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May Massage Special

Friday, our Massage Therapist, is offering a 90 minute massage for $75 during the month of May. Call soon to schedule your appointment!

We have gift certificates available for Mother’s Day. This would be a great gift for Mom!


April 2018 Newsletter
April 10, 2018

You could win a door prize...click here to learn more!


Holiday Hours and New Text Line
December 19, 2017

First Wellness Family Chiropractic will be closed Monday, December 25th-Monday, January 1st for the holidays.

Call or text us to get in before the holidays. Remember our new text line is (512) 599-3332.


The Dark Side of ESI (Epidural Steroid Injections) by J. Hunter Owen D.C.
September 21, 2017

It’s the latest craze...everyone is doing it...Epidural Steroid Injections for low back pain. Well, here are a few things about them that I bet you probably haven’t heard...

  1. Epidural Steroid Injections treat the symptom (pain), not the cause! It’s the same thing as having a thorn in your foot, and taking anti-inflammatory to make it feel better, without removing the thorn. The pain in your low back is not because you’re running low on anti-inflammatory drugs.
  2. Epidural Steroid Injections are harmful and dangerous, especially done over and over. Even one steroid injection can cause permanent bone loss and increase chance of spinal fracture by 21%.  Among other side effects are joint damage, weight gain, auto immune disorders, infections, nerve damage, paralysis, stroke, and yes even death.
  3. Epidural Steroid Injections into your spine for pain is not approved by the FDA. That’s right, Dr’s will do what’s called “off label” use, meaning they side-step FDA approval.  Why doesn’t the FDA just approve it and make it “on label”?...see # 2 above!

It never ceases to amaze me how willingly people will not only avoid correcting the cause, but do more harm than good when trying to get rid of pain.

Pain is not your problem!


First Wellness Offers Customized Massage Therapy
June 8, 2017

First Wellness offers Customized Massage Therapy

How does that work with Chiropractic Care?

Hi Folks! This is Friday Ashley, LMT writing to those of you who may not know yet how Massage and Chiropractic can work together for your wellness.

When you come into the Massage Room we will chat for the first minute or so about what is the best kind of Massage Therapy for you today.  Together we can customize your massage based on your physical condition and personal goals.

Q: What is your physical condition today?

Are you feeling well?  Stressed?  Want to detox?  Have you been working out?  Got an old or new injury?  Been in a recent accident or remember one from a while ago?  Do you have an on-going issue like Arthritis, TMJ or Low Back Pain?

Q: What are your personal goals for the massage today? 

Do you just want to relax?  Or do you need help with a conditional issue?

Relaxation Massage is Therapeutic and simple.  Familiar with the name, “Swedish Massage?”  It is characterized by the use of long flowy strokes that feel very relaxing.  It aides with circulation and decreases the “stressed” feeling.  It can be performed from “Head to Toe” in a 60 minute session.  Yay!

Clinical Massage is meant to help you with more specific areas.    This pre-massage chat may take a few more minutes on the first appointment.  It includes modalities such as “Deep Tissue”, different kinds of stretches and some relaxation  time.  A 60 minute appointment tends to focus on a more local area of the body and does not necessarily get to include the “Head to Toe” routine.

Massage works with Chiropractic care because Dr. Owen works with the bones to correct your alignment.  The massage helps to normalize the soft tissue to help keep the alignment, the bones, in place.

Please contact us to set up your appointment and to ask questions!


Check Out Our New State of the Art Digital X-Ray Machine!
May 25, 2017

X-Ray


We Appreciate Your Reviews!
April 4, 2017

Yelp Certificate


It Was Just a Fender Bender
April 4, 2017

Auto Accident

One of my biggest “pet peeves” as a chiropractor is to be watching the 6 o’clock news and the cameraman to pan across a car accident where a car is totaled. The newscaster comes on and says, "and there wasn’t a scratch on them!"

Now you would think logic would prevail in this situation, but there is absolutely no way an individual can be in an auto accident where the car is totaled and they “don’t have a scratch” on them!  They might not have a fracture, dislocation, or severe bleeding, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY ARE OK!!!!

The human body was not designed to be in a car accident. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve put up an individual’s X-rays and asked when the car accident was they were in. There are tall-tell signs that show up on X-rays that are indicative of auto accidents.  “Well there was that one 10 years ago, but I was only sore a couple days, AND THEN THE PAIN WENT AWAY...” This is the problem we run into when our priority is to treat pain. Your #1 priority when in an auto accident, or any other accident for that matter, is to HEAL PROPERLY!

