Did You Know? - March 2014

DID YOU KNOW...?

March 2014

Hi Everybody Dr. Norris here. 

There are a lot of misconceptions, misunderstandings and outright fibs regarding the art and science of Chiropractic.  Allow me to resolve a few of them. 

• Chiropractic is the largest non-medical healthcare profession in America.  Despite this only around 15% of the population utilizes chiropractic care.  
• Most people seeing a Doctor of Chiropractic are seeking relief of neck and back pain.  They may not be aware that ankle sprains, wrist injuries, shoulder pain, earaches and jaw pain usually respond well to chiropractic treatments.
• While in school, Chiropractors receive more training in x-ray and therapy than medical doctors.  Students in medical training only take these classes as additional elective courses.
• While the scope of practice changes from state to state, in California, Doctors of Chiropractic are not allowed to prescribe medication.  We can prescribe therapy, nutritional advice, exercises and diagnostic tests such as MRIs.
• Most professional sports teams employ chiropractors.  NFL, NBA and PGA tour athletes have access to chiropractic care.  They report improved performance and quicker healing from injuries.  Olympic athletes have utilized chiropractors for over 30 years.  When you are one of the best athletes in the world you want the best healthcare treatments available... that includes Chiropractic care.

Chiropractic doctors are trained to treat health problems naturally with manual treatments, therapy and exercises.  Feel free to ask me about your health questions.

As always if you or someone you care about is in pain or having a health issue have them call for a consultation.  That's what I love to do, help people.

“Because nobody has time for pain!”

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Norris

HEALTH TIP: The best way to stop a muscle cramp.

Muscle cramps are usually caused by fatigued or dehydrated muscles especially when they are quickly contracted.  When a cramp happens... slowly stretch the muscle.  If it's the calf muscle pull your foot back, if it's the hamstring straighten and stretch your leg.  After a few seconds the cramp will subside.  Then drink cool water to rehydrate.  Gentle massage and an ice pack will help lessen the residual soreness.  

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:

"You can either hold yourself up to the unrealistic standards of others, or ignore them and concentrate on being happy with yourself as you are.”  ~ J. Jacques

*Disclaimer: The information contained herein is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or, medical problems. It is not intended to replace your doctor's recommendations. The information is provided for educational purposes only. Response to care and nutritional benefits may vary from one person to another.

Merry Christmas from Norris Chiropractic- Goodbye 2013!- December 2013

GOODBYE 2013!
December 2013
Hi Everybody Dr. Norris here.
As the year comes to an end I would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year celebration. This will be a short newsletter, but here are a few things which I think you should know going into 2014.
CHIROPRACTIC CARE
While the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) does not cover chiropractic services, there are many insurance companies which do.  Kaiser, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, ASHP, Healthnet and SCAN will continue to offer chiropractic care with a reasonable co-pay.  As always at Norris Chiropractic we accept cash and credit cards (MC & Visa).  If things are financially difficult... we can also set up a payment plan.  I want you to get the care you need.  We can worry about payment later.
JUNK IN JUNK OUT
During the holidays there are always plenty of treats and sweets to much out on.  These kinds of foods tend to lower our resistance to colds and flu... so be careful and eat lightly.  Fresh fruit and veggies have the opposite effect.  They can boost your immune system... so eat up!
HOLIDAY TRIVIA
See how many questions you can get right.
1.  In what city did Miracle on 34^th Street take place?
2.  Name the three reindeer whose names begin with a “D”? 
3.  What is the biggest selling Christmas song of all time?
4.  How many pipers piping did my true love give to me?
5.  What one reindeer is never mentioned in “The Night Before Christmas”?
6.  What is Frosty’s nose made of?
7.  Who wrote A Christmas Carol?
8.  Who lost $8,000 in the movie "It’s a Wonderful Life"?

Trivia answers:
1. New York   2. Dasher, Donner, Dancer   3. “White Christmas”   4. Eleven   5. Rudolph  
6. A button   7. Charles Dickens   8. Uncle Billy... there must be an Uncle Billy in every family!
 

