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Encinitas Chiropractor : The Nature of Health and Mankind

Is health the absence of illness? To may of us the answer is yes! Actually, this is far from the truth. Health is the ability to play with our children and grandchildren. It is the ability to smile and laugh with our friends and to climb that mountain or staircase when we want to for our enjoyment and pleasure. In many ways real health is tied to our happiness, and happiness is the ability to do the things we want. We run, bike, play, walk, go to the beach or enjoy an outdoor jazz concert. It’s called quality of life.

This is different from what we often hear but the truth needs to come out. If you are not living life to its fullest, for yourself or for your loved ones, in happiness and grace then you are not living a full healthy life. Our bodies are never devoid of disease. At all times of the day our bodies are removing cancer cells, fighting off foreign bodies (toxins, bacteria and viruses), and repairing damaged systems. This repairing process you recognize as tendonitis, gastrointestinal problems, fibromyalgia. The list goes on.

These realizations bring us back to the question, what is true health? It is the body’s ability to adapt to a changing internal and external environment. It is not the lack of disease! Disease is always present. If this disease is kept in check by the body then we can play with the kids, climb that mountain, and laugh with our friends and family.

If this is true health, and you are not doing this, it is time to have a heart to heart talk with yourself and ask “why not?”. It may be that you have been looking at things the wrong way. Healing does not occur outside of your body. No doctor or procedure can heal you from the outside, it is up to you and your body to heal from the inside out, from the top down. As a chiropractor my goal is to help create the environment for this healing to occur, naturally, without drugs. All healing is from within and is given to us by the power that created us. This is the same power that allowed us to grow from a single cell to the great and wonderful human beings we are today.

Many types of health professionals will help you with conditions and symptoms. Only chiropractic targets the center of your being , the brain and spine, so that your body can do what it does best: heal from the inside out, from the top down. That is why so many people use chiropractors! ( besides just wanting to feel fabulous! )

Your health is in your hands and the power to regain it is yours. It is my job and the job of all health care professionals to advise you of how to reach this goal but only you can define your own level of health, and ultimately, your level of true happiness.

Most of you know what it takes to make your body run correctly. There is no lack of information on this subject. My directive for my readers: resolve right now to go and be healthier and happier and start taking steps to take back your health!

 30 years separates these women. The one on the left is still bone dense, and "does the right stuff".

Read on if you love life and active longevity is important to you! While nothing will "cure" Osteoporosis, there are things you can do to slow it down, and in some cases, reverse it. The following are life strategies for women seeking to stay healthy, not to cure disease.

This is part 2 of my Osteoporosis Osteopenia article. This information must "get out", so if this resonates with you at all., please share with your friends. In fact, share with any female over 30. To review, Osteoporosis is a significant decrease in bone mineral density. Osteopenia means you are sub normal in bone mineral density. 

From your age 19, as a female, generally you start to lose bone density. Bone density is made up of several factors:  Imagine a 3 dimensional screen where sand is glued to it. The screen is the protein that makes the framework of the bone, called Trebeculae. The sand is the collection of minerals that makes up the rest of the bone. The bone is structured in a very organized way, much like someone building a bone from Lego's. Yes, it is that organized. It has to be , because you lose 20% of your bone every year, and 20% is added. The bone is a dynamic living thing that changes according to the stress on your body. There is a new you coming!

Or not. Enter Boniva and Fosamax. MD's have been prescribing these drugs for years. Just now, attorneys are entering class action suits against these pharma firms. Why? They only lay down calcium on the outside of the bone, in a very unorganized fashion, similar to a drunk that is stuccoing your house. Imagine someone with a palate full of stucco standing back from your house and throwing calcified mud on the outside wall, and calling that a good job. That's what these drugs, Boniva and Fosamax do.What that means is, yes, your bones are somewhat stronger in some situations such as standing still. Problem is, the Boniva has produced a bone that has a strong mineralized DEAD sheath, over dying framework. It is a porcelain bone. If you were to fall, it breaks easily. It has no tensile strength. That is why the watchdogs of our society, the lawyers , are now suing Boniva and Fosamax. I am of the mind if you take drugs, you bear your own risks. But what to do?

