TUESDAY, Nov. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Acupuncture alters the way that the brain perceives and processes pain, a finding that suggests the traditional Chinese treatment can effectively relieve pain, according to a new study.
German researchers used functional MRI scans to measure brain activity in 18 people who received painful electrical currents from a device fitted to their left ankle. The researchers then placed acupuncture needles on the participants' right side -- including between the toes, below the knee and near the thumb -- and again inflicted pain in the left ankle.
Without acupuncture, there was major activation of pain-processing areas of the brain. Activation in these areas was significantly reduced when the volunteers received acupuncture.
The researchers also found that acupuncture reduced activation in areas of the brain that control expectations of pain.
The study was to be presented Tuesday at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, in Chicago.
"Acupuncture is supposed to act through at least two mechanisms, nonspecific expectancy-based effects and specific modulation of the incoming pain signal," lead author Dr. Nina Theysohn of University Hospital in Essen, Germany, said in a news release from the society. "Our findings support that both these nonspecific and specific mechanisms exist, suggesting that acupuncture can help relieve pain."
Source: http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/646589.html
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Chiropractic For Stress
Everybody knows that stress is bad for you, and everybody knows chiropractic helps with spinal pain, but not everybody knows that chiropractic also helps the body recover from and deal with stress.
A study done by the University of Conneticut showed that those individuals who had chiropractic care had improved immune respone, likely due to a reduction in the stress response.
As the body is put under stress, the immune system is depressed. This goes for mental or physical stress; the origin doesn't matter.
Chiropractic care relieves the physical stresses that can cause a decrease in the effectiveness of the immune system and restores the body to proper functioning.
A study done by the University of Conneticut showed that those individuals who had chiropractic care had improved immune respone, likely due to a reduction in the stress response.
As the body is put under stress, the immune system is depressed. This goes for mental or physical stress; the origin doesn't matter.
Chiropractic care relieves the physical stresses that can cause a decrease in the effectiveness of the immune system and restores the body to proper functioning.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The Skinny on Holiday Weight Gain
Reports of your holiday weight gain have been greatly exaggerated. Media stories often suggest that the average person gains 7 to 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas. And in surveys, people say they gain, on average, about five pounds this time of year.
But several studies now show that the average weight gain during the winter holidays is just one pound.
The news isn’t all good. Most people don’t ever lose the pound of weight they put on during the holidays, according to a report in The New England Journal of Medicine. Since the average weight gain during adulthood is about one to two pounds a year, that means much of midlife weight gain can be explained by holiday eating.
For people who are already overweight, the holiday weight news is worse. Although the average gain is only one pound, people who are already overweight tend to gain a lot more. One study found that overweight people gained five pounds or more during the holidays.
And we start packing on that extra pound of holiday weight early in life. Researchers at the University of Oklahoma studied holiday weight gain among college students during the Thanksgiving break. The students were weighed the day before Thanksgiving, then weighed again about two weeks later. The average weight gain for the 94 students was about one pound. Students who were of normal weight gained about a half a pound during the period. Students who were overweight, meaning their body mass index was 25 or more, gained about two pounds.
Holly Hull, the lead researcher on the Oklahoma study, says Thanksgiving marks the beginning of a “high risk” time for the overweight. “I think the number of people who only overeat at the Thanksgiving meal is slim to none,” said Dr. Hull. “The holiday season doesn’t represent one day of overeating. You have this period that extends through the new year where there’s more alcohol, more snacks, more finger foods and appetizers that are energy dense.”
Source: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/22/the-skinny-on-holiday-weight-gain/
But several studies now show that the average weight gain during the winter holidays is just one pound.
The news isn’t all good. Most people don’t ever lose the pound of weight they put on during the holidays, according to a report in The New England Journal of Medicine. Since the average weight gain during adulthood is about one to two pounds a year, that means much of midlife weight gain can be explained by holiday eating.
For people who are already overweight, the holiday weight news is worse. Although the average gain is only one pound, people who are already overweight tend to gain a lot more. One study found that overweight people gained five pounds or more during the holidays.
And we start packing on that extra pound of holiday weight early in life. Researchers at the University of Oklahoma studied holiday weight gain among college students during the Thanksgiving break. The students were weighed the day before Thanksgiving, then weighed again about two weeks later. The average weight gain for the 94 students was about one pound. Students who were of normal weight gained about a half a pound during the period. Students who were overweight, meaning their body mass index was 25 or more, gained about two pounds.
Holly Hull, the lead researcher on the Oklahoma study, says Thanksgiving marks the beginning of a “high risk” time for the overweight. “I think the number of people who only overeat at the Thanksgiving meal is slim to none,” said Dr. Hull. “The holiday season doesn’t represent one day of overeating. You have this period that extends through the new year where there’s more alcohol, more snacks, more finger foods and appetizers that are energy dense.”
Source: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/22/the-skinny-on-holiday-weight-gain/
Friday, November 19, 2010
Free Radical Damage
A lot of people have heard of free radicals, but not a lot of people know that they are related to the aging process.
Free radicals are charged particles that cause a lot of damage on the molecular level to basically anything they touch. They have this property due to the fact that they are missing an electron, which makes them highly reactive.
As free radicals contact the surface of various objects, they strip away an electron and destabilize that other molecule. So, in bits and pieces, free radicals tear down the fabric of whatever material they come into contact with.
This is a problem when that material is you. Free radical damage will break down and damage whatever cells they come into contact with, eventually leading to a loss of function. This gradual decline due to free radical damage is one of the major causes of aging.
That's why antioxidants are so popular... they protect you from the effects of free radicals by absorbing them before they can hurt you.
Source: How To Live Longer
Free radicals are charged particles that cause a lot of damage on the molecular level to basically anything they touch. They have this property due to the fact that they are missing an electron, which makes them highly reactive.
As free radicals contact the surface of various objects, they strip away an electron and destabilize that other molecule. So, in bits and pieces, free radicals tear down the fabric of whatever material they come into contact with.
This is a problem when that material is you. Free radical damage will break down and damage whatever cells they come into contact with, eventually leading to a loss of function. This gradual decline due to free radical damage is one of the major causes of aging.
That's why antioxidants are so popular... they protect you from the effects of free radicals by absorbing them before they can hurt you.
Source: How To Live Longer
Friday, November 12, 2010
Green Tea
Green tea has been known as a healthy beverage for centuries, and a recent scientific article backs up traditional knowledge. Japanese researchers reviewed a large amount of data from many different sources and summarized several conclusions.
Most of their findings were centered around the antioxidant properties of green tea. These are pretty well known, and help increase health and vitality throughout the body, but especially in the blood vessels (it helps keep them elastic).
There's more to it than that, though. Green tea also helps to mineralize (strengthen) the bones, help combat obesity, and even has some anti-viral and anti-fungal properties as well.
Add some green tea in to your daily routine to promote some wellness!
Source article: Health Benefits of Green Tea
Most of their findings were centered around the antioxidant properties of green tea. These are pretty well known, and help increase health and vitality throughout the body, but especially in the blood vessels (it helps keep them elastic).
There's more to it than that, though. Green tea also helps to mineralize (strengthen) the bones, help combat obesity, and even has some anti-viral and anti-fungal properties as well.
Add some green tea in to your daily routine to promote some wellness!
Source article: Health Benefits of Green Tea
Friday, November 5, 2010
Garlic Oil Helps Your Heart
Some new research has shown how garlic helps with keeping the heart and cardiovascular system healthy.
While garlic has been advised for a long time to aid in this sort of health, it's only recently that science has been able to figure out why it's so helpful. It turns out, the antioxidants in garlic are strongly protective to damage caused by free radicals.
Free radicals are damaging, toxic chemicals that are found both in the environment and inside of the body. On contact with body tissues, they chip away at them and make them weaker slowly over time. This is particularly true with heart tissue and the lining of blood vessels.
Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals by essentially absorbing and neutralizing them. Garlic, in particular, has powerful antioxidants that seem particularly effective in protecting the body against the specific free radicals that damage heart muscle versus other kinds of tissue.
So don't skimp out on the garlic! Your heart will thank you!
Source article: Garlic Heart Health
While garlic has been advised for a long time to aid in this sort of health, it's only recently that science has been able to figure out why it's so helpful. It turns out, the antioxidants in garlic are strongly protective to damage caused by free radicals.
Free radicals are damaging, toxic chemicals that are found both in the environment and inside of the body. On contact with body tissues, they chip away at them and make them weaker slowly over time. This is particularly true with heart tissue and the lining of blood vessels.
Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals by essentially absorbing and neutralizing them. Garlic, in particular, has powerful antioxidants that seem particularly effective in protecting the body against the specific free radicals that damage heart muscle versus other kinds of tissue.
So don't skimp out on the garlic! Your heart will thank you!
Source article: Garlic Heart Health
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Exercise Increases Growth Hormone
One benefit of exercise you may not have been aware of is that it increases the level of growth hormone circulating throughout human body. Growth hormone is a vital component of the body's endocrine system that essentially keeps your body young and vibrant.
The effects of increased growth hormone include:
-increased protein synthesis
-increased immune response
-increased muscle mass
-decreased body fat
-increased calcium retention in bone
While growth hormone is occasionally used by athletes looking to gain a competitive edge (this is illegal, by the way), your body naturally secretes it from the pituatary gland, located at the base of the brain. GH levels start to decline around age 30 to 35, and slowly diminish as the years go by.
However, intense exercise has been shown to boost the levels of this hormone, which really does make exercise an anti-aging therapy! Especially helpful are exercises like the leg lunge, a multi-joint body weight leg exercise. For more information on the topic, stop in the office and ask to talk to our personal trainer Ann!
The effects of increased growth hormone include:
-increased protein synthesis
-increased immune response
-increased muscle mass
-decreased body fat
-increased calcium retention in bone
While growth hormone is occasionally used by athletes looking to gain a competitive edge (this is illegal, by the way), your body naturally secretes it from the pituatary gland, located at the base of the brain. GH levels start to decline around age 30 to 35, and slowly diminish as the years go by.
However, intense exercise has been shown to boost the levels of this hormone, which really does make exercise an anti-aging therapy! Especially helpful are exercises like the leg lunge, a multi-joint body weight leg exercise. For more information on the topic, stop in the office and ask to talk to our personal trainer Ann!
Monday, October 18, 2010
FDA bans sketchy weight loss supplement
Another one bites the dust. In the latest in a long string of supplements banned by the FDA, a product called "Slimming Beauty" has been found to contain a dangerous, prescription-only stimulant that isn't even available for use in the United States.
This product is sold over the internet by a company called Beautiful Health, and contains sibutramine, which is a prescription stimulant that has been found to cause cardiovascular problems, kidney disease, and death.
People need to stop trying to find shortcuts to weight loss, which only leads to unwanted and potentially disastrous side effects. The best way to lose body fat will always be fixing your diet and exercise habits. There really is no other safe way to do it.
If you're feeling like you need some guidance in this area, Triune has professionals that can help you with your diet and exercise program. Simply contact the office and we can arrange for a consultation.
Source article: Dangerous Weight Loss Supplement
This product is sold over the internet by a company called Beautiful Health, and contains sibutramine, which is a prescription stimulant that has been found to cause cardiovascular problems, kidney disease, and death.
People need to stop trying to find shortcuts to weight loss, which only leads to unwanted and potentially disastrous side effects. The best way to lose body fat will always be fixing your diet and exercise habits. There really is no other safe way to do it.
If you're feeling like you need some guidance in this area, Triune has professionals that can help you with your diet and exercise program. Simply contact the office and we can arrange for a consultation.
Source article: Dangerous Weight Loss Supplement
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Scientific Proof Massage Reduces Stress
A recent study proves that massage really does reduce the biochemical effects of stress. Namely, it reduces the levels of a stress hormone called cortisol, which does a great deal of damage to the body in chronic doses.