Have a great December!
As always if you or someone you care about
is in pain, have them call for a consultation.
That's what I do, help people get out of pain. “Because nobody has time for pain!”
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris

---

HEALTH UPDATE:
Brain Power
Your brain sends electric messages at 270 miles per hour to every muscle and organ of the body via the spinal cord and nerves! Chiropractic adjustments mobilize the spine, allowing the nervous system to function optimally. I would call that being well adjusted.
 

---

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; 
nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”
~ Thomas Jefferson
 

Thank you, Everyone!- November 2013

THANK YOU, EVERYONE
November 2013

Hi Everybody Dr. Norris here.
In a few weeks we will be celebrating Thanksgiving.  It's my favorite holiday... feasting, football and a four day weekend.  However you spend the holiday please take time to reflect on the things you are grateful for and give thanks.

Here are a few fun facts about Thanksgiving:
- Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. It has been an annual tradition since 1863, when, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwells in the Heavens".

- According to Guinness Book of World Records the heaviest turkey ever was 86 lbs.  The gigantic bird was raised by Philip Cook (no pun intended) of London in 1989.  That's a serious meal...please pass the gravy!

- Approximately 46 million turkeys are prepared each year for thanksgiving. I'm sure they are saying "Eat more chicken!"

- I love pumpkin pie.  But check this out... the largest pumpkin ever was the 2,032 lb. monster grown in 2012 by Tim Mathison of Morgan Hill, CA. Get the whipped cream ready!

- Pro football on Thanksgiving Day has been a tradition since 1934.  The Detroit Lions have played on turkey day the most times.  The Dallas Cowboys hold the record for the second most. Have some turkey and pumpkin pie then crash and watch the game.

As I look back over the last year I'm thankful for many things.  I give thanks to God for my faith, for my wife and daughter.  I give thanks to my friends and family for their love and support.
And of course I give thanks to all of you...my chiropractic family for allowing me to make a living doing what I love to do.  

Have a great Thanksgiving!

As always, if you or someone you care about is in pain, have them call for a consultation.
That's what I do -- help people get out of pain.
“Because nobody has time for pain!”
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris

 

---

HEALTH UPDATE:
Posture Is Important
Have you ever place your hands on the shoulders of someone who has been sitting a long time at a computer.  Usually their muscles are tight and tense.  As we do prolonged activity our posture begins to slacken.  The muscles tighten; blood flow decreases and the nerves begin to produce pain.  That's why millions of people have neck and shoulder pain and muscle spasm.  Chiropractic can help reduce these symptoms and free you from pain.

---

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
 "If you start a new job, work hard eight hours a day and don't worry about the little things. Soon you will be the boss working fourteen hours a day, worrying about everything!”  ~ Donald Trump
 

Maybe It Will Go Away- October 2013

MAYBE IT WILL GO AWAY.
October 2013

Hi Everybody, Dr. Norris here.
There is a sign in my office which says "Five Dangerous Words: Maybe it will go away!"
Every once in a while I see someone read it... smile and nod their head yes. It must be human nature to put things off, procrastinate and hope things will change on their own. Unfortunately our health usually gets worse when we avoid it.  I recently had a toothache which I ignored for weeks.  "I don't have time, it's not that bad... maybe it will go away, blah, blah, blah."  So you probably know how this played out.  My tooth became infected and it had to be pulled.
 I look back now and say "What was I thinking?"

The bad news is untreated spine problems are typically progressive and degenerative.  To put it another way, if a person does not intervene, over time spinal problems get worse not better.  Arthritis, disc disease and chronic muscle conditions are the result of problems which were not addressed when they could have been treated and cured.  These chronic problems require more treatment and relief is sometimes temporary.  When the condition becomes severe the best that can be hoped for is to manage the pain.
 
The good news is that if treated early most conditions respond quickly to care. Chiropractic adjustments, therapy treatments, exercises and life style changes often help even chronic problems.
So if you notice a kink, ache, knot, tweak, ouchie or owie, don't ignore it too long.  Whatever you do don't say those five dangerous words.