Auto accidents, even low mph ones, are recipe’s for misalignments.  When you are in an auto accident, your alignment will be affected and this can happen without any pain at all!  The very moment of the car accident, your body will start the healing process.  The VERY last thing you want to have happen for your quality and quantity of life IS TO HEAL OUT OF ALIGNMENT!

I see it all the time, but I’ll take some responsibility for that. Maybe I haven’t done a very good job at informing the public...so here we go!

Public Service Announcement:  Immediately (within a day or two) following an auto accident, even low mph ones, you need to get checked by your chiropractor.  We are not only looking for fractures, dislocations, and bleeding, but we are also looking at your ALIGNMENT.

I’ve seen countless cases where an individual’s quality and quantity of life are severely impacted due to the fact that they failed to get checked. They healed out of alignment following a car accident, fall, or whatever! Priority #1 is healing...and a close 2nd is pain management...

GET CHECKED!

by J. Hunter Owen, D.C.


Why Do I Need Treatment If I Am Not In Pain? By Dr. H. Hunter Owen D.C.
February 14, 2017

Running

“Why do I need treatment if I’m not in pain?”...One of the most common questions I get as a chiropractor. I always wonder if the dentist ever gets asked the same question...maybe, but probably a lot less. People understand the need  for dental care, that by the time the tooth hurts, the damage has been done.  But for some reason, we assume that the scenario only applies to our teeth. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is imperative in being good stewards of our bodies to understand the role of physical pain in our management of our health and wellness.

First, ANY AND ALL PHYSICAL PAIN IS A SYMPTOM!  A symptom is, by definition, something that indicates the presence of bodily disorder. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something ELSE is wrong and it is not working the way it’s supposed to be working. Pain is your body’s way of communicating with you that something is  “out of order”. By definition, this makes pain a trailing indicator...meaning it follows something else and it results from something else...it is CAUSED by something else!  Take any pain that you might have, from toothache, to heart attack, to headache, to back pain, the list goes on and on, and all of them are a result of something else out of order, they are NOT the problem!

In our society, it seems the two greatest motivating factors in our behavior and choices are to seek pleasure and avoid pain. I want to offer an alternative way of looking at things. If we do indeed believe that we were created by a higher being, isn’t it safe to say that our bodies are not our own?  As a matter of fact, they belong to our Creator, and we are merely borrowing them...for a short time...the same way we would borrow a lawn mower from our neighbor. Now, depending on the type of neighbor we want to be, are we not obligated  to take the best care of the item that was borrowed? Ideally returning the item back in at least the same, or even BETTER shape than we first received it?

Now, I understand that we grow old. We can’t turn back the hands of time. But when we accept certain aspects of our health as “givens” as we grow older, that is just plain wrong. One of those aspects that we accept as a given, but truly isn’t, is that as we grow older our bodies WILL develop arthritis/joint degeneration...Which ironically looks a whole lot like a cavity in a tooth. Now surely our Creator would have given our body some way of communicating with us that our bodies were headed down an arthritic path...an engine light to tell us the engine is not in proper order...Well, He did. It’s called pain.

But where so many of us miss the mark is that we treat the pain, as if the pain is what the problem is...We take a pain pill.  We wait it out. We get adjusted!!!! We do whatever so the pain is no longer there. We ASSUME that if the pain is gone, the PROBLEM is gone! We couldn’t be further from the truth.  As I said before, pain is a trailing indicator. It’s the last thing to show up and the first thing to go away. Some people have high pain tolerance, some low.

If you take away anything, take away that we were never designed to be pain avoidance, pleasure seeking beings. We were not designed to just treat pain. If we want to  be good stewards of our bodies, then we HAVE to treat the CAUSE of the pain!  And that is where chiropractic shines!

Dr. J. Hunter Owen D. C.


What To Expect
September 20, 2014

What To Expect

What can you expect from your first visit to First Wellness? A fundamental shift in how you think about your health and your life.  Also you will get a partner in making sure you are living optimally!

When you walk in for your first visit, you will sign in at the reception desk and fill out some short forms. Then we will invite you into a consultation room, where Dr. Owen will talk to you about the reason for your visit.  He will gather more information about your health history and concerns.  He will conduct a thorough examination including a posture check, comprehensive examination, and a full spine x-ray.

Finally, Dr. Owen will discuss your recommended treatment plan. If you are in pain when you come into our office, the first objective is to help you feel better. The next phase is corrective/restorative care and once your body has fully healed, to ongoing wellness care.