 From a nutritional standpoint, take Cal Appatite Plus from Metagenics, and Ostera. Cal Appatite is shaved cow bone from New Zealand, with D3. It works on it's own quite well to remineralize you. The Ostera is all of the nutrients your body needs to grow bone, such as Vitamin K and Berberine, which postively ( increases ) the bone marker osteocalcin. Just do it , and be happy. Order it from my vitamin store on my home page. This applies for all females over age 40. If you procrastinate, you are losing bone, some of which you will never get back. Even your jaw bone is getting resorbed  ( your body eats it's own bone and does not replace it )  at an increasing rate!         ( And you thought jowls were the total result of loss of elasticity! )  For my So Cal people, the evidence is in: Osteoporosis and Osteopenia makes you look OLD.  So if you don't do it for your health, do it for your looks!

In addition to my nutritional supplementation, we should address other factors  which you are under control. Smoking decreases bone. Not exercising , especially not weight training, decreases bone. An unhealthy diet, ( we need our green leafys! ) decreases bone. Go do the right thing, and be healthy!    Dr. Scott SeBastian Encinitas Chiropractor

A very fun event for all multisport fans is coming again this spring to Encinitas!

I encourage all of my patients to try this very fun event. It's a great way to get involved in other sports you do not normally excel in. Time to join that master's swim team, join the Trek ride group, or hang out at Movin Shoes on Monday!

  the Encinitas Triathlon!

The Event

THE BASICS

EST has 4 different racing categories on Sunday, the Sprint Triathlon, the Super Sprint Triathlon, the Beach Duathlon, and the Sprint Triathlon Relay. Awards are given 3 deep for both men and women in each age category as well as in the Elite Sprint division. All finishers receive a finishers medal and all participants receive a athlete bag with an event t-shirt and other sponsor products.

Your age group is based on USAT racing guidelines what ever age you are by the last day of the current year is  the age in group in which you will be racing. For example, if you are 39 and turn 40 in November, youwill race in the 40-44 year old age group. More information can be found on the USA Triathlon website.

Minor are welcome to do our event however is you have a child under the age of 12 years who would like to do the triathlon, or younger than 10 years who would like to race the duathlon please contact race organizers prior to signing them up, triathlon@enincitasrace.com.

Distances

• Sprint Triathlon is a 750 meter open ocean swim, a 20k bike ride down the HYW 101, and a 5k run.
• Super Sprint Triathlon is half the distance of the regular Sprint Triathlon, 375 meter open ocean swim, 10k bike ride, and a 2.5k run.
• Beach Duathlon starts off down on the next to the swim start corral, the participants do 1-mile hard pack beach run then proceed up the hill onto the 10k bike course, followed by a 2.5k run.
• Sprint Triathlon Relay  is a 750 meter open ocean swim, a 20k bike ride down the HYW 101, and a 5k run completed by a team of 2-3 people.

 One of the favorite events is the 5K Run Walk. A very fun course, in beautiful Del Mar.
This event resonates with all of my female patients, sportswomen, mothers, daughters, everyone!

The fun begins with  exhibits featuring all the luxuries that gals love — apparel, jewelry, handbags, makeup and skin-care products; spa services; health and fitness products; gourmet foods; and designer items and services for the home — plus a fashion show, complimentary wine tasting,  a 5K Run/Walk and a chance to win prizes each day.

The scenic out and back (and mercifully flat!) course begins and ends at the Expo's front door. In between, it winds along the San Dieguito Boardwalk and Lagoon Trail , peppered with pom poms - feather boa stations, tiara stops and refreshments.This newest stretch of the Coast-to-Crest Trail has never before been the site of a 5K. As such, it will be christened by the footfalls of hundreds of fabulous and philanthropic gals. Lively music and a post-race dance party await finishers.

First -place winners in each age division snag a SPA CERTIFICATE.

 Free baby shower daily

The expo’s Baby Bump & Beyond is a special stage segment for expectant moms. Each day, 40 expectant moms will be treated to a baby shower that includes a presentation by a doula or registered nurse that can answer questions about the delivery and recovery process. The shower is limited to the first 120 expectant moms to register one month prior to show , on the shower hotline: 619-491-0677.

    Wine Tasting

On Saturday and Sunday, attendees can enjoy complimentary wine tasting of One Hope Wine, which donates fifty percent of profits to breast cancer charities. (Sample it at the show then look for it at local grocery stores.)

Free nail pampering 

Attendees can treat their metacarpal end-caps to a free nail-color overhaul at the Expo’s Luscious Nail Lounge.

