| Dear Friend of New Beginnings Chiropractic,
We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family. It's hard to believe that we are almost at the end of 2008. So much has happened this year, and so many questions remain ahead to be answered. With all of the changes and stress we face as individuals and as a nation in the next couple of months, it is important to remember the importance of the small things in life. We also need to appreciate what we already have, instead of wishing for what we don't.
There is a lot going on in our newsletter this month! Help protect yourself and loved ones from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If this winter is as bad as some are predicting, it may be a very long and lonely one for some. But there is hope so read both of articles about SAD!
We also have 10 Stress Busting Tips to get you through this crazy time of year, and in our Healthy Extras Section: Frankincense is our Essentail Oil of the Month, Vitamin D is our Supplement of the Month, a Mindful Meditation class will be starting next month, and another Holistic Moms Group meeting has been scheduled. And don't forget about Friday Festive Eve on Friday Dec 5th in beautiful Mount Horeb!
We also want to thank everyone who attended our Fall Into Health Open House last month! It was a great success, and the complimentary services were such a hit that we will offer again in a few months! And thank you all for the food and money donations for the Mount Horeb Food Pantry. With your help, we were able to help families during this holiday season.
Heads up on an AMAZING special you do not want to miss in January! For one week in January, you will be able to try out full sessions of many of our services for one low price! This is wonderful for your pocketbook and a great way to get a jumpstart on your healthy New Year's Resolutions without breaking the bank! We will have more details in next month's newsletter.
And one more thing! Don't forget about Gift Certificates from our office for friends, family and employees this year! This is a great way to pamper someone you care about! Think massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, reiki, ear candling, nutritional & health anaylsis when filling out your Christmas list this year!
We hope you enjoy this month's issue, and as always, feel free to pass it along to anyone who may enjoy it as well!
Your Partners in Health,
Dr. Brenda Trudell, Dr. Joe Ryan,
Dr. Ronghua Jiang, Shelley Ferguson, Rita Stanton, & Amy Mertz
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| General Health |
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Don't Get SAD This Winter!
Well folks, we are right around the corner from winter again. It's hard to believe after the never-ending monster we survived last year! And if the almanacs are correct, we are in for an even bigger beast this year.
While our area offers many healthy recreational options for the powdery stuff such as sledding, skiing, and skating, it lacks in some other important aspects that also affect our health. Shortened hours of daylight, being confined indoors, limited sources of fresh local food, and the possibility of slips and falls can all affect our health. This winter, it is important to take all the necessary precautions to avoid the winter blues.
One major health problem we need to be aware of as we approach the winter solstice is Seasonal Affective Disorder. Better known as SAD, this is a type of winter depression that affects an estimated half a million people (two-thirds are women) every winter between September and April, in particular during December, January and February. It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter.
In our region, wintertime daylight totals about 9 hours on the shortest day of the year, compared to nearly 16 hours on the longest day of the year. Add to that the fact that most of those 9 hours are probably spent indoors, either due to occupation or cold temperatures, and it's obvious that most people probably get little to no exposure to natural sunlight.
Even for those fortunate enough to be outside on a regular basis, our coats, hats and scarves block most of our skin getting any direct exposure to sunlight.
Direct skin exposure is important for the natural production of vitamin D. Once thought of as only important for bones and teeth, Vitamin D is actually one of the most important nutrients for our entire body. It has been shown to help prevent osteoporosis, cancer, depression, heart disease and much more, including SAD. People who live in the northern latitudes are at an increased risk for SAD because of the extreme lack of Vitamin D.
The best form of Vitamin D comes from sunlight. Yes you heard me right, sunlight without the use of sunscreen! For at least 20 minutes a day (longer for dark skin), during the strongest time of the day, generally between 10 am-2 pm, just soak it in and expose as much skin as possible. Clearly, in the Wisconsin winters, this exposure just isn't going to happen.
Vitamin D can also be acquired through certain foods, though many Americans do not get enough of the nutrient this way, as evidenced by the fact that up to 80% of us are deficient. These foods include Vitamin D fortified milk (but generally not other dairy products), cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel, sardines, liver and eggs. Some of these foods are not very common or appealing, and if you are vegan or vegetarian, your options are even more limited.
How much Vitamin D do we need each day?
Read more about Vitamin D, tanning beds, and 20 ways to avoid SAD!
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Acupuncture Q & A |
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Dr. Ronghua Jiang, LAc
Can Acupuncture help Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
Yes, Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have shown positive results for Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD is a form of depression due to the lack of exposure to the sunlight and possibly complicated with stress. Mild and moderate SAD respond to Acupuncture treatment very quickly, while severe cases may need a combination of conventional therapy.
How Does It Work?
According to the Chinese medicine perspective, the underlying cause for SAD and depression is an imbalance of Yin and Yang, and also of certain internal organs such as liver, spleen, heart, and kidney. Qi, pronounced chi, is the natural vital energy of the body. Liver Qi stagnation and Qi blood stasis will cause anxiety and depression. Spleen Qi deficiency will cause a craving for carbohydrates, leading to overeating and possible weight gain and fatigue. Kidney deficiency can cause low libido (sex drive) and cold extremities, like hands and feet. Dysfunction of the heart Qi can cause sleep disorders, such as insomnia or too much sleep. Acupuncture treatments can regulate Qi and blood flow, harmonize internal organs, and balance Yin and Yang in order to ease these symptoms.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
Depending on the severity of symptoms and individual's history, in general, it will take six to ten treatments. After four to six treatments, most patients will start to see positive results.