Your body normally produces cortisol in response to stress, which is not a problem in small doses. However, long term exposure to cortisol causes damage to the body; in fact, a lot of chronic diseases are being linked to coritsol.
In this scientific study, subjects had their blood tested before and after a massage. The researchers found that levels of cortisol were lower in the Swedish massage group of subjects. In other words, massage really does have a biochemical effect on your stress levels!
So don't call that massage a luxury. Stress is a killer and health is wealth, so take care of yourself and get regular massage to reverse the effects of a stressful life!
Source article here: Proof of Massage and Stress Reduction
Your body normally produces cortisol in response to stress, which is not a problem in small doses. However, long term exposure to cortisol causes damage to the body; in fact, a lot of chronic diseases are being linked to coritsol.
In this scientific study, subjects had their blood tested before and after a massage. The researchers found that levels of cortisol were lower in the Swedish massage group of subjects. In other words, massage really does have a biochemical effect on your stress levels!
So don't call that massage a luxury. Stress is a killer and health is wealth, so take care of yourself and get regular massage to reverse the effects of a stressful life!
Source article here: Proof of Massage and Stress Reduction
Monday, September 20, 2010
Glucosamine Sulfate
A recent study in the British Medical Journal casts doubt on whether or not glucosamine sulfate actually is effective for joint pain. However, most of the studies on this supplement are flawed because they don't have their subjects use the supplement properly.
In my experience, about half of the people who try glucosamine see results. However, there's a few guidelines you need to follow in order to have any chance at all.
First off, you have to take it consistently. This means every day, and don't miss a dose. Then, you have to give it time. Generally speaking, you'll need to take glucosamine consistently for six to eight weeks minimum in order to find out if it's going to do you any good.
The other part that's usually missed when it comes to glucosamine supplements is that a little exercise is necessary to make it work right. Light and mild exercise will actually promote the creation of cartilage, which is what you want when you're taking glucosamine.
By placing a little bit of stress on the joint with that exercise, you will tell the body to build that joint back up, and then your body will utilize the building blocks (in the form of glucosamine) that you've been taking. Just don't overdo it! Too much exercise will continue the process of breaking the joint down.
Basically speaking, if you can do the exercise pain-free, you're not going to cause any problems. If you have discomfort, don't do it. Try to pick non-impact exercises like walking or swimming.
This is the "hidden" secret to using glucosamine properly: make sure you have a mild bit of exercise along with it to encourage the body to actually put the supplement to good use.
Source: Does Glucosamine Work?
In my experience, about half of the people who try glucosamine see results. However, there's a few guidelines you need to follow in order to have any chance at all.
First off, you have to take it consistently. This means every day, and don't miss a dose. Then, you have to give it time. Generally speaking, you'll need to take glucosamine consistently for six to eight weeks minimum in order to find out if it's going to do you any good.
The other part that's usually missed when it comes to glucosamine supplements is that a little exercise is necessary to make it work right. Light and mild exercise will actually promote the creation of cartilage, which is what you want when you're taking glucosamine.
By placing a little bit of stress on the joint with that exercise, you will tell the body to build that joint back up, and then your body will utilize the building blocks (in the form of glucosamine) that you've been taking. Just don't overdo it! Too much exercise will continue the process of breaking the joint down.
Basically speaking, if you can do the exercise pain-free, you're not going to cause any problems. If you have discomfort, don't do it. Try to pick non-impact exercises like walking or swimming.
This is the "hidden" secret to using glucosamine properly: make sure you have a mild bit of exercise along with it to encourage the body to actually put the supplement to good use.
Source: Does Glucosamine Work?
Friday, September 10, 2010
Why Take A Multivitamin?
Since we here at Triune recently started carrying a new line of whole food-based supplements, I've been getting a lot of questions about exactly why someone would take a multivitamin in the first place.
It's a fair question. After all, shouldn't we be able to get everything we need from our diet?
The answer to that is, yes and no. First off, are you really eating that healthy of a diet? Most Americans are not. We eat a lot of packaged, processed foods which, although convenient and inexpensive, aren't very good for us. Lots of these foods have had most of the nutrients taken out of them by the refining process.
So that's the first place a multivitamin can help... by filling some gaps left by a diet that might be less than indeal. But even if you're eating the right things, you can still run into problems.
Government studies have shown a disturbing trend with fruits and vegetables; namely, that they don't have as much of the vitamins and minerals in them that they used to. This is likely due to overfarming and industrial food practices, but the end result is, you might not be getting what you think you're getting in your food... even if you do make the right choices. So there's another place a multivitamin can help fill gaps: making up for the potential lack of nutrients in supposedly healthy foods.
Finally, there just may be gaps caused by the random assortment of foods you happened to pick that day. Who's going to research and plan out every bit of food they eat every day to make sure all of the possible vitamins and minerals are covered? So there's another reason to take a multivitamin... because you just never know what you might have missed.
Essentially, multivitamins function best as insurance against potential gaps in nutrition. The good news is, they're quite inexpensive. Ask us about Catalyn, the new all-natural, whole foods-based multivitamin, and you'll be surprised at how inexpensive it is and what it has to offer!
It's a fair question. After all, shouldn't we be able to get everything we need from our diet?
The answer to that is, yes and no. First off, are you really eating that healthy of a diet? Most Americans are not. We eat a lot of packaged, processed foods which, although convenient and inexpensive, aren't very good for us. Lots of these foods have had most of the nutrients taken out of them by the refining process.
So that's the first place a multivitamin can help... by filling some gaps left by a diet that might be less than indeal. But even if you're eating the right things, you can still run into problems.
Government studies have shown a disturbing trend with fruits and vegetables; namely, that they don't have as much of the vitamins and minerals in them that they used to. This is likely due to overfarming and industrial food practices, but the end result is, you might not be getting what you think you're getting in your food... even if you do make the right choices. So there's another place a multivitamin can help fill gaps: making up for the potential lack of nutrients in supposedly healthy foods.
Finally, there just may be gaps caused by the random assortment of foods you happened to pick that day. Who's going to research and plan out every bit of food they eat every day to make sure all of the possible vitamins and minerals are covered? So there's another reason to take a multivitamin... because you just never know what you might have missed.
Essentially, multivitamins function best as insurance against potential gaps in nutrition. The good news is, they're quite inexpensive. Ask us about Catalyn, the new all-natural, whole foods-based multivitamin, and you'll be surprised at how inexpensive it is and what it has to offer!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Ab Workouts for Mom
Moms face an extra difficult challenge when it comes to their ab workout. Not only are they dealing with the weight gain and body changes associated with a recent pregnancy, but also the demands of caring for their children make it harder for them to actually get their training in.
In this article, I hope to give you some quick information that will make it easier for you moms to bounce back as quickly as possible. The good news is, abs training is cheap and relatively easy. You don’t have to belong to a gym and the two pieces of equipment I usually recommend (stability ball and medicine ball) cost around twenty bucks each.
Plus, you can do it in your home and sneak it in pretty quickly. You first have to make up your mind that you can do it, though. Once you try it out a few times, you’ll see that even with a mom’s crazy schedule, you too can fit in some effective abs training.
First off, avoid heavy resistance. You don’t need to mess with any heavy dumbbells or gym equipment… in fact, I suggest you avoid all that. Heavy resistance training builds bulk and you don’t want that. Stick with very light resistance or body weight based exercises.
Next, split up your training. What I mean by that is, remember that you have front abs, side abs, and what I like to call the “rear abs” or lower back extensors that make up your core. Each needs to be trained… but they don’t all have to be done at one. You can more easily sneak in your front abs training alone, then come back later to side abs, then later still for the extensors, much more easily than trying to find the time to do them all together.
By separating them out, now you only need a few spare minutes here and there to get your training in. It’s MUCH easier to fit in, say, five minutes of exercise three different times, than fifteen minutes straight. Make things easier for yourself.
Finally, target your lower front abs and tranversus (that’s a deep muscle that goes around your stomach like a girdle). These are usually the problem areas for moms, and here’s a great exercise to handle them.
It’s called the ball transfer and it’s what it sounds like. Lie on your back with legs flat and arms overhead holding a medicine ball or exercise ball (your choice). Lift up your legs and put the ball in between your lower legs and squeeze to hold it there. Lower your arms and legs to the floor (the ball is still between your legs). Lift them back up and take the ball from between your legs and hold it in your hands. Lower your arms and legs to the floor. Now you’re right back where you started, so just repeat. You’ll feel it soon enough.
While you do the exercise, visualize pressing your belly button to your spine (or sucking your gut in, whichever image works). This will engage that deep transversus muscle.
For more information on this or any other fitness training, come in and talk to our fitness instructor, Ann. She offers free introductory sessions!
Source: Ab workout information for moms
In this article, I hope to give you some quick information that will make it easier for you moms to bounce back as quickly as possible. The good news is, abs training is cheap and relatively easy. You don’t have to belong to a gym and the two pieces of equipment I usually recommend (stability ball and medicine ball) cost around twenty bucks each.
Plus, you can do it in your home and sneak it in pretty quickly. You first have to make up your mind that you can do it, though. Once you try it out a few times, you’ll see that even with a mom’s crazy schedule, you too can fit in some effective abs training.
First off, avoid heavy resistance. You don’t need to mess with any heavy dumbbells or gym equipment… in fact, I suggest you avoid all that. Heavy resistance training builds bulk and you don’t want that. Stick with very light resistance or body weight based exercises.
Next, split up your training. What I mean by that is, remember that you have front abs, side abs, and what I like to call the “rear abs” or lower back extensors that make up your core. Each needs to be trained… but they don’t all have to be done at one. You can more easily sneak in your front abs training alone, then come back later to side abs, then later still for the extensors, much more easily than trying to find the time to do them all together.
By separating them out, now you only need a few spare minutes here and there to get your training in. It’s MUCH easier to fit in, say, five minutes of exercise three different times, than fifteen minutes straight. Make things easier for yourself.
Finally, target your lower front abs and tranversus (that’s a deep muscle that goes around your stomach like a girdle). These are usually the problem areas for moms, and here’s a great exercise to handle them.
It’s called the ball transfer and it’s what it sounds like. Lie on your back with legs flat and arms overhead holding a medicine ball or exercise ball (your choice). Lift up your legs and put the ball in between your lower legs and squeeze to hold it there. Lower your arms and legs to the floor (the ball is still between your legs). Lift them back up and take the ball from between your legs and hold it in your hands. Lower your arms and legs to the floor. Now you’re right back where you started, so just repeat. You’ll feel it soon enough.
While you do the exercise, visualize pressing your belly button to your spine (or sucking your gut in, whichever image works). This will engage that deep transversus muscle.
For more information on this or any other fitness training, come in and talk to our fitness instructor, Ann. She offers free introductory sessions!
Source: Ab workout information for moms
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Can You Use Theanine As An Autism Supplement?
Autism is a developmental condition that can be difficult to deal with and is surprisingly common as well. It is a neurological developmental disorder, characterized by problems with social development and communication, and children with autism often perform repetitive or compulsive tasks.
Widely believed to be genetic in nature, cues or stresses from the environment can trigger or worsen these sorts of conditions. You've may have heard some of the controversial arguments about the possible link of certain vaccines and autism- we're not going to get into that in this article. Rather, I'd like to discuss a supplement called theanine and it's potential for helping those with autism.
Theanine is an amino acid commonly found in tea and also available as a supplement. One of the interesting properties of theanine is that it can cross the blood-brain barrier.
Your brain does not use blood for nourishment like the rest of your body. Rather, the central nervous system is supplied by a filtrate of blood called cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF). This is the fluid drawn off and tested in a "spinal tap".
Most substances including medications cannot pass this barrier and get filtered out. Some thing can make it through, and therefore can have an effect on the brain, like theanine.