High Pain Threshold Is Bad For Your Health?
May 5, 2011

Spine

Most of you have heard me talk about how one of the worst things you can do is use pain as an indicator of your health. For example, the first sign of cardio-vascular problems is heart attack 40% of the time. I had a patient the other day go to their MD with lower right stomach pain. He was sent for a CAT scan and then home. He actually had a ruptured appendix.  They caught it in time, but very easily could have been a different outcome.

Our culture glorifies the guy who can break an arm and doesn’t flinch. Ignoring your pain and managing your pain are two different things. Ignoring your pain can get you 6 feet under.  Accepting and managing your pain is how our body is designed to function.

We want to be in-tune with what our body is trying to tell us. Pain is always the last thing to show up and the first thing to go away when you have a subluxation.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had patients with end phase arthritis in their neck. They look at the Xray in awe, turn to me and say, “but my neck never hurt”!!!

Pharmaceuticals are very good at “getting rid” of pain. They do a great job of getting us to think that if we don’t hurt, we must be healthy.  The news flash is that even the most healthy people have some pain. There is no such thing as an absence of pain. It’s a myth. The sooner we stop chasing the myth, the more we can concentrate on being healthy. Becoming more healthy involves pain...

I started a new work-out routine this week and there is not a place in my body that I’m not sore. And I mean really sore!  Is it worth it?  The thought doesn’t even cross my mind.

The take-away here is to be in-tune with your body.  Don’t drink the pharmaceutical kool-aide. Take care of your body, it’s not yours to begin with!

Dr. O.


The #1 Most Overlooked Aspect of Health?
April 15, 2011

Spine

Your spine!  As your spine comes out of alignment, even a millimeter or two, it puts pressure on your nervous system. The more pressure your nervous system has on it, the more unhealthy you are.

In addition to pressure on you nervous system, processed food, and lack of exercise, mental stress, and you have the reason for the vast majority (I would contend ALL) of diseases we see.  Why would we assume that the answer to our disease, when caused by the above, is in a pill?  Your body is not running low on Aspirin!  antibiotics, etc...

Great video from Mercola below...

http://www.youtube.com/user/mercola#p/a/f/1/FPI7zdGdqo4

Please question comment below, I’d love to hear from you.

Dr. O.


One of My Favorite Comments...
April 6, 2011

Spine

We, First Wellness, were attending a healthfair just the other day.  We try to get out from time to time to let people know about what it is we do, since most people think chiropractic is just for low back pain.  One of the attendees passed by our booth and I asked, "Do you have a chiropractor?"  They turned and replied, "I don’t need one, I don’t have any pain."  Now with all due respect, this is how most of us think.  We think this way because we haven’t been taught, or learned anything different.

Let’s rewind and pretend I was a dentist, "Do you have a Dentist?"..."I don’t need one, I don’t have any pain." Sounds silly doesn’t it?  Now, granted there are still people out there that only see the dentist when they are in pain, a number of people (the learned ones) see their dentist when they’re not in pain...for prevention!

Since chiropractic is successful at reducing pain once it’s occurred, isn’t it logical to "assume" that it’s also successful at preventing before it occurs?  What most individuals don’t realize is that in order for your body to hurt,  bones have to move out of alignment a relatively long way.  Pain is your cars engine light that comes on because you didn’t get the oil changed/checked.

Pre-pain signs your body is out of alignment:  Stiffness will come before pain the vasts majority of the time, minus acute trauma.  But since most don’t see stiffness as a problem, it is usually written off.  But even before that, trouble sleeping, more often then not, is the first sign/symptom of a kink putting pressure on your nervous system.

Pressure on you nervous system will have significantly more impact on your quality of life than stiffness or pain ever will.

Get checked!

Dr. O.

P.S.  I’ll be posting some mis-alignment specific stretches on Youtube soon, be on the lookout!


What Produces 90% of the Stimulation and Nutrition For Your Brain?
March 22, 2011

Brain

Answer: Movement from your spine!!! What is THE best method for restoring motion to the spine that is locked up from daily activities/wear and tear?...Chiropractic!

Dr. Roger Sperry, Nobel Prize recipient, states, "90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine."

Movement of your spine is the engine that drives your brain. When your spine becomes kinked and locked up, whether from old age, old injury, day/night habits, even genetic factors, your brain suffers. By suffer I mean your thinking, metabolism, immunity, and healing! This is your quality and quantity of life, it’s a little bigger than just back pain!

