Low-Tech Ways to Slim Down and Stay Healthy

Vista California Chiropractor Comments:

Many people believe that they have to exercise for an hour everyday, sweating profusely, in order for the exercise to be beneficial. However, that is simply not true. There are plenty of low-tech alternatives that help you lose weight and stay healthy. Here are a few:

Jumping rope is a low-tech workout that works every muscle and delivers a full-body workout.

1. Jump ropes aren’t just for kids and boxers in training any longer, and in terms of getting the cardiovascular system revving, this is one form of exercise that can’t be beat. This is one calorie burner that works every muscle, delivering a full-body workout that slims and tones.
   
   
2. Get a dog and take it for long walks! In one study, people who walked their dog 20 minutes a day, five days a week lost an average of 14 pounds in a year! Something about that companionship that sure beats walking on a treadmill!
   
   
3. Get enough sleep. Recent research found that sleep deprivation increases cravings and decreases the amount of leptin in your body – a hormone that helps burn more energy. So don’t skimp on sleep if you want to slim down!
   
   
4. Listen to music while you exercise. It makes the exercise routine less…routine…and keeps you going. It’s a distraction from the physical energy you are expending, so it doesn’t seem as though you are working as hard. The result: you stick with the exercise routine longer when the music is cranked up!
   
   
5. Invest in a gym ball. This provides a fun way to improve flexibility, balance, strength and tone. They also help you lose weight!

You don’t have to get fancy to exercise, and you certainly don’t have to join an expensive gym or spa to get the same benefits. Get a good night’s sleep, leash up your dog, turn up the volume on your iPod, and get walking!


Dr. Kevin Dette is the clinic director at Pacific Family Chiropractic located in Downtown Vista. To schedule an appointment Call 760-643-9191

Vista California Chiropractor Comments:

The Natural State of Your Mind and Body is Health.

True health is when your body works as it was designed.

Feeling Great

Most people think that how they feel is an indicator of how healthy they are. It’s not true.

Let’s say you unknowingly eat some spoiled food. Later you get stomach cramps and vomit. You certainly don’t feel well, but thankfully your body is functioning correctly. Imagine the tragic consequences of taking a drug to calm your stomach, retaining the toxic food!

Vomiting, sneezing, coughing and even fevers may actually be signs that your body is working correctly: the definition of true health!

Functioning Great

Your brain, spinal cord and all of your nerves control and regulate your body. Every cell, tissue, organ and system (even your immune system!) take orders from your nervous system.

Thus, true health is how well your nervous system is orchestrating the workings of your body. That’s why subluxations are so serious! Compromised brain-to-body or body-to-brain communications are the underlying cause of a variety of health problems.

Many people with a spinal problem discover that other health problems resolve with chiropractic care. Reducing nervous system disturbances along the spine has been shown to produce positive changes throughout the body.

Dr. Kevin Dette is the clinic director at Pacific Family Chiropractic located in Downtown Vista. To schedule an appointment Call 760-643-9191

Answers for a Slipped Disc

Vista California Chiropractor Comments:

Slipped Disc

A disc can’t slip. But it can wedge, bulge, protrude and herniate. Chiropractic care can help.

The most serious disc problem is a prolapsed disc in which the soft center ruptures and leaks.

Space for Nerves

The disc is a special cartilage between the bones of your spinal column. It attaches to the vertebra above and below it. This creates the separation between spinal bones so pairs of nerves can exit the spine.

Turning and Bending

Each spinal disc has a jelly-like “ball bearing” core that is contained by bands of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs give you flexibility for normal turning and bending. Improper lifting, slips, falls and car accidents can cause the core to shift:

Herniation - disc wedging narrows nerve openings. Obvious symptoms may not be present.

Protrusion - like a blister, the disc bulges where it is the weakest, causing nerve pressure.

Prolapse - with the cushioning and separating compromised by rupture, movement is painful.