Studies suggest theanine can affect levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. More importantly, theanine has been shown to increase alpha wave activity in the brain.
Alpha waves are brain patterns which are typically referred to as "wakeful relaxation". Think of being awake and alert but with your eyes closed and being very calm. That's an alpha wave state.
Some believe that by encouraging the alpha wave state in the brain, some of the symptoms of autism could be alleviated. While there are no studies specifically on this, it does seem to make some sense physiologically. It's certainly not a cure, but it is possible that it may help.
If you're wondering if theanine really promotes alpha waves and calm, our very own Rita swears by it to calm herself down for the dentist!
There isn't any reason not to try it. Theanine is extremely safe and has been shown to be safe even at high doses.
Source article: Theaninie Autism Supplement?
Widely believed to be genetic in nature, cues or stresses from the environment can trigger or worsen these sorts of conditions. You've may have heard some of the controversial arguments about the possible link of certain vaccines and autism- we're not going to get into that in this article. Rather, I'd like to discuss a supplement called theanine and it's potential for helping those with autism.
Theanine is an amino acid commonly found in tea and also available as a supplement. One of the interesting properties of theanine is that it can cross the blood-brain barrier.
Your brain does not use blood for nourishment like the rest of your body. Rather, the central nervous system is supplied by a filtrate of blood called cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF). This is the fluid drawn off and tested in a "spinal tap".
Most substances including medications cannot pass this barrier and get filtered out. Some thing can make it through, and therefore can have an effect on the brain, like theanine.
Studies suggest theanine can affect levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. More importantly, theanine has been shown to increase alpha wave activity in the brain.
Alpha waves are brain patterns which are typically referred to as "wakeful relaxation". Think of being awake and alert but with your eyes closed and being very calm. That's an alpha wave state.
Some believe that by encouraging the alpha wave state in the brain, some of the symptoms of autism could be alleviated. While there are no studies specifically on this, it does seem to make some sense physiologically. It's certainly not a cure, but it is possible that it may help.
If you're wondering if theanine really promotes alpha waves and calm, our very own Rita swears by it to calm herself down for the dentist!
There isn't any reason not to try it. Theanine is extremely safe and has been shown to be safe even at high doses.
Source article: Theaninie Autism Supplement?
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Red Meat Not Bad For You After All
Good news for steak lovers. New research shows that the long-standing theory that red meat is a big part of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic ailments isn't correct after all.
Instead, the main issue appears to be with PROCESSED meats. It appears that in previous research, the researchers simply lumped all forms of red meat together, whether or not it was processed. So, people eating grass-fed steak (a healthy variety of red meat) got lumped in the same category as somebody eating a ketchup-covered hamburger with a side of french fries.
Since most of the red meat in this country is processed, this creates the appearance that ALL red meat is bad for you. However, once you seperate out the actual true physiological cause of chronic heart disease and other complaints, it becomes evident that the real problem is in the processing of the meat, and also, what is consumed along with it.
People rarely eat hamburgers without a soda and fries, right? And so if I'm a researcher and I see that everybody eating hamburgers is fat and has heart disease, I might assume it's become of the red meat, not the fact that the people involved are also eating tons of fried, salty potatoes and sugar-rich soda.
There's actually nothing wrong with red meat. In fact, grass-fed cattle produce a very healthy meat balanced in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids (I've posted articles before on this in relation to fish oils). So don't run away from a nice, grass-fed steak... just don't smother it in sugary barbeque sauce and eat a pile of french fries with it!
Source file: Red Meat Bad for You?
Instead, the main issue appears to be with PROCESSED meats. It appears that in previous research, the researchers simply lumped all forms of red meat together, whether or not it was processed. So, people eating grass-fed steak (a healthy variety of red meat) got lumped in the same category as somebody eating a ketchup-covered hamburger with a side of french fries.
Since most of the red meat in this country is processed, this creates the appearance that ALL red meat is bad for you. However, once you seperate out the actual true physiological cause of chronic heart disease and other complaints, it becomes evident that the real problem is in the processing of the meat, and also, what is consumed along with it.
People rarely eat hamburgers without a soda and fries, right? And so if I'm a researcher and I see that everybody eating hamburgers is fat and has heart disease, I might assume it's become of the red meat, not the fact that the people involved are also eating tons of fried, salty potatoes and sugar-rich soda.
There's actually nothing wrong with red meat. In fact, grass-fed cattle produce a very healthy meat balanced in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids (I've posted articles before on this in relation to fish oils). So don't run away from a nice, grass-fed steak... just don't smother it in sugary barbeque sauce and eat a pile of french fries with it!
Source file: Red Meat Bad for You?
Thursday, August 12, 2010
How Sugar Makes You Fat
Have you heard of terms like “glycemic index”? How about just “low carb diets”? There’s a ton of buzz out there about sugar and sugary foods and how they make you fat, but not a lot of people know just how that whole thing works.
It’s not magic. It’s actually a pretty straightforward mechanism.
It’s all about insulin, a hormone that your body uses to remove sugar from the bloodstream. When sugar is released into the blood by digestion, the body releases insulin to clear it out.
When sugar levels rise slowly, there’s no problem. The problem arises when blood sugar levels spike from consuming high-glycemic (sugary carbs) food.
When that happens, your body also will spike your insulin levels to meet with the sugar demand. This is where we start running into problems.
High levels of insulin tell the body to store and keep fat. In fact, with high insulin levels, you’ll keep fat even if you’ve cut your calories down and feel like you’re starving.
In addition, insulin blocks the action of glucagon, the hormone that your body uses to use up fat as a fuel source, so it turns into a double-barrel problem.
Make that triple! Insulin also blocks the action of growth hormone, which also burns up fat and also is involved with the creation of new muscle growth. So, high levels of insulin have a multi-pronged effect on your body. Think of it as the Triple Threat of Fatness.
As your blood sugar levels start to drop due to the action of insulin,that signals your body to start feeling hungry. So, not only does insulin keep you fat, it makes you want to eat more! And especially, it makes you want to eat more carbs!
So, it shouldn’t seem too surprising that high-carb, high-sugar diets make us fat. With insulin levels jumping all over the place, making us fat and hungry at the same time, it’s a recipe for disaster!
If you’ve got a little extra jiggle around the middle that you’ve been meaning to get rid of, stop in Triune and ask about our new personal trainer, Ann Gruber. She’s a fitness competitor and offers free trial sessions, so there’s nothing to lose but inches!
It’s not magic. It’s actually a pretty straightforward mechanism.
It’s all about insulin, a hormone that your body uses to remove sugar from the bloodstream. When sugar is released into the blood by digestion, the body releases insulin to clear it out.
When sugar levels rise slowly, there’s no problem. The problem arises when blood sugar levels spike from consuming high-glycemic (sugary carbs) food.
When that happens, your body also will spike your insulin levels to meet with the sugar demand. This is where we start running into problems.
High levels of insulin tell the body to store and keep fat. In fact, with high insulin levels, you’ll keep fat even if you’ve cut your calories down and feel like you’re starving.
In addition, insulin blocks the action of glucagon, the hormone that your body uses to use up fat as a fuel source, so it turns into a double-barrel problem.
Make that triple! Insulin also blocks the action of growth hormone, which also burns up fat and also is involved with the creation of new muscle growth. So, high levels of insulin have a multi-pronged effect on your body. Think of it as the Triple Threat of Fatness.
As your blood sugar levels start to drop due to the action of insulin,that signals your body to start feeling hungry. So, not only does insulin keep you fat, it makes you want to eat more! And especially, it makes you want to eat more carbs!
So, it shouldn’t seem too surprising that high-carb, high-sugar diets make us fat. With insulin levels jumping all over the place, making us fat and hungry at the same time, it’s a recipe for disaster!
If you’ve got a little extra jiggle around the middle that you’ve been meaning to get rid of, stop in Triune and ask about our new personal trainer, Ann Gruber. She’s a fitness competitor and offers free trial sessions, so there’s nothing to lose but inches!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Dangerous Weight Loss Drug Pulled From Market
A very dangerous weight loss supplement called Que She was recently pulled from the market by the Food and Drug Adminstration, and for good reason. It contains various prescription medications, including one of the two drugs in the Fen-Phen combo that was outlawed in 1997.
This particular drug created a lot of heart problems for those taking it, in particular, issues with damage to the valves of the heart. When the one-way heart valves are damaged, blood can back up and leak back into the heart, making it harder for circulation to proceed normally. This is the cause of what many people refer to as a "heart murmur". A lot of people ended up having these kinds of problems from taking this weight loss medication, and as a result, Fen-Phen was pulled from the market and a whole lot of lawsuit began to fly.
There were several other prescription medications found in Que She, all of which have the potential to create or worsen various cardiovascular conditions.
The most important thing to take away from this is to recognize that short cuts just don't work with weight loss. The only true way to lose weight and get fit is to fix your diet and get the right kind of exercise.
That can be difficult, but you do have resources to help you. Here at Triune, we recently brough on board an excellent personal trainer named Ann Gruber. Ann is a fitness competitor with ten years of experience in the fitness industry. She offers one free training session to Triune members, so ask us about it on your next visit and give her a try!
But skip the crazy, dangerous supplements!
This particular drug created a lot of heart problems for those taking it, in particular, issues with damage to the valves of the heart. When the one-way heart valves are damaged, blood can back up and leak back into the heart, making it harder for circulation to proceed normally. This is the cause of what many people refer to as a "heart murmur". A lot of people ended up having these kinds of problems from taking this weight loss medication, and as a result, Fen-Phen was pulled from the market and a whole lot of lawsuit began to fly.
There were several other prescription medications found in Que She, all of which have the potential to create or worsen various cardiovascular conditions.
The most important thing to take away from this is to recognize that short cuts just don't work with weight loss. The only true way to lose weight and get fit is to fix your diet and get the right kind of exercise.
That can be difficult, but you do have resources to help you. Here at Triune, we recently brough on board an excellent personal trainer named Ann Gruber. Ann is a fitness competitor with ten years of experience in the fitness industry. She offers one free training session to Triune members, so ask us about it on your next visit and give her a try!
But skip the crazy, dangerous supplements!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Fish Oils and Breast Cancer Risk
Breast cancer is a devastating disease with a tremendous amount of impact on our society, so it's always good news when any forward strides on dealing with this menace are found. Recently, scientific study examined the relationship of fish oil supplements with the incidence of breast cancer, and found some surprising results.
The study itself was massive... over 30,000 women were interviewed and followed over the course of six years. It's always incredible to me when I read about long-term studies of that magnitude, and try to realize the scope of effort required to track that many people for that long of a time.
In this case, the payoff was worth it. Those women who reported that they were taking fish oil supplements also had a significantly lower incidence of breast cancer.
How much lower? Over 30% lower! Talk about a big difference!
This is big news for women who have a family history of this type of cancer, of course, and the best part of it is, fish oils are a natural substance that have significant health benefits in many other areas, especially inflammation. So, now there's another very big reason to consider adding fish oils as a supplement to a healthy diet and wellness lifestyle!
Source: Fish Oil and Breast Cancer Risk
The study itself was massive... over 30,000 women were interviewed and followed over the course of six years. It's always incredible to me when I read about long-term studies of that magnitude, and try to realize the scope of effort required to track that many people for that long of a time.
In this case, the payoff was worth it. Those women who reported that they were taking fish oil supplements also had a significantly lower incidence of breast cancer.
How much lower? Over 30% lower! Talk about a big difference!
This is big news for women who have a family history of this type of cancer, of course, and the best part of it is, fish oils are a natural substance that have significant health benefits in many other areas, especially inflammation. So, now there's another very big reason to consider adding fish oils as a supplement to a healthy diet and wellness lifestyle!
