Chiropracitic in Chicago Blog

10 Steps To Avoid Common Postural Problems From The Workplace.

2/23/2015

Download your free copy of the proper set-up for your computer and work station (ergonomically correct workstation) at: http://www.drfimreite.com/ergonomicflyer.html

I'm seeing so many people with problems from poor posture in front of the computer that I decided to share my, "Proper Ergonomic Workstation" flyer that I use with my practice members in my office. We're also seeing the same problems develop as the result of texting (text neck) and using other electronic devices, which is all paying havoc on the posture. http://www.drfimreite.com/ergonomicflyer.html

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5 Steps to Create A Sleeping Sanctuary And Get Uninterrupted Sleep

2/20/2015

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Americans now get about 25 percent less sleep than they did a century ago. This isn’t just a matter of fatigue, it causes serious damage to your body.

Sleep deprivation can alter your levels of thyroid and stress hormones, which play a part in everything from your memory and immune system to your heart and metabolism. Over time, lack of sleep can lead to:

Weight gain
Depression
High blood sugar levels and an increased risk of diabetes
Brain damage

Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to get the sleep your body craves.

1. Use battery devices near bed instead of electrical plug devices or cell phones with their EMF and cellular signals.

Research has shown that exposure to high magnetic fields while sleeping can cause severe long-term illness. Many electric clocks produce high magnetic fields.

2. Turn off bedroom-affecting circuits.

A restful sleep is necessary for health and a strong immune system. Electric fields affect the bio-communication system, keeping you from sleeping soundly.

3. Eliminate or shield from radio frequency (RF).

Radio frequency signals from portable phones, cell phones, and wireless devices have been shown to interfere with your body’s immune system.

4. Use beds without metal.

Metal frames and metal box springs can amplify and distort the earth’s natural magnetic field, which can lead to a non-restful sleep. Use natural materials.

5. Make sure there are no elevated magnetic fields. Magnetic fields from appliances and building wiring can penetrate walls into a bedroom and disrupt your body’s communication system. (<0.2milligauss)

Source: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/2/21/are-you-sleeping-in-a-dangerous-electrically-polluted-bedroom.aspx --------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Ideas:

1. Sprinkle just-washed sheets and pillowcases with lavender water, and then iron them before making your bed. The scent is proven to promote relaxation.

2. Hide your clock, so that its glow won’t disturb you and make sure there is no light coming from other sources including your windows as this will seriously impair your body’s ability to produce melatonin.

3. Choose the right pillow -- neck pillows, which resemble a rectangle with a depression in the middle, can enhance the quality of your sleep and reduce neck pain.

4. Paint your bedroom sage green, or another soothing color, which will provide a visual reminder of sleep.

5. Move your bed away from outside walls, which will help cut down on noise.

6. Kick your dog or cat out of your bedroom -- studies have shown that they snore!

7. Take a hot bath 90 to 120 minutes before bedtime; it increases your core body temperature, and when it abruptly drops when you get out of the bath, it signals your body that you are ready for sleep.

8. Keep a notepad at your bedside -- if you wake in the middle of the night with your mind going, you can transfer your to-do list to the page and return to sleep unworried.

9. Put heavier curtains over your windows -- even the barely noticeable light from streetlights, a full moon, or your neighbor's house can interfere with the circadian rhythm changes you need to fall asleep.

10. Eat a handful of walnuts before bed -- they’re a good source of tryptophan, a sleep-enhancing amino acid.

Sources: Reader’s Digest
For even more steps for a good nights sleep, visit: https://www.drfimreite.com/sleep.html

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What's the "Pop" or "Crack" Sound?

10/15/2014

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The audible sound that happens during a chiropractic adjustment is one of the most misunderstood component of chiropractic. To explain what the “pop” or “crack” noise is, it must be understood that this audible is not the objective of chiropractic. So often I will hear a patient or someone I meet say, “Doc can you “crack” me?” I know their intention is sincere, but to doctors of chiropractors and patients who understand chiropractic, this is absurd. The real objective of a chiropractic adjustment is to restore nervous system function and proper structure of the spine. The causes of these misalignments or subluxations (shifting of the spine) are from accidents, slips & falls, poor posture, birth trauma, heredity factors i.e. scoliosis, etc. etc. Nerves stress and poor mechanics lead to devastating consequences to the function of our body over time. So what is the noise?