The first sign/symptom of your spinal subluxation is NOT pain, but loss of sleep!  When we treat we are adjusting your nervous system, decreasing stress, allowing you to relax and sleep better. I have a number of patients who come for treatment not for back pain, but for quality/quantity of sleep!

The take away...we’re treating your quality of life, not just your back pain.

Dr. O.


You're Either In The Pain, or In The Pain!
March 3, 2011

Walking

I went to a seminar a few years ago and had a speaker say to me, “You’re either in the pain, or you’re in the pain”. He was talking about building your business.  You’re either in the pain of building, or you’re in the pain of shrinking/stagnation. He was right. That statement can be applied to a lot of situations, even chiropractic.  A lot of people don’t go to a chiropractor because it might be uncomfortable to get an adjustment, especially if it’s the first time. The more stuck a joint is, the more uncomfortable it can be to adjust it.

But what’s the other option, and what are results?  When you don’t get adjusted, the joint over time will get tighter and tighter. It adheses, gets tighter, and contributes/causes arthritis. This can be very painful. The misalignments can/will put pressure on both your nerves, spinal cord, and brain stem.  Anyone think that’s a good thing?

So again, you’re either in the pain, or in the pain.

And one more thing about pain...Pain is ALWAYS the last thing to show up (when a joint is locked), and the first thing to go away (when a joint is unlocked). It is only an INDICATOR of the actual problem.  The worst mistake you can make is thinking that your pain is an indicator of your health. Think cavity here...a cavity only hurts when it gets close to the nerve...the cavity was there long before...it just didn’t hurt!

Consistant chiropractic care (regardless of pain) is the only thing you can do to ensure that your body is not only out of pain, but is also functioning the way it was designed!

Dr. O.


Check Out Our New Movie!
March 1, 2011

And don’t be stingy, share the secret with your friends!



Knowing The Difference...
February 14, 2011

Had a great conversation with a patient the other day about know the difference when your body is balanced and aligned, and when it is kinked and locked up.

The body becomes kinked, locked up, out of alignment slowly over a period of time, unless there is trauma i.e. sports, car accident etc.  Sometimes months, sometimes years, think sleeping position/work position. The time-frame does contribute to the severity of the problem, but what is important here is the perception of the problem.

I’ve had patients come in the office with low back pain, only to find out they have severe arthritis in the neck. “My neck has never hurt” they ask surprised. The process is so slow that they don’t perceive pain as you would think, although there was also loss of range of motion that was going on at the same time. Like watching grass grow, it’s hard to perceive.

A good example here is a cavity, the cavity doesn’t hurt until it’s close to the nerve.  You had the cavity prior to that, it just didn’t hurt.

The good news is the more you get adjusted and balanced, the more you are able to perceive the difference.  Becoming more aware of your body and being in tune with what it is telling is going to make you more healthy and well.

If you ignore your body long enough, it will start to ignore you.

Take away...don’t let pain dictate your health. Get checked early.

Dr. O.


"Scientists Fear MMR Link to Austism"
February 7, 2011

New research shows a link with MMR to both bowel disease and autism.

I always like to get both sides of the story before making decisions. It looks like this story will be going on for quite sometime.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-388051/Scientists-fear-MMR-link-autism.html


Our Ability to Adapt...
February 3, 2011

Human beings ability to adapt is a double edge sword. As our joint lock up from wear and tear, there will be more and more episodes of pain. The more pain there is the more the joint will lock up.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a patient come into my office and tell me they have “never had any neck pain” and I find they have severe arthritis! And people are soooooo proud of their high pain threshold...

This is due to our ability to adapt. The brain will only take so much pain. When we ignore the pain, or worse take pain meds, our body will eventually adapt and begin to ignore the pain. As we ignore our body, our body will eventually ignore us. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE, IT’S JUST NOT CAUSING PAIN. It’s just trying to survive, can you blame it?

Everyone has kinks. Only some people are smart enough not to ignore their body!

GET CHECKED! PAIN OR NO PAIN!

Dr. O.


Newsletter...
February 2, 2011

Happen to see our Issue 1 of “Being Well” email newsletter?

One of the perks of being a First Wellness insider! 😉

Dr. O.


Arthritis Foundation and Motion...
January 20, 2011

I had to take a picture of this new Arthritis Foundation billboard on Burnet Road. In the day and age of the “Magic Pill” to keep you healthy, we have forgotten about how critical motion is to our joint and our health.

