No more caffeine!

What’s one thing I can do to be healthier?

Quit caffeine! Did we just suggest that you give up your soda or coffee? Well, unfortunately, caffeine contributes to lowered blood sugar levels, which also causes cravings for refined sugars and causes fatigue. There are many other problems with caffeine. For example, the Department of Health lists caffeine along with nicotine and heroin as an addictive substance. In a book by Stephen Cherniske called Caffeine Blues: Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America's #1 Drug, he links drinking sodas to malnutrition, depression, fatigues, decreased learning skills, childhood obesity, and osteoporosis!

How can you get off it? Well, weaning is the best, so if you currently drink 5 cups of coffee or 5 sodas per day, then we recommend that you only have 4 per day for a week or two. Next, decrease to 3 per day for a week or two and so forth. You get the idea?! Some people can go “cold turkey” but most of us who have tried to do that and are not the “cold turkey” type are back to drinking our 5 cups of coffee on the 3^rd day. Instead of drinking the coffee or soda, we recommend no-caffeine herbal green tea or freshly prepared juices that aren't loaded with sugar. You also have to watch out that you're not getting caffeine through foods like cookie with chocolate or chips, coffee flavored snack foods, cake pudding, brownies and fudge, just to name a few!

If you'll take the time to wean yourself off these items that contain caffeine, you'll likely find yourself having an easier time sleeping at night, a decrease in fatigue and generally better overall health!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year to everyone! We hope that you had a blessed Christmas and enjoyed time with family and friends. As we look back on 2010, it is also time to look forward to 2011 and all it has to offer. Do you feel like it’s time to shed a few pounds? Do you need to lose more than a few? Well, we have the program for you! We’re calling it “Why Weight? Get Healthy!” It’s a 12 week weight loss challenge that starts Tuesday, January 18^th with an informational meeting at 6:30pm. Please call the office at 620-665-5076 to RSVP or for additional information.

Knee pain

Do you have trouble going up and down stairs because your knees are stiff? Do you have pain after walking or standing long periods? This could be a sign of a problem with the knee joint. There are a number of things that can be causing the pain or stiffness so it’s important to get the knee evaluated. Problems such as torn meniscus, ligament tears as well as arthritis should be cared for promptly to avoid further injury.

We realize that there are a number of you who may be thinking that if you have a knee problem, you’ll have to have surgery. Not all evaluations will result in you having to have surgery. In fact, in our office we see a number of people with knee problems. Through chiropractic treatments, therapy and/or acupuncture, many have experienced decreased symptoms and improved functioning.

Are there things you haven’t been able to do because of knee pain? Call us today for an evaluation.