The sound during the adjustments happens in response to the sudden change in pressure in the spinal joint, along with nitrogen air molecules coalescing together. It’s similar to opening a Champaign bottle - the sudden pressure change along with the air bubbles coming together makes the sound. When people share their experiences of chiropractic with others by saying their chiropractor “cracked” or “popped” their neck or back and now feel better. That’s a misleading description of what’s going on and I can see why some people have a skewed sense of what chiropractic is. A better description of what’s occurring during the chiropractic adjustments is it’s removing nerve stress and/or nerve pressure and normalizing the spinal structure leading to better function and a healthier person.

The sound during the chiropractic adjustment is NOT bone rubbing on bone. Bone rubbing on bone would be called arthritis. If it was deteriorated or degenerated to that level, it would be called severe arthritis and would be exceptionally painful. Again, the noise during a chiropractic adjustment is simply air pressure in the spinal joints. There are some techniques or ways to adjust the spine that don’t elicit the sound so often associated with chiropractic.

About the author:

Dr. Gordon Fimreite, is clinical director at Chiropractic In Chicago Loop. He's been practicing chiropractic for over 15 years and has a passion for chiropractic and health. He is state and board certified in chiropractic and graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic, the founding college of the chiropractic profession and the first such college in the world. Dr. Fimreite can be reached through his website at http://www.ChiropracticInChicagoLoop.com or his clinic at (312) 888-1707.

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Why To Continue with Chiropractic Care After The Pain Is Gone.

10/15/2014

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To prolong the lifetime of your car, you perform regular maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotation, new brakes, etc. Same concept with regular visits to your dentist. Most people go to their dentist to maintain the health of their teeth for a lifetime. By regular visits to your dentist, you can avoid cavities, root canals or even distractions. Your spine is no different. It also need maintenance. It needs regular chiropractic adjustments to restore proper motion and function to the structure and to the nervous system to avoid chronic problems and degeneration.

Why maintain on-going chiropractic adjustments?

“People with five years of Chiropractic care had immune systems that were 400% stronger than cancer patients and 200% stronger than those without cancer.”   R. Pero, Ph.D. - New York University

Coulter, Ph.D. Study of those under chiropractic care to those who aren’t:

                                    With Chiropractic     No Chiropractic
Good/Excellent Health              87%                       68%
Avoid Nursing Homes           96%                       52%
Avoid Hospitals                       74%                       52%

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How To Find A Good Chiropractor

10/15/2014

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Since there's so many different types of chiropractors, referrals are the best way to find a reputable chiropractor. Below is my top recommendations for finding a good chiropractor based on my experience of referring patients to other chiropractors around the country.

1. Find a happy customer who can refer you to their chiropractor.

2. Find a chiropractor with at least 3 years of experience.

Chiropractors with over 3 years experience have adjusted enough people to develop the skills, experience and practice intuition to deliver higher quality service.

3. Find a chiropractor who has access to x-rays.

Not all chiropractors will have x-ray equipment in their office, but with image companies popping up everywhere x-rays can be taken inexpensively. Your chiropractor will be able to evaluate your biomechanics from your x-ray. X-rays will reveal the location and extent of the subluxation (misalignment of the spine).

4. Find and alumni of Palmer College of Chiropractic or Life University. These are the largest, most reputable and prestigious chiropractic colleges in the world. You can call these colleges for a list of alumni who are practicing in your area.

5. Call the chiropractors you're interested in seeing and ask the questions above. Ask if you can have a complementary telephone or in-person evaluation. If your intuition tells you this is the right chiropractor for you, then you're on the right track. Your intuition is usually right. If not, keep interviewing for a chiropractor who you may feel will serve your needs.

Good luck! To your health... to a happier and a higher quality of life through wonderful chiropractic!

About the author:
Dr. Gordon Fimreite, is clinical director at Chiropractic In Chicago Loop. He's been practicing chiropractic for over 15 years and has a passion for chiropractic and health. He is state and board certified in chiropractic and graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic, the founding college of the chiropractic profession and the first such college in the world. Dr. Fimreite can be reached through his website at http://www.ChiropracticInChicagoLoop.com or his clinic at (312) 888-1707.

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