I’m going to be doing a blog here soon on “The Secret of Chiropractic”, but to give you a teaser...

NOTHING restores motion to a joint better and faster than chiropractic.

Dr. O.


The BEST Thing You Can Do For Your Nose
January 14, 2011

If you suffer from allergies, colds, sinus congestion, head cold etc, why aren’t you washing your nose? Because nobody else does? Great reason. You wash your hands, wash your body, but not the one thing that comes in contact will ALL the air you breath? Where do you think all that pollen goes????

I do this almost every day of the week, if I forget I always wish I had.

Ask me about Nasopure next time your in the office.



Follow The Money...
January 14, 2011

I hope it’s not a surprise that big pharma has put their target on the youngest of our society. Either they know that the drugs they are giving them are actually harming them, or they truly think the drugs are helping them, which is ignorant. Either way, our kids as well as everyone else woulb be better off throwing the drugs in the ocean. Of course that would kill all the fish, but at we would be healthier.

http://www.alternet.org/story/149282/15_dirty_big_pharma_tricks_that_rip_you_off_and_risk_your_health_for_profit?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=alternet


Start The New Year Right With a Master Cleanse!
January 4, 2011

Some of you may know that every year in January, I do a Master Clense aka Lemonade Fast. A Master Clense involve a specific lemonade drink (fresh lemon juice, grade B maple syrup, and cayan pepper) that you drink for the duration of the fast. I’ll usually do anywhere from 4-7 days. It’s great for detoxification, as well general reset of your digestive and immune system.

I do not recomend the Master Clense for losing weight, but it is a great way to START a healthy eating lifestyle change!

If you have questions, ask me next time your in.

Dr. O.


The Battle of the Cold!
December 22, 2010

Child with a cold

Slippery Elm: The inner bark of the Slippery Elm, when mixed with water, it becomes a slick gel. This gel is rich with antioxidants and coats your throat, stomach lining and intestines.

Herbal Tea: Making a tea from the herb echinacea may help fight the common cold. Goldenseal tea helps treat respiratory tract infections, eye infections and even yeast infections. Hot ginger or elderberry tea can help soothe a sore throat.

Honey: If you have a sore throat, try gargling with a honey mixture.

Nasal Saline Rinse: A natural nasal saline irrigates your nose and helps clear thick mucus and relieve pressure from your sinuses.

Steam: Steam can moisturize your nasal passages and will help the pressure from your sinuses.

White and Cider Vinegar: Wearing a pair of cotton socks soaked in white vinegar is an old, natural remedy that is still used today to reduce a fever.

White Willow: White willow is a natural anti-inflammatory and fever reducing remedy.

Chicken Noodle Soup: Chicken noodle soup has been medically proven to help cure a cold or fever. It is most effective if the soup is made with actual chicken bones in the broth.

Garlic: Here’s one folk remedy to cure a cough or chest cold — chop raw pieces of garlic and mix it with olive oil. Let the mixture sit for a half hour, and then rub the mixture on the bottoms of your feet and cover with socks. The garlic will be absorbed by your skin.

Ginseng: Ginseng can help cure a cold or the flu, as well as prevent future colds if taken as a daily supplement.

Sources: WPHL December 2010

Dr. Mercola’s Comments

Americans catch more than one billion colds a year, making it the most common infectious disease in the US. It’s also the number one reason for doctor’s office visits, despite the fact that conventional medicine has little to offer in the form of treatment.

One of the reasons for this is because colds are caused by viruses (and there are more than 300 cold-causing viruses), not bacteria. So taking an antibiotic for your cold will NOT do you any good whatsoever. Antibiotics only work on bacterial infections, such as sinus, ear and lung infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia.

Generally speaking, you do not need to seek medical care for a simple cold. However, if you have symptoms indicative of a bacterial infection you may want to consider visiting your doctor. For signs and symptoms to look out for, please see this article.

The Case Against OTC Cold and Cough Remedies Most uncomplicated colds last between eight and nine days, but about 25 percent last two weeks, and 5-10 percent last three weeks. How quickly your cold is resolved has a lot to do with your general lifestyle habits and the state of your immune system.

More often than not, over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold remedies will NOT cause a speedier recovery. In fact, some may simply prolong your agony by working against your body’s natural defense and healing mechanisms.

For example, one previous study showed that people who take aspirin and Tylenol (acetaminophen) simply suppress their body’s ability to produce antibodies to destroy the cold virus. This is the complete opposite of what you’re looking for...