For more info on SAD, please read the previous article in this month's newsletter.
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| Holiday Stress Tips! |
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Ten Stress Busting Tips for Happier Holidays!
1. Schedule some quiet time for yourself - take a walk, watch the sunset. Identify priorities for your time and energy.
2. Decide on a budget for holiday spending - write it down and stick to it!! Preplanning will eliminate impulse spending.
3. Use a large wall calendar for December to mark down activities, social events and to do items. Remember family TIME!
4. If using a catalog, call early and keep a written record of your order. Use 1-800 numbers to decrease cost.
5. Organize your gift-wrapping supplies early. Put everything together that you will need in the same place.
6. If you send holiday cards, organize everything in one large box. Set a deadline for mailing and work backwards until done.
7. Avoid lines at the post office. Mail Packages early.
8. Examine your holiday activities and routines-eliminate those that are no longer rewarding for you. Ask for help or delegate responsibilities on some of the tasks.
9. Adjust your expectations of yourself this season. Now is NOT the time for the "Martha Stewart" syndrome.
10. Remember to have fun and enjoy the season! Slow down and be mindful of each gift you have.
Hope you have a great and safe holiday season! |
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Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Be safe, be merry, and be healthy.
Don't forget about Gift Certificates this holiday season!
New Beginnings Chiropractic
1861 Business Hwy 18/151 East
Mount Horeb, WI 53572
phone 608 437 9990
fax 608 437 9992
To schedule appointments directly or for specific questions, please call:
Ronghua 608 220 8438 (acupuncture)
Shelley 608 516 8414 (massage)
Rita 608 437 6959 (reiki)
Amy 608 220 9815 (massage)
Your Partners in Health,
Dr. Brenda Trudell, Dr. Joe Ryan,
Dr. Ronghua Jiang & Shelley Ferguson, Rita Stanton, Amy Mertz |
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Healthy Extras! |
Friday Festive Eve December 5th!
If you are out and about shopping in Mount Horeb on Friday Festive Eve, be sure to stop into Bergey Jewelry at 203 E. Main St from 5-8 PM! New Beginnings Chiropractic will be offering free chair massages, spinal screenings, mind clearings and nutritional ananlysis! Refreshments and holiday specials too! Great time to pick up gift certificates for friends and family! Use them for massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, reiki, ear candling, nutritional analysis, and more!
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Next Holistic Moms Group Meeting Scheduled!
Are you a parent interested in holistic health, green living and midful parenting? Are you ready to meet other moms who share your same passions? The South Central WI Chapter of the Holistic Moms Network will be having their second meeting on Wednesday, Dec 17th at 6:30 pm. We will be meeting at the Mount Horeb Public Library at 105 Perimeter Rd.
This month's topic will be Sharing Birth Stories. Please join us even if you have not given birth! Learn from those who have gone before you, or share your ideal birth! The meeting in January will be on the 21st and the topic will be Holistic Resolutions for 2009.
Thank you to everyone who attended our Open House and made it such a huge success!
For any questions, please call Dr. Trudell, email at holisticmomswisc@yahoo.com,
or visit Holistic Moms Network.
Essential Oil of the Month:
Frankincense-The Gift of the Season!
Rita Stanton, RN
Frankincense has a warm, balsamic aroma that is stimulating and elevating to the mind. Create holiday memories with the sweet scent of frankincense diffusing throughout your home.
Victor Marcial-Vega, M.D., a former radiation oncologist, now employs a new approach. He uses essential plant oils for bringing relief for a wide range of conditions including urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, trauma, dental infections, bleeding gums, hemorrhoids, and breast cancer. He says the quality of the oil is an important consideration because the plant oils function as potent antioxidants. Unfortunately, he cautions that many aromatherapy oils are not pure and carry contaminants that act as mild poisons. Frankincense is one of the most adulterated oils in the world, so QUALITY IS A MUST! Young Living Oils are of the highest quality.
Ever wonder why Frankincense was given to the Christ child?
Historical Data: Also known as "Oil of Lebanon", Frankincense is considered the "holy anointing oil" in the Middle East and has been used for thousands of years. It was well known during the time of Christ for its anointing and healing powers. Once "used to treat every conceivable ill known to man," frankincense was valued more than gold during ancient times, and only those with great wealth and abundance possessed it.
Science information: Frankincense contains sesquiterpenes, which stimulate the limbic system of the brain (the center of memory and emotions) and the hypothalamus, pineal and pituitary glands. The hypothalamus is the master gland of the human body, producing many vital hormones.
Medical Properties: Anti-tumoral, immunostimulant, antidepressant, muscle relaxing.
Uses: Depression, cancer, respiratory infections, inflammation, immune-stimulating.
Supplement of the Month:
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients for our body, and has many more uses than building strong bones and teeth. It affects our overall health and can reduce heart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression and more. The best source of Vit D comes from the sun and is made by our skin. During the cold winter months with shortened daylight, it is virtually impossible to get adequate amounts of Vit D without taking a supplement. It is important that the supplement is high quality and in a form your body can use.
For more info on Vitamin D supplements, please feel free to contact our office.
Don't miss this month's article, "Don't Get SAD This Winter!" for more info on how Vit D can help fight Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Mindful Meditation Class
Anyone interested in a class on Mindfulness Meditation to be offered in January contact New Beginnings.
Rita Stanton RN CHTSM will facilitate a class one afternoon/evening a week for 4 weeks. Mindfulness is conscious awareness and understanding of our thoughts, feelings, actions and motivations. It has been documented to relieve stress and decrease depression.
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