Source: Fish Oil and Breast Cancer Risk
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Caffeinate Your Workout
By Ann Gruber Triunes Personal Trainer and Nutrition Consultant
I am proud to announce that I am a Starbucks Gold Card holder! The day I received my Gold Card in the mail was a very exciting day. My loved ones (my boyfriend) scoffed at my Gold Card out of mere jealousy and tried to claim his alleged “VIP” status at the Vitamin Shoppe was better, but I’m the one getting free coffees and refills at Starbucks! I frequently hear people telling me they proudly abstain from coffee and caffeine for health purposes; however, research has shown that caffeine provides so many benefits, especially for those who are looking to maximize their time in the gym.
Several studies have shown the benefits of working out while caffeinated. Such benefits include increased strength and endurance, better fat burning and improved recovery. If that is not enough to convince you, then maybe this will. Research has shown that individuals who drink 3-4 cups of coffee a day have 25% less chance of acquiring type-2 diabetes. Furthermore, studies that have looked at coffee’s effect on prostate health found that male participants who drank the most coffee had a 60% lower incidence of prostate cancer. One of coffee’s many polyphenols is likely responsible for this. Coffee contains many polyphenols which are potent plant chemicals and are, most likely, the root of many of the health benefits attributed to coffee.
If you are convinced now, then try supplementing with 200-400 mg of caffeine capsules about one hour before you work out. Eight ounces of coffee generally contains between 60-135 mg of caffeine. Other healthy sources of caffeine include espresso, black tea and green tea. I, personally, consume green tea extract before my cardio sessions. The downside of caffeine, unfortunately, is that it can be addictive. I have been drinking coffee ritually in the mornings for years, and when I have been forced to miss my morning coffee, the pounding headache I have by the afternoon is enough to make me sick. This may not sound appealing at all, but moderation is the key to life! With that being said, some key points to remember when embarking on a program of caffeine supplementation: 1) it is most effective when ingested prior to your workout, 2) stick with healthy caffeine sources such as coffee and green tea, and 3) don’t buy the Dunkin Donuts Box O’ Joe, unless you have 10 friends you want to share it with, or else you are asking for a headache.
Ann Gruber is an NASM-certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant at Triune. Contact Triune today to set an initial complimentary personal training session with Ann.
By Ann Gruber Triunes Personal Trainer and Nutrition Consultant
I am proud to announce that I am a Starbucks Gold Card holder! The day I received my Gold Card in the mail was a very exciting day. My loved ones (my boyfriend) scoffed at my Gold Card out of mere jealousy and tried to claim his alleged “VIP” status at the Vitamin Shoppe was better, but I’m the one getting free coffees and refills at Starbucks! I frequently hear people telling me they proudly abstain from coffee and caffeine for health purposes; however, research has shown that caffeine provides so many benefits, especially for those who are looking to maximize their time in the gym.
Several studies have shown the benefits of working out while caffeinated. Such benefits include increased strength and endurance, better fat burning and improved recovery. If that is not enough to convince you, then maybe this will. Research has shown that individuals who drink 3-4 cups of coffee a day have 25% less chance of acquiring type-2 diabetes. Furthermore, studies that have looked at coffee’s effect on prostate health found that male participants who drank the most coffee had a 60% lower incidence of prostate cancer. One of coffee’s many polyphenols is likely responsible for this. Coffee contains many polyphenols which are potent plant chemicals and are, most likely, the root of many of the health benefits attributed to coffee.
If you are convinced now, then try supplementing with 200-400 mg of caffeine capsules about one hour before you work out. Eight ounces of coffee generally contains between 60-135 mg of caffeine. Other healthy sources of caffeine include espresso, black tea and green tea. I, personally, consume green tea extract before my cardio sessions. The downside of caffeine, unfortunately, is that it can be addictive. I have been drinking coffee ritually in the mornings for years, and when I have been forced to miss my morning coffee, the pounding headache I have by the afternoon is enough to make me sick. This may not sound appealing at all, but moderation is the key to life! With that being said, some key points to remember when embarking on a program of caffeine supplementation: 1) it is most effective when ingested prior to your workout, 2) stick with healthy caffeine sources such as coffee and green tea, and 3) don’t buy the Dunkin Donuts Box O’ Joe, unless you have 10 friends you want to share it with, or else you are asking for a headache.
Ann Gruber is an NASM-certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant at Triune. Contact Triune today to set an initial complimentary personal training session with Ann.
Wow! Chocolate can help your heart!
Good news for you chocolate lovers. Turns out your dark master, the cocoa bean, can actually help with your cardiovascular health.
A new study shows that a supplement high in flavanols- the antioxidant in chocolate- can increase the levels of Circulating Angiogenic Cells (CACs), which are cells that float through the bloodstream and fix and maintain blood vessels. They also help create new blood vessels, but in this case, we're mostly interested in that they fix the regular wear and tear that occurs on a day to day basis in your vascular system.
Like any other part of your body, the blood vessels suffer micro damage on a daily basis, like scuff marks on drywall. The CACs float around, note that damage, and fill on the hole and repair it like spackle in drywall.
When that does NOT happen, those holes and pockmarks get worse and worse, and the damaged arteries begin to fill up with plaque deposits made up of cholesterol, eventually leading to blockage of the artery. You've probably heard of this before in connection with people suffering from heart attacks- their cornonary (heart) arteries get blocked up to the point where the heart doesn't get enough blood supply and begins to suffer damage as a result.
So, flavanols in chocolate will help keep your arteries maintained and healthy, so that this process doesn't occur. Now, don't go overboard, or the calories will end up making you chubby, and look for the darkest chocolate you can find. The darker the chocolate, the more flavanols are contained within.
Source article: Chocolate for a Healthy Heart
A new study shows that a supplement high in flavanols- the antioxidant in chocolate- can increase the levels of Circulating Angiogenic Cells (CACs), which are cells that float through the bloodstream and fix and maintain blood vessels. They also help create new blood vessels, but in this case, we're mostly interested in that they fix the regular wear and tear that occurs on a day to day basis in your vascular system.
Like any other part of your body, the blood vessels suffer micro damage on a daily basis, like scuff marks on drywall. The CACs float around, note that damage, and fill on the hole and repair it like spackle in drywall.
When that does NOT happen, those holes and pockmarks get worse and worse, and the damaged arteries begin to fill up with plaque deposits made up of cholesterol, eventually leading to blockage of the artery. You've probably heard of this before in connection with people suffering from heart attacks- their cornonary (heart) arteries get blocked up to the point where the heart doesn't get enough blood supply and begins to suffer damage as a result.
So, flavanols in chocolate will help keep your arteries maintained and healthy, so that this process doesn't occur. Now, don't go overboard, or the calories will end up making you chubby, and look for the darkest chocolate you can find. The darker the chocolate, the more flavanols are contained within.
Source article: Chocolate for a Healthy Heart
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
What's a TENS unit?
In our office, we address neck pain, low back pain, and related spinal complaints mostly by two methods. First and foremost, we deal with the neurological cause of the symptoms through the chiropractic adjustments.
Secondly, we address the muscle spasm that goes along with it by using electric muscle stimulation (EMS), or stim for short. Stim blocks pain messages and helps to reduce the levels of muscle spasm through direct electrical action. Four pads transmit the energy, which feels like an electrical tickle at low levels, and more like an electrical massage at more intense levels.
Many patient find a lot of relief from the EMS therapy, which is why we use it so often. Some people like it so much, they ask us how much one of our EMS machines cost.
The short answer is, too much for the individual to buy just for their home. But, there is a portable version called a TENS unit, which is a battery-operated version about the size of a large cell phone.
They don't have the power or options of the big, permenant devices, but they do a good job of providing temporary relief for people who have chronic pain or problems between chiropractic visits.
For patients who could use that sort of portable relief, we can arrange for a TENS unit for you. A lot of times, these are covered by insurance. Ask us on your next visit and we'll fill you in on the details.
Secondly, we address the muscle spasm that goes along with it by using electric muscle stimulation (EMS), or stim for short. Stim blocks pain messages and helps to reduce the levels of muscle spasm through direct electrical action. Four pads transmit the energy, which feels like an electrical tickle at low levels, and more like an electrical massage at more intense levels.
Many patient find a lot of relief from the EMS therapy, which is why we use it so often. Some people like it so much, they ask us how much one of our EMS machines cost.
The short answer is, too much for the individual to buy just for their home. But, there is a portable version called a TENS unit, which is a battery-operated version about the size of a large cell phone.
They don't have the power or options of the big, permenant devices, but they do a good job of providing temporary relief for people who have chronic pain or problems between chiropractic visits.
For patients who could use that sort of portable relief, we can arrange for a TENS unit for you. A lot of times, these are covered by insurance. Ask us on your next visit and we'll fill you in on the details.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Trying out Accupuncture
Recently, I injured my lower back (which is always ironic for a chiroprator to do), which actually gave me an opportunity to try accupuncture for the first time. Since I'm scared of needles, I've been putting it off, but this time, I had to try it out or risk not being able to see patients that day.
Well, it turns out the needles are pretty tiny. While I was still completely terrified of them at first, after the first one went in and I barely noticed it, the fear went away. To call it a pinch is a big, big overstatement.
After the needle is inserted (through tapping on the back of it) about an eighth of an inch in, you feel a bit of an achy sensation in the area of the needle... I'd say about the size of a dime. Gurneet, our accupuncturist, told me that was the chi, or energy. It subsides after a few minutes.
After that, I had a few other strange sensations, as the needles were left in for about twenty minutes or so. They were difficult to describe, but perhaps pressure, or weight, is close to accurate.
Immediately following the treatment, I had slightly increased mobility and slightly reduced pain. An hour later, I had much more noticeable improvement, and a few hours later, I felt dramatically better. I've also had a faster recovery in the days following the injury then I have with previous, similar problems.
So, despite my continuing fear of needles, I'll be in to see Gurneet again soon for a more comprehensive treatment. In the meantime, if you're having a stubborn time with your condition, talk to Gurneet in our office- she does free consults- and give accupuncture a try.
Well, it turns out the needles are pretty tiny. While I was still completely terrified of them at first, after the first one went in and I barely noticed it, the fear went away. To call it a pinch is a big, big overstatement.
After the needle is inserted (through tapping on the back of it) about an eighth of an inch in, you feel a bit of an achy sensation in the area of the needle... I'd say about the size of a dime. Gurneet, our accupuncturist, told me that was the chi, or energy. It subsides after a few minutes.
After that, I had a few other strange sensations, as the needles were left in for about twenty minutes or so. They were difficult to describe, but perhaps pressure, or weight, is close to accurate.
Immediately following the treatment, I had slightly increased mobility and slightly reduced pain. An hour later, I had much more noticeable improvement, and a few hours later, I felt dramatically better. I've also had a faster recovery in the days following the injury then I have with previous, similar problems.
So, despite my continuing fear of needles, I'll be in to see Gurneet again soon for a more comprehensive treatment. In the meantime, if you're having a stubborn time with your condition, talk to Gurneet in our office- she does free consults- and give accupuncture a try.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Mental Fitness
By Ann Gruber, Triune's Personal Trainer & Nutritional Consultant
Flipping through this month’s issue of Oxygen or Muscle & Fitness, women and men with perfectly sculpted arms and rippling abs adorn the pages, advertising this month’s latest scientific phenomenon that will magically transform us into a body of steel. I have a love/hate relationship with these men and women. I love them because they inspire me. I hate them because they deflate me. The ads fail to detail the hours of hard work they have spent in the gym, the number of ice cream cones they have painfully bypassed, the high-calorie dinners out they have turned down and, not to mention, the mental commitments they have made to get the body they can proudly flaunt in the magazines. Most of us have the desire to get that 6-pack, but become easily overwhelmed when faced with the challenges that come along with it, which inevitably derail us from our goals.