The natural remedies listed above can help reduce your worst symptoms, which is all OTC drugs can do as well, but without the potentially dangerous side effects.

However, an even better option would be to implement certain lifestyle strategies that can help you avoid ever getting a cold in the first place.

The Importance of Maintaining a Robust Immune System It’s important to understand that the primary underlying reason for why you keep catching colds is an impaired immune system.

Just being exposed to a cold virus does not mean you will automatically catch a cold. If your immune system is operating at its peak, it should actually be quite easy for you to fend off the virus without ever getting sick.

If your immune system is impaired however, viruses can easily overwhelm your natural defenses and take hold.

A robust immune system is dependent on a number of lifestyle and environmental factors, but the most common factors are:

1. Optimized vitamin D levels--Research has confirmed that “catching” colds and flu may actually be a symptom of an underlying vitamin D deficiency. Less than optimal vitamin D levels will significantly impair your immune response and make you far more susceptible to contracting colds, influenza, and other respiratory infections.

In the largest and most nationally representative study of its kind to date, people with the lowest vitamin D levels reported having significantly more recent colds or cases of the flu--and the risk was even greater for those with chronic respiratory disorders like asthma.

I strongly believe you could avoid colds and influenza entirely by maintaining your vitamin D level in the optimal range. Vitamin D is an amazingly effective antimicrobial agent, producing 200 to 300 different antimicrobial peptides in your body that kill both bacteria and viruses.

2. Avoiding sugar and grains--If you feel yourself coming down with a cold or flu, this is NOT the time to eat sugar, grains, artificial sweeteners or processed foods. Sugar is particularly damaging to your immune system-which needs to be ramped up, not suppressed, in order to combat an emerging infection. 

3. Getting proper rest--If you aren’t getting enough sleep, or enough restorative sleep, you’ll be at increased risk for a hostile viral takeover. Your immune system is also the most effective when you’re not sleep-deprived, so the more rested you are the quicker you’ll recover. You can find 33 secrets for a good night’s sleep here. 

4. Effectively addressing emotional stressors--Emotional stressors can predispose you to an infection and make cold symptoms worse.

Finding ways to manage daily stress as well as your reactions to circumstances beyond your control will contribute to a strong and resilient immune system. My favorite tool for this is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a system that helps balance your body’s subtle energies and repair emotional “short-circuits.” EFT may even help you overcome cold symptoms.

5. Regular exercise--Regular exercise is a crucial strategy for increasing your resistance to illness. There is evidence that regular, moderate exercise can reduce your risk for respiratory illness by boosting your immune system.

In fact, one study found that people who exercised regularly (five or more days a week) cut their risk of having a cold by close to 50 percent. Exercise likely cuts your risk of colds so significantly because it triggers a rise in immune system cells that can attack any potential invaders.

Ideally, establish a regular fitness program, such as Peak Fitness, now, to help you ward off colds and other illness. However, if you’re already feeling sick don’t overdo it. Over-exercising can actually place more stress on your body, which can suppress your immune system--and you don’t want that either. You might just go for a walk if you are coming down with a cold, or simply tone down your regular workout. Any rise in body temperature will be an unwelcome climate for a viral invader, though, so some exercise during a bout of cold is likely to be beneficial.

If you address these five primary factors that can make or break your immune system, you’ll be well on your way to never having to suffer another cold again.

However, should you come down with one, then what?

Safe and Natural Cold Remedies 

The list created by WPHL contains several of my recommended home remedies. Here are several more suggestions that they missed, including vitamins and other supplements that can help treat your cold symptoms.

1. Hydrogen peroxide: I don’t advise over-the-counter medications, but one simple treatment you can try that is surprisingly effective against upper respiratory infections is hydrogen peroxide.

Many patients at my Natural Health Center have had remarkable results in curing colds and flu within 12 to 14 hours when administering a few drops of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into each ear. You will hear some bubbling, which is completely normal, and possibly feel a slight stinging sensation.

Wait until the bubbling and stinging subside (usually 5 to 10 minutes), then drain onto a tissue and repeat with the other ear. A bottle of hydrogen peroxide in 3 percent solution is available at any drug store for a couple of dollars or less. It is simply amazing how many people respond to this simple, inexpensive treatment.

2. Herbs and spices with high ORAC scores, such as turmeric, oregano, cinnamon, and cloves (for more on ORAC, visit http://www.oracvalues.com). You can simply add these liberally to your food. 

