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Showing posts with label spine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spine. Show all posts

Why Detoxing Your Body is Important

By Dr. Jon Thomas, DC, PSc.D, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.
Wikimedia Commons
Some people say that what you don’t know won’t hurt you. In fact, when it comes to toxins in the body, what you don’t know can make you sick or kill you. Radon gas, drinking water contaminated with lead, car exhaust, and chemicals seeping into the water supply from landfills are a few examples of toxic substances that will hurt you.
Surprisingly, people also consume toxins in a variety of foods if they’re not paying attention. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but not if the daily apple is coated with pesticides! Our bodies have been designed to naturally remove toxins.  However, if we are not carefully avoiding or limiting our exposure to toxic substances (medicines, processed foods, cleaners, air pollution, etc.), our bodies can become overloaded with toxins. 
Our world is becoming more and more toxic with the level of synthetic chemicals, preservatives, and man made ingredients creating toxic load our bodies sometimes can’t remove. Toxins accumulate over time. A toxic body is an unhealthy body. Toxins affect how the body operates. Among other things, toxins can have a significant impact on a person’s ability or inability to lose weight. The good news is that you can reduce your exposure to chemicals and take positive steps to detoxify.

What is a toxic substance?
Substances that cause health problems are considered toxic. People don’t generally drink ammonia or eat rat poison because they know that it’s harmful to consume those items. Products that people use every day, like household cleaners, prescription drugs, gasoline, alcohol, and even artificial sweetners can also be harmful. It’s not as easy to avoid all of those as it is to avoid the most obvious toxins.
People take in toxins by breathing gasses, vapors, or dust. As I’ve mentioned, people also take in toxins by drinking or eating them. Substances can be ingested, absorbed into the blood, and then transported throughout the body. The more you do to avoid taking in toxins in the first place, the healthier you will be.  
How can you detoxify your body?
Courtesy of Vibrant Life
At Vibrant Life Health Center, we teach patients how to detox their systems. Using fresh and locally grown produce in your diet is a great way to avoid many toxins. Since produce that is grown nearby doesn’t have to be shipped very far, no preservatives are required. Also, if you shop at a farmers’ market, you can actually talk to a farmer about how he or she grows produce, what kind of fertilizer is used, etc. That information can really help people to make wise decisions about what they are putting into their bodies.
Food supplements can also be helpful for detoxifying. The key is to get the highest quality supplements from someone you trust. There are lots of supplements on the market, and they vary in quality. The way they are made can make a tremendous difference. Members of my own family and I use many of the supplements offered at Vibrant Life Health Center. I wouldn’t offer anything that I would not use for my own family.
Chiropractic care is also very effective for removing toxins. When the vertebrae of the spine are in their proper alignment, the central nervous system can function properly. Along with everything else the nervous system does, it also sends messages throughout the body to get rid of any toxins. Chiropractic adjustments release toxins that have built up. Releasing those toxins improves energy levels.
Can toxins affect weight?
Courtesy of Vibrant Life
Carrying excess fat around the abdomen, hips, and thighs is usually a sign of a hormonal imbalance. No amount of dieting or exercise can correct this problem. Hormonal balance is one of the keys to weight gain and weight loss. Hormones control the metabolism, food cravings, fat burning, and more. Hormone imbalances are caused by disrupting chemicals.
The World Health Organization refers to these disrupting chemicals as “obesogens.” Nearly 800 different chemicals are obesogens. They alter components of the hormonal system that control weight gain. They also interfere with the functionality of the metabolism, fat storage, bone development, and the immune system.
Over 60% of Americans are overweight. Obesity can be a result of genetics and/or behavior. However, it is ultimately controlled by the endocrine system. Shampoos, toothpaste, lotions, soaps, cleaning products, and many other common household items can contain chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system.
Most weight loss programs focus primarily on the diet. Diet is very important, but another key to weight loss is getting the body operating properly. NutriMost is a program which focuses not only on diet and losing weight. NutriMost also addresses how the body is working so that patients can keep the weight off after they have lost it.
Some people have chemicals in their bodies that disrupt hormones and neurotransmitters. When that happens, the body becomes resistant to shedding pounds. NutriMost identifies the chemicals in patients’ bodies that are causing them to store fat instead of burning it.
An assessment measures vitamins, minerals, toxins, and many other components. Once any chemical imbalances have been identified, we put together a personalized plan for getting the body back into balance. Removing toxins from the body is one of the things that sets NutriMost apart from other weight loss programs. Detoxification enables a person to burn fat naturally.
Life In Balance
At Vibrant Life Health Center, we now offer a program that brings all the key components for wellness together under one roof. Our Life In Balance Program addresses weight and nutrition, fitness and exercise, musculoskeletal health, and more. Our goal is to help patients get their lives into balance and to give them all the tools they need to stay in balance. If you have any questions about the Life In Balance Program and you’d like to find out how it can help you, please call to set up an appointment.
Schedule a Free Tytron Scan at Vibrant Life Health Center.
Courtesy of Tytronics
Vibrant Life Health Center is currently offering free Tytron scans through the end of November. See for yourself how this amazing non-invasive device works and how it can help you to get your body back into balance. If you have acute or chronic pain and you’d like to find out how chiropractic can help, set up an appointment with Dr. Thomas at the Vibrant Life Health Center.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of detoxification, call Vibrant Life Health Center. If you’ve been struggling to lose weight, let Dr. Thomas explain how the NutriMost program has helped hundreds of people lose twenty to forty pounds or more in just forty days. If you’d like to check out the Life In Balance plan which can address every area of a patient’s health, call Vibrant Life to set up an appointment.
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In this article, I have discussed the ways that toxins can get into a person’s body and how those toxins can affect a person’s health. I’ve also discussed various ways of getting toxins out of the body.
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, family and colleagues 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 regularly seen 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 Northeast Florida.