What if we made the commitment to hit the gym and eat healthy just for one day? That feeling of accomplishment and good health upon going to bed at night might be enough to motivate us to get up and do it all over again the next day. Just as in any major goal we set, the result does not happen overnight, yet small accomplishments can happen daily. If your goal is to have a 6-pack that will make everyone in the gym do a double take, it will best be achieved by breaking it down into small, manageable steps. Here are some tips on small goals you can set on a daily basis to help motivate you in the gym and outside of the gym.
1. Just for today….you can do anything just for one day. When that alarm clock goes off in the morning, tell yourself “Just for today, I will stick to my diet and hit the gym. Ice cream and the couch will still be there tomorrow.”
2. One rep at a time….in the middle of a set, when that burn is setting in and your mind starts to give you a million reasons why you should quit, just focus on one rep at a time – each rep counts and each rep is bringing you one step closer to your goal.
3. Hold the fat….waiting in line at Starbucks, you can practically taste that cheese pastry in your mouth, but are all those calories worth the 3, maybe 4, minutes of enjoyment that it will take you to down that fat trap? Instead, play out the tape and recall how you will feel after eating that pastry – is the guilt worth it? Just think how great you will feel bypassing the pastry and sticking with your coffee or nonfat latte.
4. Small pleasures….it’s important to have rewards sprinkled throughout your day – things that you enjoy and can look forward to that will replace the cookie or happy hour. My favorite reward is coffee, but yours may be a small piece of dark chocolate, a new magazine or a hot bath.
5. Attitude is everything….maintaining a positive attitude and a healthy thought process throughout the day will prevent the self-defeatist in you from sabotaging your efforts. It is easy for us to tell ourselves that we are not strong enough or do not have the willpower that it takes to reach that level of fitness we so desire. This is a lie that we tell ourselves so that we can throw in the towel. A positive mental attitude is 80% of the battle in reaching your fitness goals. Positive thoughts provide positive results.
Ann Gruber is an NASM-Certified Personal Trainer and nutrition consultant at Triune.
Call Triune today at 215.627.6279 to schedule a free training session with Ann.
By Ann Gruber, Triune's Personal Trainer & Nutritional Consultant
Flipping through this month’s issue of Oxygen or Muscle & Fitness, women and men with perfectly sculpted arms and rippling abs adorn the pages, advertising this month’s latest scientific phenomenon that will magically transform us into a body of steel. I have a love/hate relationship with these men and women. I love them because they inspire me. I hate them because they deflate me. The ads fail to detail the hours of hard work they have spent in the gym, the number of ice cream cones they have painfully bypassed, the high-calorie dinners out they have turned down and, not to mention, the mental commitments they have made to get the body they can proudly flaunt in the magazines. Most of us have the desire to get that 6-pack, but become easily overwhelmed when faced with the challenges that come along with it, which inevitably derail us from our goals.
What if we made the commitment to hit the gym and eat healthy just for one day? That feeling of accomplishment and good health upon going to bed at night might be enough to motivate us to get up and do it all over again the next day. Just as in any major goal we set, the result does not happen overnight, yet small accomplishments can happen daily. If your goal is to have a 6-pack that will make everyone in the gym do a double take, it will best be achieved by breaking it down into small, manageable steps. Here are some tips on small goals you can set on a daily basis to help motivate you in the gym and outside of the gym.
1. Just for today….you can do anything just for one day. When that alarm clock goes off in the morning, tell yourself “Just for today, I will stick to my diet and hit the gym. Ice cream and the couch will still be there tomorrow.”
2. One rep at a time….in the middle of a set, when that burn is setting in and your mind starts to give you a million reasons why you should quit, just focus on one rep at a time – each rep counts and each rep is bringing you one step closer to your goal.
3. Hold the fat….waiting in line at Starbucks, you can practically taste that cheese pastry in your mouth, but are all those calories worth the 3, maybe 4, minutes of enjoyment that it will take you to down that fat trap? Instead, play out the tape and recall how you will feel after eating that pastry – is the guilt worth it? Just think how great you will feel bypassing the pastry and sticking with your coffee or nonfat latte.
4. Small pleasures….it’s important to have rewards sprinkled throughout your day – things that you enjoy and can look forward to that will replace the cookie or happy hour. My favorite reward is coffee, but yours may be a small piece of dark chocolate, a new magazine or a hot bath.
5. Attitude is everything….maintaining a positive attitude and a healthy thought process throughout the day will prevent the self-defeatist in you from sabotaging your efforts. It is easy for us to tell ourselves that we are not strong enough or do not have the willpower that it takes to reach that level of fitness we so desire. This is a lie that we tell ourselves so that we can throw in the towel. A positive mental attitude is 80% of the battle in reaching your fitness goals. Positive thoughts provide positive results.
Ann Gruber is an NASM-Certified Personal Trainer and nutrition consultant at Triune.
Call Triune today at 215.627.6279 to schedule a free training session with Ann.
TRIUNE WELCOMES Ann Gruber our NEW Personal Trainer and Nutrition Consultant!
Ann Gruber
As an NASM nationally-certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant, I am committed to achieving the health and fitness goals set by each and every one of my clients. I know the frustration of hitting the gym day in and day out, and not seeing the results you are seeking, or following the diet-of-the-month, such as depleting your body almost completely of carbs, and then expecting those last 10 lbs to disappear. Everybody has a unique body type that responds differently to training and nutrition. In working with you one-on-one, I tailor a training program and nutrition plan that will work with your body, your lifestyle and your interests. As a former practicing attorney, I entered the world of health and fitness because I not only have a passion for helping others to derive the benefits of a fit lifestyle, but I live this lifestyle in my everyday affairs. I am a national NPC figure competitor and have received tons of training and nutrition information from the best in the business. I want to share with my clients what I have learned because the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are invaluable. Not only does a healthy lifestyle bring physical rewards, but it leads to an increase in an individual’s emotional and mental health, which ultimately improves relationships, reduces stress and increases productivity and overall happiness. No time better than the present to get started on taking care of your body and improving your life.
Ann GruberAs an NASM nationally-certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant, I am committed to achieving the health and fitness goals set by each and every one of my clients. I know the frustration of hitting the gym day in and day out, and not seeing the results you are seeking, or following the diet-of-the-month, such as depleting your body almost completely of carbs, and then expecting those last 10 lbs to disappear. Everybody has a unique body type that responds differently to training and nutrition. In working with you one-on-one, I tailor a training program and nutrition plan that will work with your body, your lifestyle and your interests. As a former practicing attorney, I entered the world of health and fitness because I not only have a passion for helping others to derive the benefits of a fit lifestyle, but I live this lifestyle in my everyday affairs. I am a national NPC figure competitor and have received tons of training and nutrition information from the best in the business. I want to share with my clients what I have learned because the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are invaluable. Not only does a healthy lifestyle bring physical rewards, but it leads to an increase in an individual’s emotional and mental health, which ultimately improves relationships, reduces stress and increases productivity and overall happiness. No time better than the present to get started on taking care of your body and improving your life.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Springtime and the Wood Element According to Traditional Chinese Medicine
By Gurneet M. Singh, TRIUNE's Acupuncturist
In Chinese Medicine, the spring season is associated with the Wood element. As we look around us, we are surrounded by the essence of the Wood element, the birth and growth of beautiful plants and flowers....a true signal that there has been an end to the quietness and stillness of the winter. As I work in my garden, it amazes me to witness these miracles of growth and of life. I can see life sprouting from the depths of the earth, growth through dead leaves that had fallen and collected on the ground, moving diligently under my fence and even sprouting up in between the bricks of my patio! Even after this rough winter, these plants are ready to move forward, coming forth bursting through the ground with astounding force, and always finding a way to grow. This teaches us a valuable lesson on the spirit of the Wood element...it is full of movement, growth, strength, purpose and vitality. We are reminded that we too can move forth with purpose, ease, and progress.
The spirit of the Wood element not only exists in nature...it is in each and every one of us. In a balanced state, it promotes exuberance, clear meaning, aliveness, moving forward and upward with purpose and hope.
In an unbalanced state of the Wood element, we may feel challenged, confronted, and limited. Feelings of stress, irritability, anger, and frustration that things may not go according to plan arise. It is important to take the time to nourish the Wood element within us. The best ways to support the Wood element all encourage the movement of energy within us, including: body movement like dancing, stretching, walking, hiking, running, yoga, massage, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, acupuncture, tai chi, meditating, and spending time in nature. We can always look to the plants, flowers and trees to remind us of the potential of growth and change welling up inside us, giving us the hope and courage to envision the future. Things in our lives may not always manifest as we have envisioned but the possibilities of growth and change are boundless.
By Gurneet M. Singh, TRIUNE's Acupuncturist
In Chinese Medicine, the spring season is associated with the Wood element. As we look around us, we are surrounded by the essence of the Wood element, the birth and growth of beautiful plants and flowers....a true signal that there has been an end to the quietness and stillness of the winter. As I work in my garden, it amazes me to witness these miracles of growth and of life. I can see life sprouting from the depths of the earth, growth through dead leaves that had fallen and collected on the ground, moving diligently under my fence and even sprouting up in between the bricks of my patio! Even after this rough winter, these plants are ready to move forward, coming forth bursting through the ground with astounding force, and always finding a way to grow. This teaches us a valuable lesson on the spirit of the Wood element...it is full of movement, growth, strength, purpose and vitality. We are reminded that we too can move forth with purpose, ease, and progress.
The spirit of the Wood element not only exists in nature...it is in each and every one of us. In a balanced state, it promotes exuberance, clear meaning, aliveness, moving forward and upward with purpose and hope.
In an unbalanced state of the Wood element, we may feel challenged, confronted, and limited. Feelings of stress, irritability, anger, and frustration that things may not go according to plan arise. It is important to take the time to nourish the Wood element within us. The best ways to support the Wood element all encourage the movement of energy within us, including: body movement like dancing, stretching, walking, hiking, running, yoga, massage, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, acupuncture, tai chi, meditating, and spending time in nature. We can always look to the plants, flowers and trees to remind us of the potential of growth and change welling up inside us, giving us the hope and courage to envision the future. Things in our lives may not always manifest as we have envisioned but the possibilities of growth and change are boundless.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a major health concern, for good reason... our bones protect our vital organs and provide the structural support that lets our muscles move us around.
Some people think of bone as an inert substance that's little more than glorified concrete. Nothing could be further from the truth. Bone is living, vibrant tissue which is absolutely central to our overall health. Among other things, bones create blood cells and also serve as a repository for calcium.
You may think of calcium as something you need simply to keep your bones strong. Calcium is actually used by the body for many functions... muscular contraction, nerve conduction, and creating the electrical signals used by the heart.
In fact, your body will pull calcium out of the bones if your blood levels get too low. It's more important to keep your heart beating than to have strong bones. So if we want to avoid osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), the best way is to avoid losing the calcium in the first place.
Some people focus on supplementation, and yes, if your dietary intake of calcium is low, you’ll lose some there. But there are far more dramatic sources of calcium loss.
The biggest one is sugar. Consuming refined sugar dramatically increases the amount of calcium lost in the urine. Which, in turn, drops the levels of calcium in the blood, and your body will respond by drawing calcium out of the bones to keep this vital element at a normal level in your bloodstream.
Step one in avoiding osteoporosis is to cut out the sugar, including sugary drinks. This is more important than supplementation, in my opinion. Your body can only take in so much calcium at a time (it’s just a tough nutrient to absorb), and you can lose it much faster than you can put it back. So definitely cut out the sugar.
Weight bearing exercise is just as important. Bone is living tissue that reacts to stress. Just like your muscles respond to stress by becoming stronger, your bones will also respond to stress by becoming stronger. The reverse is true: just like your muscles will atrophy (shrink up and get weak) with disuse, your bones will weaken if they aren’t put under stress.
