Also, a person who is active outside in a hot climate for much of the day will need more water than a person who sits in an air-conditioned office all day.  

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
According to WEBMD, people should drink between half an ounce and an ounce of water per day for each pound they weigh. For example, a person who weighs 150 pounds should consume between 75 to 150 ounces of water a day depending on there activity level. Someone living in a hot climate would want to take in about 150 ounces per day. Someone in a cooler climate might need less than 100 ounces per day.

A person who calculates that he or she is drinking a lot less than the recommended amount per day should develop a plan for ramping up the quantity. It’s not a good idea to try to double the amount of water being consumed overnight. The increase in intake should be made more gradually so that the body can adjust accordingly.

Drinking fluids isn’t the only way to stay hydrated.

In an article for Daily Burn, Emily Faherty writes about foods that can help people in their efforts to stay hydrated. It’s no coincidence that watermelon has water in its name. Watermelon is 92 percent water and it does a nice job of quenching thirst. Watermelon also contains salt, calcium, and magnesium making it ideal for helping with hydration.

Celery stalks are about 95 percent water. Celery also has fiber and minerals, including potassium and vitamin K. Cucumbers, which are 96 percent water, can also help you to keep your cool in the heat. Strawberries are 92 percent water and they are loaded with fiber and vitamin C. Lettuce and spinach also have high percentages of water.

Working these foods into your diet will help you to maintain the proper fluid levels.

Self-treatment for mild dehydration

Mild dehydration can normally be corrected by consuming fluids. That doesn’t mean chugging down lots of water. Here are a few suggestions on how to take in fluids slowly to bring your levels up to where they should be:

  • Sip small amounts of water.
  • Drink carbohydrate/electrolyte-containing drinks. Sports drinks like Gatorade are good for this.
  • Add Lemon to your water to aid with cellular absorption, this will also help with your body’s alkalinity.

It’s very important to stay properly hydrated in hot weather. Maintaining an awareness of the environment around you and planning for situations where your body may need more water than normal is one of the keys to avoiding dehydration. Staying in tune with what’s going on in your own body is the other key. Taking appropriate steps to avoid dehydration and taking action quickly when symptoms present themselves will help you to maintain the balance your body needs and enjoy the summer in spite of the searing heat.      

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In this article, I have discussed dehydration, how to stay properly hydrated and avoid dehydration, symptoms of dehydration, and what to do if you become dehydrated.

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.

Courtesy Vibrant Life Health Center
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, Weightlifting, 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.

The Many Facets of Chiropractic

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


Many people are first introduced to a chiropractor after they sustain an injury due to an accident, a fall, or simply the wear and tear induced by the rigors of life. No single technique or adjustment style, chiropractic utilizes a myriad of treatment modalities designed to adjust the musculoskeletal system in order to resolve many issues that cause pain. In order to bring the body back into balance, there are a number of chiropractic treatments that are very effective for resolving these issues.
The Cox® Table at Vibrant Life

Cox® Technique

Cox® Technic is a non-surgical, doctor-controlled, hands-on spinal manipulation performed with the patient lying on The Cox® Table. The goal of Cox® Technic is to reduce a patient’s pain as quickly as possible. This technique utilizes flexion-distraction and decompression to relieve spinal pain in order to return patients to their desired quality of life by:
  • Reducing internal disc pressure
  • Widening the spinal canal area
  • Opening the space for nerve roots
  • Reducing pressure on the spinal nerves
  • Returning motion to all the spinal joints. 

Extremities Techniques

Chiropractic health is much more than simply having a straight, healthy spine. It encompasses optimal extremity function and performance, balance, energy, pain reduction or elimination, nutrition, brain and organ function, muscle performance and development, and more. A Chiropractor can diagnose and treat the root causes of recurring pain in the spine and also the extremities. He/she is equipped to successfully treat all of the following:
  • temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder (TMJ) 
  • shoulder girdle syndrome 
  • tennis elbow 
  • carpal tunnel 
  • knee subluxation 
  • baker’s cysts 
  • sprained ankles 
  • shin splints 
  • foot and gait mechanics 
  • misaligned hips 
  • leg length issues. 