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What does Chiropractic have to do with hurricanes?

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

Courtesy of Free Stock Photos
As residents of Northeast Florida recently discovered, a hurricane can be a major disruption. People try to be as prepared as possible, but there never seems to be enough time to prepare fully. When the storm hits, people hunker down and wonder when the power will go out. After the storm hits, they begin to take steps to clean up and then go on with their lives.
Every step of the way, there is some potential for injury. For example, some families have storm supplies in storage. Getting those supplies out of storage may involve gaining access to attics by ladders and pulling heavy items down from shelves. Reaching and lifting storm supplies, which seem like a routine activity, can lead to injury.
Also, in the preparation phase for a serious storm, people buy supplies like canned foods and bottled water. Cases of bottled water and canned foods are heavy. For someone who doesn’t get much exercise, picking up a case of water can cause a back injury.
Another thing that people purchase in anticipation of power outages are generators. In addition to being very heavy, generators are awkward to lift and carry. Just getting a generator out of a truck or van can cause a back injury.
Wikimedia Commons 
Note: When running a generator, it’s very important to read the instructions. Generators produce carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill a person in minutes. Also, since the exhaust from a generator is hot, it’s very important to make sure that the exhaust isn’t pointed toward anything flammable like wood siding.
During a storm, simply moving around a house can become challenging after the power goes out. Even with a flashlight, you don’t see as well as you would with normal lighting. It’s easy to trip or to bump into things when the lights are out. Another storm hazard involves dealing with high winds outside, which can result in a fall.
The danger isn’t over even after the storm passes by. In the aftermath of a storm, people sometimes hurt their backs, shoulders, and necks. There may be large trees or tree limbs that need to be cut and moved. Cutting wood may involve using the shoulder muscles in ways that most people don’t do very often. Then there’s debris that needs to be hauled to the street. Some of that debris can be heavy and awkward to drag.
Courtesy of Vibrant Life 
How can a Chiropractor help?
Anytime a person has a back, neck, or shoulder injury, the first thing he or she should consider is getting checked out by a qualified Chiropractor. A trained Chiropractor knows that there are different kinds of pain and different ways to deal with pain. For example, pulsating pain is frequently associated with the cardiovascular system. Burning pain is often associated with the nervous system. Dull aching pain is frequently associated with muscles.
A Chiropractor understands the differences and knows the best approach to deal with these different types of pain.  Pain is essentially a signal, like a check engine light in a car. It tells people that something is not right in the body. A Chiropractor will assess the signal and figure out what’s causing the problem. Then he or she can get to the root cause.
The spine houses and protects the nervous system. When there is a misalignment in the spine, it can inhibit communication back and forth with the brain. It doesn’t take much of a misalignment to shut a nerve off. At that point, the brain may not be able to properly control a part of the body.
Through spinal decompression, a Chiropractor can increase the space for nerves to send their signals to the brain. There are no vessels in the disks and without Chiropractic, there is no way to remove toxins from the disks. A Chiropractic adjustment can help to rehydrate and nourish the disks.
Chiropractic is the safest form of healthcare available.
There are several different techniques available for dealing with the pain issues that people have. Whereas one technique may work very well for one person, it may not work well for another person with a similar condition. That’s why it’s good to go to a Chiropractor who has been trained in more than one or two techniques. A Chiropractor who knows six, eight or more techniques obviously has more tools at his disposal than a Chiropractor who only knows one or two techniques.
Developing a relationship with a Chiropractor
Courtesy of Vibrant Life 
Many people wait until they have a serious problem before setting up an appointment with a Chiropractor. There’s really no need to do that. When a person goes to a Chiropractor as a part of a routine health regimen, the Chiropractor becomes familiar with the patient’s issues and concerns. That kind of relationship helps the doctor to address a patient’s problems as they come up.
At Vibrant Life Health Center, we now offer the Life in Balance plan which addresses all the needs of our patients. It incorporates weight loss, nutrition, fitness, Chiropractic, and much more. The Life in Balance plan eliminates the need to go to several practitioners who have different specialties.
If you have acute or chronic pain and you’d like to find out how Chiropractic can help, set up an appointment with Dr. Thomas at the Vibrant Life Health Center. If you’ve been trying to lose weight for a long time and just can’t seem to do it, let Dr. Thomas explains the NutriMost program which helps people lose twenty to forty pounds or more in just forty days. And if you’d like to check out the Life In Balance plan which can address every area of a patient’s health, call Vibrant Life to set up an appointment.