Treasure Hunt

Attendees can also participate in a Treasure Hunt.  It’s as easy as having a bingo-like card stamped while shopping the show.   There are lost of great prizes. 

Complimentary spa certificates!

The first 100 women each day will receive a complimentary spa certificate from eLiveLife.com for the therapeutic massage, beauty care or holistic health treatment of their choice. Powerful incentive to deploy that alarm clock at an ungodly hour. Our Clinic, Leucadia Chiropractic Wellness Clinic, will have valuable certificates included in your pack!

The popular Head to Toe Women’s Expo — now in the 8th year — is the creation of San Diegans Rosemarie Gibson and Debbie Adelman. This dynamic duo organizes and coordinates every Expo, which attracts attendees throughout San Diego County and beyond .

http://www.headtotoewomensexpo.com/

 Ouch! I have a headache!

What Type of Headaches Do You Get?  Ask Leucadia Chiropractic.

    90% of the U.S. population experience occasional headache pain and 45 million people experience chronic headache pain.  Many people suffer from more than one type of headache.  Headaches can be divided into primary and secondary headaches.  Primary headaches are not related to a specific disease while secondary headaches are a symptom of another disease process.  For example, high blood pressure and sinus infections can cause headaches.  

Which types of headaches do you have?

•    Common Migraine
•    Classic Migraine
•    Hypertension
•    Cluster
•    Muscular Tension
•    Temporal Arteritis
•    Cervicogenic
•    Sinus
•    Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
•    Brain Tumor

A Chiropractic doctor can determine what type of headache you have by:

1. Obtaining a complete history to rule out secondary type headaches and rule out pathology.
2. Determining triggers and causes of headaches.
3. Assessment of the joints of the neck and upper back to identify movement restrictions and subluxations.
4. Taking x-rays and special imaging to confirm the proper headache diagnosis.

Some of the most common headaches include Migraines, Tension, Sinus, and Hypertension headaches.

Migraine headaches ( 2 types):
Common- usually occurs in childhood and early adulthood.  Patient will notice pain on one side or both sides of the head.  The headache usually gets worse as the day goes on.  Some common characteristics include photophobia, throbbing, worse pain behind one eye, nausea and/or vomiting, family history of migraines. Migraines tend to occur less frequently with advancing age and pregnancy. Common migraine triggers include bright light, chocolate, cheese, tension, red wine, menstrual cycle.
Classic- usaully occurs in childhood and early adulthood. Defining characteristic is pre-headache "aura" with the same additional characteristics and provoking factors as common migraine.
Muscular Tension headache- Can occur at any age.  Usually described as a band like pain or vise around the head.  It is characterized by pressure and muscle tightness and provoked by fatigue, faulty posture, muscular imbalance stress and work.
Cervicogenic headache- Occurs with adults.  Pain is usually at the back base of the skull or upper neck area.  It often occurs daily with decreased neck range of motion in the upper neck.  The neck pain radiates or is referred to the head.  These headaches are provoked by head movement, subluxations, and other misalignments of the neck.
Sinus headache- Occurs with any age group.  Generally localized and described as a steady throb with local tenderness and worse in the morning hours and when bending over.  
Hypertension headache- Adult onset occuring at the back of the head or vertex.  Often patients wake up at night with this headache.  Headaches will usually last 3 hrs. Patients will have elevated blood pressure.

Research has demonstrated that spinal manipulation.  The primary form of care provided by doctors of chiropractic is an effective treatment option for Tension headaches and headaches that originate in the neck.  

 Researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center concluded that spinal adjustments resulted in almost immediate relief for headaches that originate in the neck, and had far fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than a commonly prescribed headache medication.

Also, a study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic manipulation is an effective treatment for tension headaches and that those who ceased chiropractic treatment after four weeks experienced a sustained therapeutic benefit in contrast with those patients who received a commonly prescribed headache medication.

Leucadia Chiropractic will do one of the following if you suffer from a Primary headache:

•    Perform chiropractic adjustments or manipulation to improve spinal function and alleviate stress on the nervous system.
•    Provide nutritional advice, recommending a change in diet and possible supplementation.
•    Offer education and advice on proper posture, ergonomics, exercises and relaxation techniques.  This advice should help to relieve the recurring joint irritation and tension in the muscles of the neck and upper back.    By Jeremy Sontag