So, make sure you’re exercising. The more weight-bearing an exercise is, the better… that doesn’t mean you have to be a power-lifter, but even the elderly should be doing some sort of resistance training.
Lastly, you can supplement. The main thing to know about calcium supplementation is that you need to be taking vitamin D and magnesium along with the calcium. These are co-factors your body requires to absorb and use the calcium, so they must be included.
Also, it doesn’t help to take more than 500 mg of calcium at once. Your body reaches saturation around 400-500 mg, and the remainder will simply pass out of your body unused. If you need to take more than 500 mg a day, be sure to split the doses up throughout the day.
Some people think of bone as an inert substance that's little more than glorified concrete. Nothing could be further from the truth. Bone is living, vibrant tissue which is absolutely central to our overall health. Among other things, bones create blood cells and also serve as a repository for calcium.
You may think of calcium as something you need simply to keep your bones strong. Calcium is actually used by the body for many functions... muscular contraction, nerve conduction, and creating the electrical signals used by the heart.
In fact, your body will pull calcium out of the bones if your blood levels get too low. It's more important to keep your heart beating than to have strong bones. So if we want to avoid osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), the best way is to avoid losing the calcium in the first place.
Some people focus on supplementation, and yes, if your dietary intake of calcium is low, you’ll lose some there. But there are far more dramatic sources of calcium loss.
The biggest one is sugar. Consuming refined sugar dramatically increases the amount of calcium lost in the urine. Which, in turn, drops the levels of calcium in the blood, and your body will respond by drawing calcium out of the bones to keep this vital element at a normal level in your bloodstream.
Step one in avoiding osteoporosis is to cut out the sugar, including sugary drinks. This is more important than supplementation, in my opinion. Your body can only take in so much calcium at a time (it’s just a tough nutrient to absorb), and you can lose it much faster than you can put it back. So definitely cut out the sugar.
Weight bearing exercise is just as important. Bone is living tissue that reacts to stress. Just like your muscles respond to stress by becoming stronger, your bones will also respond to stress by becoming stronger. The reverse is true: just like your muscles will atrophy (shrink up and get weak) with disuse, your bones will weaken if they aren’t put under stress.
So, make sure you’re exercising. The more weight-bearing an exercise is, the better… that doesn’t mean you have to be a power-lifter, but even the elderly should be doing some sort of resistance training.
Lastly, you can supplement. The main thing to know about calcium supplementation is that you need to be taking vitamin D and magnesium along with the calcium. These are co-factors your body requires to absorb and use the calcium, so they must be included.
Also, it doesn’t help to take more than 500 mg of calcium at once. Your body reaches saturation around 400-500 mg, and the remainder will simply pass out of your body unused. If you need to take more than 500 mg a day, be sure to split the doses up throughout the day.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
TRIUNE
OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY MAY 22nd 11am-2pm
Refreshments & Food!
OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY MAY 22nd 11am-2pm
Refreshments & Food!
Please bring your family & friends!*
*Bring someone new to TRIUNE and enter to win a FREE 90-minute MASSAGE!
Meet our Chiropractor Dr. Andrew Piazza!
FREE Chiropractic session with Dr. Andrew
Gift certificates for FREE Holistic Wellness Consultations with Dr. Sherri Edelman
FREE Hydrotherapy (dry)
Stress Surveys
FREE Massages
Exercise & Fitness Advice
FREE Acupuncture Talk with Gurneet Singh
FREE Seminar: "How To Pick A Good Nutritional Supplement
Meet our Chiropractor Dr. Andrew Piazza!
FREE Chiropractic session with Dr. Andrew
Gift certificates for FREE Holistic Wellness Consultations with Dr. Sherri Edelman
FREE Hydrotherapy (dry)
Stress Surveys
FREE Massages
Exercise & Fitness Advice
FREE Acupuncture Talk with Gurneet Singh
FREE Seminar: "How To Pick A Good Nutritional Supplement
JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF WELLNESS!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Promising New Experimental Bone Treatment
There's some interesting new research coming in on bone healing. Researchers have found a way to adapt the basic mechanisms used by creatures that can regenerate- like flatworms- and apply it to mammals.
In this particular case, they used mice and found they were able to stimulate bone healing by a factor of three times or more. While it's still obviously very experimental, the obvious hope is to one day adapt this technology to humans for use not only with faster fracture healing, but perhaps osteoporosis as well.
In fact, the same basic techinique could possibly be adapted to other tissue types, such as skin, opening the door for a whole new host of regenerative technology.
Now let's just hope they can make it affordable!
In this particular case, they used mice and found they were able to stimulate bone healing by a factor of three times or more. While it's still obviously very experimental, the obvious hope is to one day adapt this technology to humans for use not only with faster fracture healing, but perhaps osteoporosis as well.
In fact, the same basic techinique could possibly be adapted to other tissue types, such as skin, opening the door for a whole new host of regenerative technology.
Now let's just hope they can make it affordable!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Wellness Wheel
The Wellness Wheel
By Dr. Sherri Edelman
As we continue to move through the seasons once again from Spring to Summer, take a moment to reflect on the hopes and dreams you had in the beginning of the new year. Regardless of where you are in relationship to the achievement of those goals, or the actions that you have taken (or not) toward them...take a moment to reflect on the fullness of your life right now! There is always something to practice gratitude for, and when we do that, we come into the present moment, where all is in alignment toward our highest good -- even when we are in a state of confusion!
Visualize your life as a "Wellness Wheel"-there are seven spokes on your "wheel", and each spoke represents a different area of your life: relationships, physical, spiritual, work/purpose, family, financial, and mental/creative. Try this activity to discover whether you are in "harmony" holistically in your life, moving fluently and effortlessly in forward motion with synergy and flow.
Draw a wheel with 7 spokes and a small circle in the middle and label each spoke with the 7 areas above. Rate each area by putting a dot on that spoke: dots toward the edge of the wheel would represent dissatisfaction with how you perceive your life is going in that particular area; a dot closer to the center of the wheel means things are working great. Next, connect the dots and ask yourself the following question: "What would my ride be like on this wheel the way it is now?" If you're experiencing a bumpy ride, develop a plan of action you can take to make your ride (life) smoother, seeking out guidance and getting the support you need to be fully alive!
By Dr. Sherri Edelman
As we continue to move through the seasons once again from Spring to Summer, take a moment to reflect on the hopes and dreams you had in the beginning of the new year. Regardless of where you are in relationship to the achievement of those goals, or the actions that you have taken (or not) toward them...take a moment to reflect on the fullness of your life right now! There is always something to practice gratitude for, and when we do that, we come into the present moment, where all is in alignment toward our highest good -- even when we are in a state of confusion!
Visualize your life as a "Wellness Wheel"-there are seven spokes on your "wheel", and each spoke represents a different area of your life: relationships, physical, spiritual, work/purpose, family, financial, and mental/creative. Try this activity to discover whether you are in "harmony" holistically in your life, moving fluently and effortlessly in forward motion with synergy and flow.
Draw a wheel with 7 spokes and a small circle in the middle and label each spoke with the 7 areas above. Rate each area by putting a dot on that spoke: dots toward the edge of the wheel would represent dissatisfaction with how you perceive your life is going in that particular area; a dot closer to the center of the wheel means things are working great. Next, connect the dots and ask yourself the following question: "What would my ride be like on this wheel the way it is now?" If you're experiencing a bumpy ride, develop a plan of action you can take to make your ride (life) smoother, seeking out guidance and getting the support you need to be fully alive!
Spring Cleaning Your Body
Spring Cleaning Your Body
By Dr. Andrew Piazza
Springtime is here at last, and that means everyone is emerging from their hibernation and starting to move again. Most of us have a tendency to stagnate a bit physically during the winter months, from a combination of the cold weather and short hours of sunlight. And, similarly, most of us have a habit of rushing headfirst into spring after being cooped up in the house for too long.
That rushing back into physical activity often leads to a host of new aches and pains... and even more old aches and pains that resurface when we start moving and exercising a little too much and a little too fast. Who could blame us? Springtime is full of this rush to renew life and energy, and so it is not surprising that we get a little overly enthusiastic in our exercise.
All the same, it's a good idea to ease back into physical activity at least as much as your particular strain of Cabin Fever will allow. Tendons and ligaments that haven't been stressed in a while tend to weaken and get stiff, so sudden and vigorous exertion will tend to put you down for the count with a nasty sprain. Muscles that haven't had to support your spine and the rest of your skeletal structure during physical exercise will weaken and stiffen as well.
Since those muscles and tendons and ligaments all protect your joints, overwhelming those defenses by overdosing it in the gym or on the track could also lead to a nasty acute injury to the delicate joint of the spine. As anyone who's been bedridden with severe back or neck pain knows, this is an experience you don't want to have.
So spend a week in the "Spring Cleaning" of your body. Move, but don't move too much. Start walking before you start running. Lift weights before you start lifting heavy ones. Put an eye to your diet and clear out the heavy winter food in favor of more fresh fruits and vegetables. If you haven't been in to Triune in a while, check in with us and get your spine checked and cleared. Small, sub-acute (injuries not yet bad enough to trip off pain sensors) problems in the spine can interfere with your coordination and set you up for one of those weekend warrior type injuries.
In other words, clear out the cobwebs. Just don't do it so fast that you tear the house down!
By Dr. Andrew Piazza
Springtime is here at last, and that means everyone is emerging from their hibernation and starting to move again. Most of us have a tendency to stagnate a bit physically during the winter months, from a combination of the cold weather and short hours of sunlight. And, similarly, most of us have a habit of rushing headfirst into spring after being cooped up in the house for too long.
That rushing back into physical activity often leads to a host of new aches and pains... and even more old aches and pains that resurface when we start moving and exercising a little too much and a little too fast. Who could blame us? Springtime is full of this rush to renew life and energy, and so it is not surprising that we get a little overly enthusiastic in our exercise.
All the same, it's a good idea to ease back into physical activity at least as much as your particular strain of Cabin Fever will allow. Tendons and ligaments that haven't been stressed in a while tend to weaken and get stiff, so sudden and vigorous exertion will tend to put you down for the count with a nasty sprain. Muscles that haven't had to support your spine and the rest of your skeletal structure during physical exercise will weaken and stiffen as well.
Since those muscles and tendons and ligaments all protect your joints, overwhelming those defenses by overdosing it in the gym or on the track could also lead to a nasty acute injury to the delicate joint of the spine. As anyone who's been bedridden with severe back or neck pain knows, this is an experience you don't want to have.
So spend a week in the "Spring Cleaning" of your body. Move, but don't move too much. Start walking before you start running. Lift weights before you start lifting heavy ones. Put an eye to your diet and clear out the heavy winter food in favor of more fresh fruits and vegetables. If you haven't been in to Triune in a while, check in with us and get your spine checked and cleared. Small, sub-acute (injuries not yet bad enough to trip off pain sensors) problems in the spine can interfere with your coordination and set you up for one of those weekend warrior type injuries.
In other words, clear out the cobwebs. Just don't do it so fast that you tear the house down!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
What is Spring Fever?
by Dr Sherri Edelman
The first day of spring is fast approaching! You may already have had the ethereal wave come over you this past weekend on Saturday when the temperature rose well above 50 degrees, the big blue sky and warm sun shining upon us all! Spring fever refers to several sets of physiological and psychological shifts. It is not just in your head; it is caused by a response in the body’s chemistry and seasonal biology that accompany longer and warmer days occurring on the arrival of spring. There are a multitude of tell tale signs, sometimes paradoxical in nature, such as: an increase in vitality, spurts of energy, loss of appetite, increase in sexual appetite, restlessness, drowsiness, intense nervous excitement, insomnia, euphoria, a yearning to break away or strong desire, a craving to go shopping, and wanting to run away with mad love! Spring fever has made an appearance many times as a major motion picture title, in love poems, stories and medical literature.