3. Vitamin C: A very potent antioxidant; use a natural form such as acerola, which contains associated micronutrients. You can take several grams every hour till you are better unless you start developing loose stools 

4. Oregano Oil: The higher the carvacrol concentration, the more effective it is. Carvacrol is the most active antimicrobial agent in oregano oil. 

5. Propolis: A bee resin and one of the most broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds in the world; propolis is also the richest source of caffeic acid and apigenin, two very important compounds that aid in immune response and even fight cancer. 

6. Elder flower extract: Rich in vitamin C and a wide range of valuable flavinoids, including anthocyanins and quercetin, elder flower has been traditionally used as a tonic to boost immunity. It is also widely known to promote lung and bronchial tract health. 

7. Elderberry: In one study, published in the Journal of International Medical Research, elderberry syrup reduced the severity of flu symptoms and shortened their duration by about four days. Elderberry extract is also known for inducing sweating, and helps relieve congestion. 

8. A tea made from a combination of elder flower, yarrow, boneset, linden, peppermint and ginger; drink it hot and often for combating a cold or flu. It causes you to sweat, which is helpful for eradicating a virus from your system. 

9. Olive leaf extract: Ancient Egyptians and Mediterranean cultures used it for a variety of health-promoting uses and it is widely known as a natural, non-toxic immune system builder. Also make sure to drink plenty of fresh, pure water. Water is essential for the optimal function of every system in your body and will help loosen secretions. Drink enough water to turn your urine a light, pale yellow.

Homemade Cough Remedy 

As mentioned by WPHL, honey can help relieve a sore throat or bothersome cough. However, it’s important to make sure you’re using raw honey for optimal health benefits.

That said, it’s quite easy to make your own homemade cough and cold remedy. The Organic Consumers Association has published several great recipes, including this simple honey lemon cough syrup:

Honey Lemon Cough Syrup

Lemon helps promote health by quickly alkalinizing your body, and honey will kill any bacteria. This is a perfect choice for a quick cough remedy.

• Put a pint of raw honey in a pan on the stove on VERY low heat (Do not boil honey as this changes its medicinal properties).

• Take a whole lemon and boil in some water in a separate pan for 2-3 minutes to both soften the lemon and kill any bacteria that may be on the lemon skin.

• Let the lemon cool enough to handle then cut it in slices and add it to the pint of honey on the stove.

• Let mixture cook on warm heat for about an hour.

• Then strain the lemon from the honey making sure all lemon seeds are removed. 

• Let cool, then bottle in a jar with a lid and store in the refrigerator.

• This syrup will keep for 2 months in the refrigerator. To soothe a cough, take 1/2 teaspoon for a 25 lb. child and 1 teaspoon for a 50 lb. child, about 4 times a day, or as often as needed. Adults can take 1 tablespoon doses.

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/12/22/alternative-cold-remedies.aspx


Osteoperosis
December 21, 2010

Osteoperosis

I have a number of patients that come into the clinic and buy calcium to help support bone health. There is more and more evidence/studies that suggest that calcium can actually make the problem worse.

Whether or not this is true, there are, without a doubt a number of things that you can do to help your bones, that work far better than just taking calcium alone. It also just so happens that these are the same lifestyle habits that make you healthy in other areas. Although not as easy and taking a calcium supplement, diet (VEGGIES) and exercise make the biggest bang for buck for your bones.

Calcium is just one of around 12 minerals your body needs for healthy bones...what about the other 11? Just so happens you can find them in veggies and lean meats. Himalayan salt is also a very good supplement for your trace minerals, as Dr. Mercola explains below.

I can understand why an individual would be against diet and exercise if all it did was help your bones, but when you stop and think how many things diet and exercise effect, how can you not?

Dr. O.


Water, Water, Water...
December 16, 2010

Two of the, if not the two, highest priorities in your health and wellness should be the quality of the food you eat, and the quality of the water you drink (you could throw in air quality, but we have little control over that). Only after the above comes motion, alignment, etc.

Dr. Mercola does a great job on the why’s and what’s of water quality and filters here:

http://waterfilters.mercola.com/drinking-water-filter.aspx


Rethinking Butter!
December 7, 2010

If you haven’t learned by now, I’m a huge contrarian. If I see the huge majority of people going one direction, it’s usually a pretty good indication it’s the wrong direction. I understand, people feel safe in numbers, but trusting God to make you safe instead of following the crowd is alot better path.