Vibrant Life Health Center

Thompson Technique

The Thompson Technique utilizes a Segmental Drop Table to enhance the motion force imparted towards the segment or area that needs to be adjusted. Dr. Thompson introduced the concept of adding motion by inventing a headpiece that would drop away as the adjustive thrust was applied to the vertebral segment. The Segmental Drop System utilizes the spine’s inherent design in order to move the spinal segment in the direction that will improve the motion of the segment with the one above and below. Since the spinal joints face front to back and have an incline that naturally slopes backwards, a chiropractor can affect increased motion by applying an adjustment from posterior to anterior. The Thompson Technique allows the practitioner to elicit adjustment into segmental areas of the spine without introducing high forces. This allows the chiropractor to address sensitive areas with care that is both effective and gentle.

Activator Method

The Activator Method incorporates the latest advances in orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic science. This technique is based on low force and high speed activation of the skeletal structure. The Activator Method is now the most widely used “low force” technique in chiropractic. This system of adjusting restores proper balance and does it with improved safety and comfort. The Activator Method utilizes a small spring-loaded adjusting instrument to deliver a focused corrective impulse into the dysfunctional spinal segment. This technique is most commonly used in patients who prefer a low-force correction without the traditional “hands-on” thrust.

Diversified Technique

The Diversified Technique is the most commonly used adjustment technique by chiropractors. Like many chiropractic and osteopathic manipulative techniques, the Diversified Technique is characterized by a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust. Diversified is considered the most generic chiropractic manipulative technique and is differentiated from other techniques in that its objective is to restore proper movement and alignment of spine and joint dysfunction.

FAKTR

FAKTR (pronounced “factor”) is a revolutionary technique for treating soft tissue problems. It is effective for many conditions including headaches, back pain, shoulder problems, pain in the elbows, foot problems, and other injuries to the extremities. People are injured all the time through falls, auto accidents, sports injuries, and their work. Some injuries bother people for a long time before they seek treatment. Some people seek treatment very soon after they experience a new condition. Either way, there are many problems that can be resolved within a few treatments with the FAKTR Technique.

Electrical Stimulation Therapy

Electrical Stimulation Therapy uses an electrical current to cause a single muscle or a group of muscles to contract. By placing electrodes on the skin in various locations, the practitioner can recruit the appropriate muscle fibers. Contracting the muscle via electrical stimulation helps strengthen the affected muscle.

The practitioner can change the setting to allow for a forceful or gentle muscle contraction. Along with increasing muscle strength, the contraction of the muscle also promotes blood supply to the area that assists in healing. Vibrant Life Health Center utilizes the following applications:
  • Inferential E-Stem
  • Premod E-Stem
  • Russian E-Stem
  • Micro Current
  • Ultra Sound
  • High Volt Galvanic
  • Active Tissue Therapy
Applying tension to injured tissue while it is in active motion allows a practitioner to break down scar tissue and address the inured response of supportive facial, muscular, vascular, and other tissues. This increases healing, function, and strength in the affected areas.

Adhesion Breakers

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) instruments have been used for centuries in Chinese medicine. In recent years, they have been further developed and improved by Adhesion Breakers. IASTM instruments are designed to be used with other modalities to increase the effectiveness of the soft tissue work being performed. This technique helps to correct the adhesions and scar tissue that form due to injury and inflammation from injuries, surgeries, and overuse/underuse conditions.
By increasing tissue elasticity and fibroblastic activity, muscles and surrounding tissues can be returned to a status as close as possible to the pre-injury condition. This is accomplished by initiating a controlled inflammatory process which allows the tissue to begin the healing process.  Breaking down scar tissue and adhesions in the tissue, and redirecting collagen formation in the proper orientation helps to improve movement of muscles and tissues.
Courtesy of Wikimedia.

Kinesio-taping

Kinesio Tape has been in existence for over 25 years. When it is adhered to the skin, it lifts the tissue away from the injured area and fascia. This allows blood to flow properly and alleviates swelling, thus promoting healing. There are numerous specified taping techniques used to facilitate the healing process.

In this article I’ve provided summaries of chiropractic techniques used by Vibrant Life Health Center. These techniques can be used to reduce or eliminate pain and to correct problems with spinal alignment. These techniques can also be used to address issues in the extremities.

At Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. The rest of your days can be the best of your days! Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Have you been “just dealing with it?” It’s time to come to the experts at Vibrant Life Health Center.

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.