This article discusses the different ways Chiropractic can provide the solution to various types of pain. I’ve also provided information about Vibrant Life Health Center’s Life in Balance program which incorporates weight loss, nutrition, fitness, musculoskeletal health, and much more.
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 and colleagues, and also 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 Northeast Florida.

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Functional Medicine

by Dr. Jon Thomas, DC, PSc.D, Board Certified Chiropractic Physician.
Dr. Jeffrey Bland and Susan Bland
“What’s above ground is easier to see and, in many ways, easier to treat. But unless you dig down and uproot the weed, you’ll never contain it; you’ll only stunt its growth.” Jeffrey Bland, PhD, Founder of the Institute for Functional Medicine, as quoted in  Experience Life Magazine
One of the reasons so many people are suffering with poor health these days is that we have not been educated on the definition of true health.  When people understand what health really is, they can actually create their own wellness philosophy and determine which lifestyle approaches are best for them.
What is health?
One core definition of health is “a state of normal function.” If you wish to improve your health, you must first find out what it is that causes you to function optimally. People are more interested than ever before in biking, swimming, running, doing yoga, lifting weights, taking supplements, and proper diet. Most people have begun to realize that they must play an active role in their own health if they want to keep it or get it back. Some of the most common health objectives include:
  • Enhancing overall well-being
  • Overcoming and preventing illness
  • Improving energy level and appearance
  • Increasing the length and quality of life
Courtesy of Wikimedia
However, none of these goals cause the human body to function. To find what really causes you to function nominally, you must first determine what is abnormal in your anatomy.
The Central Nervous System (CNS) is composed of the brain, spinal cord, and spinal nerves. The CNS controls all functions and healing in the human body. To have normal function - a requirement for good health - the CNS must work without damage or interference.
There is a continuous flow of information from the brain to the rest of the body and from the organs back to the brain. When the head is in an abnormal position or there’s a misalignment of individual vertebrae, it will interfere with the flow of information to and from the brain. This interference keeps the organs from functioning normally.
A healthy spine is one of the keys to having a healthy life. It’s also a very important part of Functional Medicine.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine is an approach to health which addresses the whole person, not just whatever symptoms may be bothering someone at any given time.  At Vibrant Life Health Center, we spend time with our patients listening to them and assessing the numerous factors that are influencing their long-term health. We believe that working in close partnership with our patients will help them to achieve their fitness and health goals.
The Institute of Functional Medicine, which was established in the 1990s, asserts that:
  • Functional Medicine offers a powerful new system model for the assessment, treatment, and prevention of chronic disease. It is replacing the outdated and acute-care models from the 20th century.
  • Functional Medicine utilizes the latest in genetic science, systems biology, and understanding of how environmental and lifestyle factors influence the progression of disease.
  • Functional Medicine is enabling physicians and other health professionals to practice personalized medicine. It empowers patients to take an active role in their own health.
Why Functional Medicine?
Most physicians are oriented toward the diagnosis and treatment of trauma or illness that needs to be treated immediately. This is referred to as “acute care” and it includes everything from heart attacks to broken bones. Physicians apply specific treatments, such as drugs or surgery, that aim to treat the immediate problem.

However, the acute-care approach to medicine is ill equipped to address chronic disease. Acute care does not normally take into account factors like stress, diet, and exposure to toxins. Many physicians have no training to assess the underlying causes of complex, chronic diseases. They don’t apply strategies like nutrition, diet, and exercise to treat and prevent illnesses.
Essential Components of Functional Medicine
  • Get the patient’s complete story
  • Identify and address the patient’s lifestyle factors as well as any undesirable environmental factors
  • Address any clinical imbalance the patient may have
  • Establish a working partnership between practitioner and patient.
What is Biofeedback Technology and how does it help patients?
Courtesy undergroundhealthreporter.com
Biofeedback is one of the many tools we use at Vibrant Life Health Center to help patients achieve their health and fitness goals. It ties right in with Functional Medicine. Mayo Clinic has a good definition of biofeedback on their website.
“Biofeedback is a technique you can use to learn to control your body's functions, such as your heart rate. With biofeedback, you're connected to electrical sensors that help you receive information (feedback) about your body (bio). This feedback helps you focus on making subtle changes in your body, such as relaxing certain muscles, to achieve the results you want, such as reducing pain. In essence, biofeedback gives you the power to use your thoughts to control your body, often to improve a health condition or physical performance.” Mayo Clinic
Relaxing sounds like it should be easy, but for a lot of people it’s not. At Vibrant Life, we use biofeedback to help patients train themselves on how to relax. We also use biofeedback to help patients modify their behavior in situations that may cause stress and anxiety.
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In this article, I have discussed Functional Medicine, which addresses all the needs of the patient as opposed to simply treating symptoms and conditions. I’ve also discussed biofeedback technology, one of the tools we use to help patients achieve their health and fitness goals.
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.

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Location: Mandarin, Jacksonville, FL 32223, USA
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