I invite you to take this opportunity to welcome the spring season with an open mind and an open heart! How have you spent the cold days of winter?
Did you incubate new ideas, work on projects, or just store up reserves of energy to burst forth as you bloom into this spring season! Now is the time to utilize the creative energy you have stored up and expand yourself and your life. It is almost time to shake off the cold weather, get back into your best shape, move your body out into nature, dust the cobwebs in your mind, and set your spring course for optimum health and wellness!
Dr. Sherri Edelman-Life and Career Coach, Psychotherapist and CoFounder of Triune Wellness
The first day of spring is fast approaching! You may already have had the ethereal wave come over you this past weekend on Saturday when the temperature rose well above 50 degrees, the big blue sky and warm sun shining upon us all! Spring fever refers to several sets of physiological and psychological shifts. It is not just in your head; it is caused by a response in the body’s chemistry and seasonal biology that accompany longer and warmer days occurring on the arrival of spring. There are a multitude of tell tale signs, sometimes paradoxical in nature, such as: an increase in vitality, spurts of energy, loss of appetite, increase in sexual appetite, restlessness, drowsiness, intense nervous excitement, insomnia, euphoria, a yearning to break away or strong desire, a craving to go shopping, and wanting to run away with mad love! Spring fever has made an appearance many times as a major motion picture title, in love poems, stories and medical literature.
I invite you to take this opportunity to welcome the spring season with an open mind and an open heart! How have you spent the cold days of winter?
Did you incubate new ideas, work on projects, or just store up reserves of energy to burst forth as you bloom into this spring season! Now is the time to utilize the creative energy you have stored up and expand yourself and your life. It is almost time to shake off the cold weather, get back into your best shape, move your body out into nature, dust the cobwebs in your mind, and set your spring course for optimum health and wellness!
Dr. Sherri Edelman-Life and Career Coach, Psychotherapist and CoFounder of Triune Wellness
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The Triune of Life = Innate Intelligence + Innate Energy + Innate Matter
by Terry A. Rondberg, D.C.
According to the precepts of chiropractic philosophy, every living thing has 100% of the Innate Intelligence it needs AND 100% of the Innate Force it needs. It also has a given physical form, to make up the third element of the Triune.
In order to have perfect health, there must be 100% of intelligence, 100% of force, and 100% of matter. That is, all three elements must be present in optimum quantity and quality. We have already seen that this is always true of the first two elements. However, the structure of our "matter" – our physical bodies – is sometimes less than 100%. There may be flaws in our bodies or its abilities (temporary or permanent) which hinder the expression of the intelligence.
For human beings, that means that "perfect health" is a relative term. Each of us can be only as healthy as the limits in our physical matter permit. People born with congenital heart defects, for instance, can only be as healthy as their structures will permit.
People who have undergone amputation of a arm cannot regrow that limb, even when there is 100% intelligence and 100% energy. There are limitations inherent in the human body which cannot be transcended by Innate Intelligence.
However, within the limits imposed by our particular physical structure, our Innate Intelligence and Innate Energy will strive to maintain the highest level of health possible. Sometimes, that effort is thwarted by interferences to the normal transmission of the energy to the matter.
To see what kind of interference your body may be experiencing, we need to understand how the Innate Intelligence directs the body parts through Innate Energy.
As we noted, the brain generates, or converts, the electrical impulses which will spur the individual cells and tells them what they need to do to adapt to the current needs of the body. Those impulses are propelled along a complex system of nerves which connect the brain to the organs, tissues, glands, and cells of the body.
Think of the nerve system as a thick rope, made of numerous individual strands bundled together. When this nerve "rope" exits the brain, it travels down the spine, protected by a flexible bony structure. As it progresses downward, sections of the rope separate and pass through small openings between the spinal bones (vertebrae). Later, they separate further until each individual strand connects with its designated target.
Occasionally, however, the vertebrae become subluxated (out of their proper alignment), and close off part of the opening. This can "impinge" on the nerve and decrease or distort the normal flow of Innate Energy through the body. The result is similar to putting a kink in a water hose; the water still flows through the hose, but not at full strength.
When subluxations are present, they interfere with the 100% expression of intelligence through 100% energy and the body is said to be in "dis-ease". This should not be confused with the term disease, which refers to specific conditions which medical doctors diagnose, name, and treat.
The chiropractic term "dis-ease" refers to a situation where there is less than 100% expression of Innate Intelligence. Since every body is different and every bodily change can have many different ramifications, chiropractors do not become involved in the futile exercise of labeling a condition or trying to administer drugs or therapy to treat its symptoms.
Chiropractic goes to the root of the problem and works to restore the body's ability to reach 100% expression of its Innate Intelligence. It does this by finding and removing any subluxations which might interfere with the flow of Innate Energy. Once that flow is restored, the body will resume its natural striving for optimum health.
The working of the Triune of Life – Innate Intelligence, Innate Energy, and Innate Matter – is the supreme accomplishment of Universal Intelligence. No one can be so arrogant to think that its design can be improved upon.
Chiropractors don't attempt such a task. Instead, they focus their efforts on permitting that design to function as it was meant to – without interference.
According to the precepts of chiropractic philosophy, every living thing has 100% of the Innate Intelligence it needs AND 100% of the Innate Force it needs. It also has a given physical form, to make up the third element of the Triune.
In order to have perfect health, there must be 100% of intelligence, 100% of force, and 100% of matter. That is, all three elements must be present in optimum quantity and quality. We have already seen that this is always true of the first two elements. However, the structure of our "matter" – our physical bodies – is sometimes less than 100%. There may be flaws in our bodies or its abilities (temporary or permanent) which hinder the expression of the intelligence.
For human beings, that means that "perfect health" is a relative term. Each of us can be only as healthy as the limits in our physical matter permit. People born with congenital heart defects, for instance, can only be as healthy as their structures will permit.
People who have undergone amputation of a arm cannot regrow that limb, even when there is 100% intelligence and 100% energy. There are limitations inherent in the human body which cannot be transcended by Innate Intelligence.
However, within the limits imposed by our particular physical structure, our Innate Intelligence and Innate Energy will strive to maintain the highest level of health possible. Sometimes, that effort is thwarted by interferences to the normal transmission of the energy to the matter.
To see what kind of interference your body may be experiencing, we need to understand how the Innate Intelligence directs the body parts through Innate Energy.
As we noted, the brain generates, or converts, the electrical impulses which will spur the individual cells and tells them what they need to do to adapt to the current needs of the body. Those impulses are propelled along a complex system of nerves which connect the brain to the organs, tissues, glands, and cells of the body.
Think of the nerve system as a thick rope, made of numerous individual strands bundled together. When this nerve "rope" exits the brain, it travels down the spine, protected by a flexible bony structure. As it progresses downward, sections of the rope separate and pass through small openings between the spinal bones (vertebrae). Later, they separate further until each individual strand connects with its designated target.
Occasionally, however, the vertebrae become subluxated (out of their proper alignment), and close off part of the opening. This can "impinge" on the nerve and decrease or distort the normal flow of Innate Energy through the body. The result is similar to putting a kink in a water hose; the water still flows through the hose, but not at full strength.
When subluxations are present, they interfere with the 100% expression of intelligence through 100% energy and the body is said to be in "dis-ease". This should not be confused with the term disease, which refers to specific conditions which medical doctors diagnose, name, and treat.
The chiropractic term "dis-ease" refers to a situation where there is less than 100% expression of Innate Intelligence. Since every body is different and every bodily change can have many different ramifications, chiropractors do not become involved in the futile exercise of labeling a condition or trying to administer drugs or therapy to treat its symptoms.
Chiropractic goes to the root of the problem and works to restore the body's ability to reach 100% expression of its Innate Intelligence. It does this by finding and removing any subluxations which might interfere with the flow of Innate Energy. Once that flow is restored, the body will resume its natural striving for optimum health.
The working of the Triune of Life – Innate Intelligence, Innate Energy, and Innate Matter – is the supreme accomplishment of Universal Intelligence. No one can be so arrogant to think that its design can be improved upon.
Chiropractors don't attempt such a task. Instead, they focus their efforts on permitting that design to function as it was meant to – without interference.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
~HEAL YOUR LIFE~ EMPOWERMENT GROUP
No matter where you are starting from-or what your problems and concerns are-YOU CAN TOTALLY HEAL YOUR LIFE AND MANIFEST ALL THAT YOU DESERVE AND DESIRE! Join with others just like yourself and share insight, support, wisdom, truth, courage, compassion and hope. Our group will be educational, interactive, experiential, self reflective and most definitely...INSPIRATIONAL!
The group will be based on the book: You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay and the You Can Heal Your Life Companion Book (a Companion Journal for written affirmations and exercises-available through Amazon.com; main book starting at $12.22; companion book starting at $8.00).
> This group will meet 1 time each week for 1 ½ hours for EIGHT CONSECUTIVE WEEKS
> Maximum of 8 group members
> Purchasing these two books is highly recommended (but not required)
> Bring a small hand mirror and a journal
Some of the topics we will focus on in group include:
• Relationships
• Loving the Self
• Self Concept
• Money & Prosperity
• Weight & Body Image
• Thoughts and Beliefs
• Family
• Change
• Needs
• Emotions
• Physical Symptoms
~$395 for ALL 8 Group Sessions!
~Receive a 10% discount for full payment in advance for ALL 8 groups- only $360!
~If group does not fill in advance to 8 members - $55. drop in fee
(24 hr. advance prepayment and reservation required as space permits)
~Wednesday evenings: 7:00pm-8:30pm (group may run slightly overtime; plan ahead)
GROUP DATES: February 17-April 14, 2010
Please Call TRIUNE - 215 627 6279 to Register!
ABOUT YOUR GROUP FACILITATOR
Dr. Sherri Edelman holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM); dual Master's degrees from Hahnemann University in Group Psychotherapy and Organizational Groups; and a B.S. in Education from Temple University. She has years of experience in the fields of psychotherapy and counseling, training and consultation, seminar and workshop presentation, education, and life and career coaching. Dr. Edelman is a workshop and seminar presenter in areas such as communication and assertiveness training, stress management, relationships, holistic wellness and self esteem. As adjunct faculty at PCOM, she has taught Group Psychotherapy in the Masters of Clinical and Health Psychology program. Dr. Edelman is CoFounder of Triune Chiropractic, Counseling and Wellness in Old City, a Holistic Health and Wellness Center providing education and drug-free treatment and services for mind body health, where she also has an Independent Psychotherapy and Coaching practice. Review her resume at www.tri-une.com.
The group will be based on the book: You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay and the You Can Heal Your Life Companion Book (a Companion Journal for written affirmations and exercises-available through Amazon.com; main book starting at $12.22; companion book starting at $8.00).
> This group will meet 1 time each week for 1 ½ hours for EIGHT CONSECUTIVE WEEKS
> Maximum of 8 group members
> Purchasing these two books is highly recommended (but not required)
> Bring a small hand mirror and a journal
Some of the topics we will focus on in group include:
• Relationships
• Loving the Self
• Self Concept
• Money & Prosperity
• Weight & Body Image
• Thoughts and Beliefs
• Family
• Change
• Needs
• Emotions
• Physical Symptoms
~$395 for ALL 8 Group Sessions!
~Receive a 10% discount for full payment in advance for ALL 8 groups- only $360!
~If group does not fill in advance to 8 members - $55. drop in fee
(24 hr. advance prepayment and reservation required as space permits)
~Wednesday evenings: 7:00pm-8:30pm (group may run slightly overtime; plan ahead)
GROUP DATES: February 17-April 14, 2010
Please Call TRIUNE - 215 627 6279 to Register!
