BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY NATURALLY

 

   “Winter Cold & flu Defense”

Leaving the flu vaccine aside for a moment, there are natural ways for you to defend against a winter cold, flu or upper respiratory infection this year. Influenza typically starts in November and peaks February and winds down in March. On average 36,000 people a year dies from influenza in our country. Remember typical influenza symptoms are fever, headache, and fatigue, cough sore throat, stuffy nose, and muscle pain. Children may also experience nausea, diarrhea and ear pain, ear infections. Influenza infection can last 3-7 days with cough and fatigue lasting up to two weeks. Here are some natural ways to protect you and your family this year.

3 HEALTHY HABITS

Wash your Hands: Research shows washing your hands frequently helps prevent infection of others and yourself.  Soap & water work best but when not available use alcohol based hand sanitizer.  Realize hand sanitizers only protect you for a few minutes, the idea is to rinse off contamination.

  Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and wash your hand immediately.  you can also sneeze or cough into your sleeve.  This prevents your germs form being inhaled by others around you.

Get proper rest of 7 hours nightly.  This keeps your immune system strong and alert. 

3 BOTANICAL BOOSTS

Vitamin D: In recent studies people with the lowest levels of vitamin D had more colds, flu, and respiratory infection.  Vitamin D is converted by the body into it’s active form called calcitriol  which is then synthesized by the immune system which helps regulate cytokine reactions; defending the body against microbial invaders.  Recommended doses are 1,800 –2.000 IU daily for improved immune function. 

Turmeric / Curcumin: Stimulates the immune cellular response and regulates cytokine response leading defense against microbial invaders.  Recommended doses are between 250-450 mg daily.

Resveratrol: Helps regulate T1 and T2 immune cells influencing cytokine expression; defending the body against microbial invaders. recommended doses are 200-400mg daily. 

NOTE: Taking Turmeric / Curcumin and Resveratrol together works synergistically and has better immune response.

Research has demonstrated the chiropractic cervical adjustment can stimulate the immune response and relieve stiff and tight neck and back muscles during a cold infection.

Boosting immunity naturally ensures less infection and quicker healing.  Trust in the power of your body and it’s ability to heal itself. 

 

Curtis Haake D.C.

*Before trying recommendations in the article talk to your doctor for more information and possible medication contraindications.

Stop My Headache

The dog won't stop barking, the kids need to be picked up, the bills are due, "Oh my splitting headache! Nearly everyone has had a headache, especially a tension headache or the most common of headaches.

Headaches should not be taken lightly because they may indicate a more serious health condition. The NIH (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) recommends you get medical help right away if you have a headache after a blow to your head, or if you have a headache along with a stiff neck, fever, confusion, loss of consciousness or pain in the eye or ear.

TENSION HEADACHES
Tension headaches can be caused by stress that tightens the muscles of the neck, shoulders, scalp and jaw. Anxiety, depression, lack of sleep can also trigger a tension headache.

OTHER COMMON HEADACHES
Other common headaches are migraine, cluster and sinus headaches. These headaches have more severe signs such as dizziness or nausea and often are treated with medication.

CHIROPRACTIC LINK
I have been treating people with all of the above headaches for the past 10 years through chiropractic medicine. After a thorough examination to rule out a more serious health condition I have found that cervical manipulation restores neurologic tone to the neck, shoulder, scalp and jaw allowing for improved function and circulation which means reduced pain. I have also created a FREE e-Book "5 secrets to Headache Relief" that addresses posture, home therapy techniques and exercise to minimize early headache symptoms.

If you suffer from repeated tension , migraine or sinus headaches and have had a professional diagnosis to rule out more serious health conditions; then I invite you to download our FREE e-Book and discover home relief remedies I recommend to my patients.

Remember NIH recommendations and get a professional diagnosis to rule out potential health problems.