As always if you or someone you care about is in pain
have them call for a consultation.
That's what I do... help people get out of pain.
“Because nobody has time for pain!”
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris
 

 

---

HEALTH UPDATE:
Benefits of Laughter
"Laughter increases endorphins, which increases oxygenation of the blood, relaxes arteries, increases heart rate, decreases blood pressure all which have a positive effect on cardiovascular and respiratory ailments, as well as an increased immune system response.  ~ American Journal of Medicine, 1995

---

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
 "Health is a large word. It embraces not only the body, but the mind and spirit as well.”   
~ James H. West

Are You Getting Enough Rest?-September 2013

ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH REST?
September 2013

Hi Everybody, Dr. Norris here.
Almost everyone I talk to says they are busy, busy, busy!  That goes for me too.  Thankfully, Norris Chiropractic has grown each year for the last six years.  I've been blessed to be able to help a lot of people doing what I love to do while providing for my family, but... I haven't had much time off for over a year.  Yes even chiropractors need some down time.  So I will out of the office the second week of September for some rest and relaxation.

This started me thinking about everyone else.  I know many of you are working longer and harder, and then going all out on the weekends.  Are you getting enough rest?  Here are some signs that you may need a break and some recommendations on how to do it.

Our immune system can become compromised by a lack of rest.  Colds we get over and over again, or an illness you can't seem to kick are signs you may need more rest.  Your temperament can be affected.  We can become short-tempered, anxious and irritable.  We can become distracted and careless when we are too busy.  This leads to injuries and painful conditions that can flare-up.  And of course feeling tired is probably the most telling sign that rest is needed.

So what to do?
-Make sure your getting enough sleep each night.  Research indicates most people require 6-8 hours of sleep.  You may be able to get by for a short time on less but it will eventually catch-up with you. The symptoms mentioned above will start to appear.
-Take a nap.  *NASA found that a 29 minute nap is the perfect amount of time to recharge.
-It may seem contrary but daily exercise is also recommended to help you rest.
  I notice that when I stop my workouts I don't sleep as well. Exercises and stretching will allow your body
  to tolerate stress and activity better. 

-Taking time off.  Americans work harder and longer than most other countries.  Because of this we need to rest and recharge from time to time. Even a long weekend can be helpful. When you do take time off beware of a trap...going on vacation and doing so much that you don't rest. Lying by the pool and reading a good book may be what you need versus running all day at an amusement park.
-Treat yourself to a massage.  For the last two years I've had a deep tissue massage once a month.
  It has been one of the best decisions I've ever made.
-Breath... breath... breath... Rhythmic breathing can be very therapeutic and relaxing.
  Here is a simple breathing exercise which will help you unwind.
    1. Find a quiet, dark, comfortable place to lie down.
    2. Arrange for at least 15 minutes of uninterrupted silence.
    3. Take three deep breaths. Concentrate on feeling your lungs fully inflate.
    4. Now slowly breath in through your nose, as much as you can and feel your stomach raise up.
    5. Slowly let as much air out through your mouth as possible.
    6. The breath in and out should take about 10 seconds.
    7. Repeat this breathing technique for 10 breaths.
    8. Remain motionless and breathe normally for 2 to 10 minutes. Don’t be surprised if you fall asleep.
 

I hope these recommendations are helpful.
If you or someone you care about is stressed out or in pain...
have them call for a consultation.
That's what I do, help people get out of pain.

“Because nobody has time for pain!”
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris

---

 HEALTH UPDATE:
Adjusting Your Attitude
"Change surroundings and take a journey. Have an adventure.  Strictly avoid frightening ideas.
Indulge in cheerful conversation and amusements.  Listen to relaxing music.
~ A. Cornelius Celsus, Roman Physician, 25 BC
 

---

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
 "Without passion you don't have energy, without energy you have nothing.”
~ Donald Trump

Have You Ever Wondered Why?- August 2013

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHY?
 August 2013

Hi everybody, Dr. Norris here.
One of the most frequent questions that I am asked is WHY?
Why do I have pain? or Why did my neck start causing me problems? or Why does this motion hurt?
There are numerous activities which can cause spinal pain... but these activities usually fall into three categories.

The first category is TRAUMA. Falls, car accidents, sprain/strains or doing something you rarely do can cause soft tissue trauma.  Chiropractic therapy can help to reduce symptoms and speed the healing process.