ABOUT YOUR GROUP FACILITATOR
Dr. Sherri Edelman holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM); dual Master's degrees from Hahnemann University in Group Psychotherapy and Organizational Groups; and a B.S. in Education from Temple University. She has years of experience in the fields of psychotherapy and counseling, training and consultation, seminar and workshop presentation, education, and life and career coaching. Dr. Edelman is a workshop and seminar presenter in areas such as communication and assertiveness training, stress management, relationships, holistic wellness and self esteem. As adjunct faculty at PCOM, she has taught Group Psychotherapy in the Masters of Clinical and Health Psychology program. Dr. Edelman is CoFounder of Triune Chiropractic, Counseling and Wellness in Old City, a Holistic Health and Wellness Center providing education and drug-free treatment and services for mind body health, where she also has an Independent Psychotherapy and Coaching practice. Review her resume at www.tri-une.com.
Friday, January 8, 2010
2010 – Create Your Best Year Ever!
by Dr. Sherri Edelman
TRIUNE Co-Founder
New Year’s resolutions are always made with your very best intentions. You decide that you want to change, and you set out to take real action steps toward what you do want in your life. You see the New Year ahead as a perfect opportunity for a fresh start. The items on the lists may be different, but the themes are often similar. Have you been thinking about your wish list for the year 2010?
Your mind probably tells you what you want to change and what you would like to be different this year based on having experienced CONTRAST. It works like this: when you suffer in some way, you have a chance to experience and deeply know what you don’t want based on your past or current negative experiences, relationships or situations. When faced with contrast, some individuals mistakenly believe that their discomfort, suffering or problems must translate into present and future hopelessness or despair. Their mind judges, criticizes and resists the problems, casting blame for past decisions and failures onto themselves or others, and predicting that still more of the same will always meet up with them in the future. Some will choose to stick with what they have no matter how awful, so they “wall off” the contrast and pretend it never happened (flight), but inevitably the patterns continue. Alternatively, some thrash around and get angry at the contrast, resisting, resenting and blaming it and everyone involved while fighting against it (fight). It is here where the rubber meets the road! There IS a healthier more positive alternative--you can create the life experience you want and deserve to live!
Even though one year has ended and a new year has begun, you are actually always on an infinite continuum of inner growth; like a river, you are flowing along with the current of your own life. You are meant to focus on what you want and expand. You may also consider your life like a fertile acre of ground; you are always capable of cultivating new and better seeds into bright and beautiful buds, blooms and eventually an enchanted garden! In those very experiences unique to your life experience lie the lessons and wisdom that you individually need to discover your own true nature: your innate gifts, desires, and your individual path to peace, joy and love. Unfortunately, some of you may find yourself living as a fish that swims endlessly upstream against the current of unwanted life experiences. This resistance usually develops into habits resulting from internal fear (F.E.A.R.-False Evidence Appearing as Real) that began a long time ago when you were very small.
It is just the right time to begin to perceive your life in a new and empowered way! It is much more helpful to ask yourself—with curiosity and no judgment--what is this situation meant to teach me about myself, and how might I unknowingly create these particular situations that I do not want by creating the contrast to help me awaken to release something that does not serve my highest good? When you take an active part in your life experience as the witness and observe and question with the intention to heal your own life, you can make a decision to focus on what you do want and move proactively in that direction. You can now choose to see yourself as perfect, whole and complete, because you are exactly where you are to learn what you need to grow.
How do you do this? Where is the compass? Once you can see the contrast of what you don’t want, and set your sights on what you do want, how are you supposed to know WHAT to DO to get there, and what about the HOW, WHEN and WHERE? It can feel overwhelming at times. Actually, the guide is right there inside of you; you were born with it installed as software in your hard drive! It is called your Emotional Guidance System (EGS :-), and it can lead the way—but it only works if you practice the courage and willingness to change, which happens through awareness. We all want our lives to change for the better, but in order for your emotional and mental experience, your physical body, your relationships, your diet, your work and finances to improve…you must change inside. You must change your way of thinking, speaking to yourself, and perceiving your life experiences. Your emotions will tell you what you need; your mind can then support you to take right action and make the choices that are best for you. Only then will the outer changes occur!
This is done in layers and involves releasing what has long been held out of awareness mentally and emotionally, often experienced in the present as old habits of behaving and limiting beliefs. There are many skills, strategies and tools that you can develop to aid you in establishing these new healthy and more positive habits! Start this year to take more self responsibility—enCOURAGE what you want to experience in your life by making a commitment to: do some “mental housecleaning”; nurture your relationship to yourself; learn to trust the unknown, and live with some uncertainty. When you commit to begin the process of cleaning house (in your mind), you can start in any “room”! These rooms include the spiritual approach, the mental approach, and the physical approach. I see this as the ‘TRIUNE’…your Body-Mind-Spirit. Pick one area and get started—and don’t hesitate to get some help and support when you need it.
Sometimes change is difficult: you mentally think about what you want for yourself and your life in the new year, and make a list, including goals such as regular exercise, yoga classes, reducing your stress level by getting regular massages and chiropractic treatments, spending time in nature, committing to a regular meditation practice, being more loving kind to yourself and others, nurturing your body with healthy nutrition and supplements, cleaning your “mind clutter” by learning to watch your thinking, being more organized, getting therapy to reduce your emotional pain, improving your relationships, plus a myriad of other possibilities that inevitably end up on many New Years resolution lists.
Some of you inevitably find yourself back where you started. Just start where you are with the intention to pay attention and discover the old mental patterns buried deep within you that are out of your awareness that are the culprits. These include hidden limiting thoughts and beliefs about self worth that are fueled by distorted self concepts. Consider them as temporary “guests” that will soon be gone, so you can become aware of their unwanted interFEARance! Commit this year to live in the present and develop and nurture self love, release and let go of the past with courage, and most importantly, practice the willingness to forgive—first yourself and then others.
You are meant to shine as the star you truly are…each of your own facets polished to unique brilliance. New Year’s intentions are well worthy of your attention, and if they are set realistically and you prepare to meet the interference head on, they can allow you to flow naturally toward all you truly deserve. Make room for the new—attract more love and abundance—you deserve it! Study…expand your knowledge; visualize your success, then celebrate all of your efforts, big and small. When you truly love and accept yourself...YOUR LIFE WILL WORK!
I am truly honored to be CoFounder of TRIUNE WELLNESS. I hope to see you at Triune this year. I wish you all the very best—in Body-Mind-Spirit!
TRIUNE Co-Founder
New Year’s resolutions are always made with your very best intentions. You decide that you want to change, and you set out to take real action steps toward what you do want in your life. You see the New Year ahead as a perfect opportunity for a fresh start. The items on the lists may be different, but the themes are often similar. Have you been thinking about your wish list for the year 2010?
Your mind probably tells you what you want to change and what you would like to be different this year based on having experienced CONTRAST. It works like this: when you suffer in some way, you have a chance to experience and deeply know what you don’t want based on your past or current negative experiences, relationships or situations. When faced with contrast, some individuals mistakenly believe that their discomfort, suffering or problems must translate into present and future hopelessness or despair. Their mind judges, criticizes and resists the problems, casting blame for past decisions and failures onto themselves or others, and predicting that still more of the same will always meet up with them in the future. Some will choose to stick with what they have no matter how awful, so they “wall off” the contrast and pretend it never happened (flight), but inevitably the patterns continue. Alternatively, some thrash around and get angry at the contrast, resisting, resenting and blaming it and everyone involved while fighting against it (fight). It is here where the rubber meets the road! There IS a healthier more positive alternative--you can create the life experience you want and deserve to live!
Even though one year has ended and a new year has begun, you are actually always on an infinite continuum of inner growth; like a river, you are flowing along with the current of your own life. You are meant to focus on what you want and expand. You may also consider your life like a fertile acre of ground; you are always capable of cultivating new and better seeds into bright and beautiful buds, blooms and eventually an enchanted garden! In those very experiences unique to your life experience lie the lessons and wisdom that you individually need to discover your own true nature: your innate gifts, desires, and your individual path to peace, joy and love. Unfortunately, some of you may find yourself living as a fish that swims endlessly upstream against the current of unwanted life experiences. This resistance usually develops into habits resulting from internal fear (F.E.A.R.-False Evidence Appearing as Real) that began a long time ago when you were very small.
It is just the right time to begin to perceive your life in a new and empowered way! It is much more helpful to ask yourself—with curiosity and no judgment--what is this situation meant to teach me about myself, and how might I unknowingly create these particular situations that I do not want by creating the contrast to help me awaken to release something that does not serve my highest good? When you take an active part in your life experience as the witness and observe and question with the intention to heal your own life, you can make a decision to focus on what you do want and move proactively in that direction. You can now choose to see yourself as perfect, whole and complete, because you are exactly where you are to learn what you need to grow.
How do you do this? Where is the compass? Once you can see the contrast of what you don’t want, and set your sights on what you do want, how are you supposed to know WHAT to DO to get there, and what about the HOW, WHEN and WHERE? It can feel overwhelming at times. Actually, the guide is right there inside of you; you were born with it installed as software in your hard drive! It is called your Emotional Guidance System (EGS :-), and it can lead the way—but it only works if you practice the courage and willingness to change, which happens through awareness. We all want our lives to change for the better, but in order for your emotional and mental experience, your physical body, your relationships, your diet, your work and finances to improve…you must change inside. You must change your way of thinking, speaking to yourself, and perceiving your life experiences. Your emotions will tell you what you need; your mind can then support you to take right action and make the choices that are best for you. Only then will the outer changes occur!
This is done in layers and involves releasing what has long been held out of awareness mentally and emotionally, often experienced in the present as old habits of behaving and limiting beliefs. There are many skills, strategies and tools that you can develop to aid you in establishing these new healthy and more positive habits! Start this year to take more self responsibility—enCOURAGE what you want to experience in your life by making a commitment to: do some “mental housecleaning”; nurture your relationship to yourself; learn to trust the unknown, and live with some uncertainty. When you commit to begin the process of cleaning house (in your mind), you can start in any “room”! These rooms include the spiritual approach, the mental approach, and the physical approach. I see this as the ‘TRIUNE’…your Body-Mind-Spirit. Pick one area and get started—and don’t hesitate to get some help and support when you need it.
Sometimes change is difficult: you mentally think about what you want for yourself and your life in the new year, and make a list, including goals such as regular exercise, yoga classes, reducing your stress level by getting regular massages and chiropractic treatments, spending time in nature, committing to a regular meditation practice, being more loving kind to yourself and others, nurturing your body with healthy nutrition and supplements, cleaning your “mind clutter” by learning to watch your thinking, being more organized, getting therapy to reduce your emotional pain, improving your relationships, plus a myriad of other possibilities that inevitably end up on many New Years resolution lists.
Some of you inevitably find yourself back where you started. Just start where you are with the intention to pay attention and discover the old mental patterns buried deep within you that are out of your awareness that are the culprits. These include hidden limiting thoughts and beliefs about self worth that are fueled by distorted self concepts. Consider them as temporary “guests” that will soon be gone, so you can become aware of their unwanted interFEARance! Commit this year to live in the present and develop and nurture self love, release and let go of the past with courage, and most importantly, practice the willingness to forgive—first yourself and then others.
You are meant to shine as the star you truly are…each of your own facets polished to unique brilliance. New Year’s intentions are well worthy of your attention, and if they are set realistically and you prepare to meet the interference head on, they can allow you to flow naturally toward all you truly deserve. Make room for the new—attract more love and abundance—you deserve it! Study…expand your knowledge; visualize your success, then celebrate all of your efforts, big and small. When you truly love and accept yourself...YOUR LIFE WILL WORK!
I am truly honored to be CoFounder of TRIUNE WELLNESS. I hope to see you at Triune this year. I wish you all the very best—in Body-Mind-Spirit!
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