Dr. Haake

Prevent Fitness Injuries

From professional athlete to weekend warrior, injury prevention can have different and sometimes opposite meanings. But looking at musculoskeletal injuries from running, weight training or recreational sports is on the rise. As people train more frequently at ages above 40 years old, the chance for a fitness injury is even greater. The question is: Can we reduce or prevent this?

The second reason for a doctors visit in the U.S. is back pain. Common sports injuries are sprained ankles and anterior cruciate injuries to the knees. These types of musculoskeletal injuries are preventable.

PREVENTION

Lesson 1: Be consistent in your training or exercise. Decreased fitness is the second most common reason for injury. Your muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones and heart need stressing to maintain tone and function. With inconsistent training they just don't hold up well and the risk of injury goes up.

Lesson 2:Stretching vs Warm-ups

Stretching for people who are less flexible will serve them better in injury prevention but people who are normal in flexibility will do little to prevent injury. So stretching for the masses to prevent injury is out. Warm-ups before exercise helps improve performance, less muscle soreness and less injury. 8 minutes on an elliptical, bike, push-ups and crunches serve as a basic warm-up. To prevent leg injuries look at an 8 minute sample routine:

Sample Routines

Lesson 3:Focus on preventing what you are prone to.

If ankle sprains are a problem try balance training to strengthen the ankles, ankle brace for more aggressive training, or replace your running shoes every 6 months or 300 miles. If you feel you are injury prone then a musculoskeletal examination from your chiropractor is advised.

A Plan

A good 5-8 minute warm-up program, stretch if you are tight, ice an initial injury 20 minutes every 2-3 hours the first 24 hours and be consistent in your training will go a long way toward injury prevention, and keep you on your feet happy-healthy and pain-free.

3 Signs That Your Knee Pain Needs Medical Attention

Knee pain can be debilitating at its worst and an annoyance at its best. If you play sports or are over 45 then you have probably experienced some knee pain in your life. But when should you be concerned about knee pain? What are the warning signs for care?


There are over 100 different kinds of arthritis but the most common arthritis is Osteoarthritis involving the larger weight bearing joints of the body such as the knee. This is a destruction or wear and tear of the cartilage in the knee and appears gradually over time. Pain is the number one cause for a doctor’s visit involving the knee Certain supplements helped with this kind of pain and can also offer protective properties. Proper exercise and ideal body weight also keep the knees healthy.

PAIN THAT LASTS MORE THAN 48 HOURS

Pain that comes on suddenly from an event such as hiking or a fall could indicate a knee condition such as a sprain/strain or damage to the inside of the knee joint. Pain with weight bearing or pain that starts when walking up and down stairs could be a torn ligament a torn meniscus or related to swelling which is the next warning sign.

SWELLING THAT LASTS MORE THAN 48 HOURS

Swelling behind the knee is the most common site. Swelling can also appear on the sides of the knee (lateral collateral or medial collateral ligaments) or above and below the kneecap. Swelling can be a sign of a torn ligament or inflammation of the bursae which are small sacs of fluid outside the knee that cushion muscle and ligaments movements. Swelling can also be a sign of infection or Gout, especially if red, hot or accompanied by fever.

INSTABILITY OR A FEELING OF KNEE JOINT LOCKING

Knee joint locking or knee buckling can indicate a serious internal joint injury such as torn ligaments / meniscus / or a neurologic problem. Again possible injuries include tearing of the meniscus / anterior cruciate or posterior cruciate ligament.

WHEN TO SEE A SPECIALIST

If you have mild pain or swelling that is not limiting your movement or preventing you from weight bearing; then 3-5 days of rest and ice and elevation usually helps. But if you experience any of the 3 warning signs then you should seek treatment immediately. At Total Health chiropractic I offer a New Patient examination and treatment with therapy such as Cold Laser, Ultrasound, and exercises for complete recovery. Request our New Patient eBook (eBook includes basic knee exercises) for an appointment and discounted examination.

If you experience any of these 3 Warning signs then see your chiropractor or primary care doctor today.


Thank you for trusting me with your health,



Curtis Haake D.C.
Health Coach