The second category is POSTURE.  Poor posture, prolonged and awkward positions often produce spine pain.  Anyone who sits at a computer for eight hours knows the discomfort this can cause.  We have effective treatments and exercises designed to reduce pain from postural stress.

The last category is SUBLUXATION.  When our joints move slightly out of their normal position it is called a subluxation.  Imagine gently bending your hand and wrist backwards towards your elbow as far as possible.  At first it is tolerable, but imagine keeping it there until the end of the day... until the next day... for a week, eventually your wrist will start to hurt because the joint is not in its proper position.  This is what happens when your spine is subluxated... it hurts!  Doctors of Chiropractic are trained to detect and correct misaligned/subluxated joints.

So there are the three primary reasons to the question...WHY?
If you or someone you care about wonders why they are in pain... have them call for a consultation.
That's what I do... help people get out of pain.

“Because nobody has time for pain!”
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris

 

---

Now on a lighter note, here are some fun questions from one of my patients (Mike F. of Lancaster)
which ask... Why?

Why do supermarkets make the sick people walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front?

Why do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke?

Why do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens to the counters?

Why does the sun lighten our hair, but darken our skin?

Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'?

Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavoring, and dish washing liquid made with real lemons?

Why is the man who invests all your money, called a broker?

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?

Why do we park in a driveway and drive on a parkway?

Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?

You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff??

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

We need to smile every once in a while.
OH you didn't smile - well how about this one: 
God promised man that good women could be found in all four corners of the world...
then He made the earth round... I wonder if He laughed.

---

HEALTH UPDATE:
Get Your Sleep!

You need sleep as much as you need food.
Make sure you get enough sleep because without it, your body and your immune system will weaken.
Mark Stibich, Ph.D.

---

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:

 "When the patient loves his disease, how unwilling he is to allow a remedy to be applied.”
~ Pierre Corneille, Le Cid

Some Random Thoughts-July 2013

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS
 July 2013
 
Hi Everybody Dr. Norris Here.

I hope everyone is staying cool.  As I write this we have had 100°+ weather for a week now.  So drink plenty of water and be careful when outside.

This month I want to tell you a few things about my office you may not know.
  Treating Children

Young people respond quite well to chiropractic adjustments. Because they don't have the degenerative changes that older people often have. I have adjusted infants as young as two months old. There are specific techniques I use to treat infants, but most kids can be treated the same as adults. And just like adults they respond with increased mobility, balance and feelings of well-being, as well as decreased pain, muscle tension and stress.

The health of children is so important that if a paying parent brings them in I will treat them for free if they are under the age of 12. So let me know if I can help.
  Rapid Release

Last month I was taking a continuing education class in San Diego. There was a presentation given on a new technology called Rapid Release. The device is a handheld massager which utilizes a high frequency vibration to treat muscle spasm and soft-tissue scarring.  I bought the machine and the results have been amazing. Patients with chronic tight muscles have reported relief for up to several weeks with a single treatment. Inflammation of tendons and fascia also seems to respond well to this modality.
So let me know if I can help.
  Prolonged Postures

With Independence Day earlier this week may of us were watching fireworks. I recall a few years ago looking up watching fireworks high up in the sky. Afterwards my neck was stiff from tilting my head back for a prolonged period of time. So yes I went and saw a chiropractor friend who fixed me. It's not uncommon that prolonged postures produce painful joints and muscles. Sitting at a computer for hours is one of those tasks which causes pain. Working in an awkward position, performing repetitive activities and driving long distances can all cause spine pain. Chiropractic care is very effective in fixing these kinds of problems.
So let me know if I can help. That's what I do... help people get out of pain.
 

“Because nobody has time for pain!”

Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Norris

 

---

HEALTH UPDATE
Why does it hurt?
 
Often, tissue fatigue is the answer. Overuse of muscles and soft tissues from repetitive motion can cause small micro-tears. At a certain point, the tissue simply fails.
It is then prone to inflammation and tightness, which causes pain.  
Journal of Chiropractic, Feb 2013.
 

---

QUOTE OF THE MONTH
 “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; 
  nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”
~ Thomas Jefferson