Also, you’ll see the below link to Dr. Mercola’s website, you might see me link to his website often. He’s one of the good MD’s.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/12/07/why-is-butter-better.aspx


Austin Children's Shelter
December 2, 2010

We are collecting toys for Austin Children’s Shelter from now through Christmas. Toys/clothes for ages 6 and older. They said they have ages 0-6 taken care of. Please bring by donations and put them in the box by the Christmans tree in front reception room.


Fish Farm Video
November 30, 2010

The more we try to shortcut nature, for the sake of profit, the less healthy we are.



15 Dangerous Drugs Big Pharma Shoves Down Our Throats
November 23, 2010

http://www.alternet.org/story/148907/15_dangerous_drugs_big_pharma_shoves_down_our_throats?page=entire


QE2 Explained, I Couldn't Resist...
November 17, 2010



Diabetes Drug May Be Linked to 500 Deaths; AP
November 16, 2010

PARIS--French health officials say the now-banned diabetes and weight loss drug Mediator may have been linked to the deaths of about 500 people.

France’s health products safety agency is advising users of the drug--the brand name for benflourex in France--from 2006 to 2009 to see their doctor to check for possible heart valve problems.

The agency said Tuesday that about 5 million people used Mediator starting in 1976.

The European Medicines Agency pulled benflourex from the market last year, saying it had little effect on diabetes and might lead to a dangerous thickening of heart valves.

In September, European regulators pulled blockbuster diabetes drug Avandia off the market because of alleged links to heart attacks.

Dr. O.

Change your lifestyle, then add the drug, if needed. Anyone ever see a drug change a lifestyle???? In a good way?


Insurance Irony
November 16, 2010

According to Psychiatric Times:

“Traumatic events include, but are not limited to, recission of health insurance after developing a costly illness, denial of health insurance due to a pre-existing condition such as being female and fertile or delay of needed treatment or medication due to requirements for pre-authorization. In the case of physicians, traumatic events include witnessing the deterioration of patients due to financial ruin resulting from uncovered costs of care. Similar to some forms of PTSD, this disorder is prone to be severe because the stressor is of human/corporate design. Note: this diagnosis is not currently reimbursed by health insurance carriers.”


What's Your (Sleeping) Position?
November 15, 2010

Do you routinely wake up in the morning with a back ache? If your answer is yes, there is a fairly simple fix that can do away with the pain: Change your sleep position.

Second only to sleeping on a worn out mattress, the position in which you sleep has a big impact on your body.  Sleep position is one of the (if not the) most underappreciated factor in spinal misalignment and resulting pain.

Here are some tips to help you help your body when sleeping:

  • Do not sleep on your stomach. Sleeping facedown can cause strain in your lower back.
  • If you routinely sleep on your back, put a large pillow under your knees. This will help lessen pressure on the sciatic nerve in your lower back. Don’t use a pillow for your head. Instead, put a small pillow or rolled-up towel under your neck. If this is uncomfortable or painful, try sleeping without a pillow. 
  • The best sleep position is on your side with legs drawn up in a “loose” fetal position. To take the most stress off your back, put a pillow between your knees; you can use one of those long “body pillows” if that works well.

If you are sleeping in a position that could be aggravating back pain, it is important to “retrain” your brain to change position. Make the wrong position uncomfortable or “bank” yourself in the right position before going to sleep. It won’t take long for your brain to reprogram itself.

We sell an orthopedic head pillow to help our clients achieve the best sleep position. If you would like to get information about this pillow and its use, call or come by. We’ll be happy to talk to you about sleep position and how to use the orthopedic pillow for best results.

(By the way, if this is the first time you have heard about the effects of sleep position on your back health, don’t be surprised. The other day, a patient told us, “I’ve had multiple MDs and half dozen chiropractors over the years, and none of them discussed sleep position with me!”)

Dr. O.


The Wellness Way
November 3, 2010

Wellness

Wellness is a state of optimal health. When you are managing your wellness, you look for the underlying causes of any disturbance or disruption in your physical, emotional, and mental health; then you make whatever lifestyle adjustments are needed to optimize conditions.

When your body is working the way it should, it tends to heal effectively. Wellness management encourages this natural healing, and minimizes the need for invasive treatments to the body like surgery or prescription medicines.   When the body heals well and maintains itself well, then there is another level of health that goes beyond the quest for relief of pain or other symptoms.

The Wellness Way is your opportunity for vitality, vibrant health, and an enhanced experience of life!

Dr. O.

Contact Us Today!

We look forward to hearing from you.

Our Location

7739 Northcross Dr., Ste. J | Austin, TX 78757

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