Chiropractic First

Chiropractic has been a natural solution helping millions with a variety of disc problems.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How does Chiropractic help disc problems?
A: The purpose of Chiropractic care is to locate and correct areas of the spine interfering with the proper nervous system control of your body. Because the intervertebral discs are so close to the spinal cord and nerve roots, disc involvement is quite common in Chiropractic cases. Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper motion and position of malfunctioning spinal bones, reducing nervous system involvement. If caught before permanent damage, disc tissue often returns to a more normal size and shape by restoring proper motion and position of affected spinal joints.

The purpose of Chiropractic care is to locate and correct areas of the spine interfering with the proper nervous system control of your body. Because the intervertebral discs are so close to the spinal cord and nerve roots, disc involvement is quite common in Chiropractic cases. Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper motion and position of malfunctioning spinal bones, reducing nervous system involvement. If caught before permanent damage, disc tissue often returns to a more normal size and shape by restoring proper motion and position of affected spinal joints.

Q: Aren't disc problems simply the normal aging process?
A: No. However, many disc problems are the result of years of neglect. Many spinal problems are nonsymptomatic until the advanced stages of degeneration. There are many cases of elderly patients who have maintained their spine throughout their lives who enjoy excellent spinal health and function.

No. However, many disc problems are the result of years of neglect. Many spinal problems are nonsymptomatic until the advanced stages of degeneration. There are many cases of elderly patients who have maintained their spine throughout their lives who enjoy excellent spinal health and function.

Q: I didn’t do anything so how can a disc be involved?
A: This is a common refrain. Because our bodies are unusually adaptive, we can often accommodate a variety of stresses for years. Finally, like the “straw that broke the camel’s back,” we turn or bend funny and suddenly our spine succumbs to the accumulation of stress.

This is a common refrain. Because our bodies are unusually adaptive, we can often accommodate a variety of stresses for years. Finally, like the “straw that broke the camel’s back,” we turn or bend funny and suddenly our spine succumbs to the accumulation of stress.

Q: Is surgery ever recommended?

A: In extreme cases, as a last resort and after other more conservative approaches have been taken, surgery may be the only alternative.


Dr. Kevin Dette is the clinic director at Pacific Family Chiropractic located in Downtown Vista. To schedule an appointment Call 760-643-9191

It Was No Big Deal, There Was Hardly Any Damage

Vista California Chiropractor Comments:

Fender Bender

Auto accident.

Don’t be misled by the minimal damage to your car. People react much differently than glass, plastic and metal!

It started with a routine trip to the store.

Suddenly you hear a screeching of tires and the harsh sound of metal hitting metal. In the split second before you can brace yourself, you feel your car moving from some unseen force!

Hidden Damage

It’s tempting to minimize your own injuries because your car has sustained little or no damage. Research shows that occupants can be injured considerably more than what you’d expect from a dented fender or a broken taillight.

The Medical Solution

If you visit the emergency room, you may be given a clean bill of health because you don’t have any broken bones. You might get a prescription to reduce the muscle spasms caused by structural changes in your neck or lower back.

You don’t have a drug shortage! After what you've been through, you'll need a health professional that truly understands soft tissue injuries, spinal biomechanics and rehabilitation strategies. Call our office.

We Can Help

Whether it was a little incident in the parking lot, or two cars attempting to occupy the same space in an intersection, you need people who know how to work with lawyers and insurance companies.

If you’ve been in a car accident, give us a call. We’ve been through this many times. Not only can we usually offer drug-free relief, we can help put this behind you once and for all.

Common Questions

Q: Why do I have pain in my arms and hands?

A: Because the nerves to the arms and hands exit the spine through the injured area of the neck, numbness and tingling are common. Even lower back pain can result directly from the trauma, or as a reaction to the loss of proper spinal curves.

Q: Why did my headaches start more than a week after my accident?

A: Whether you’ve been in an accident, stressed at work, or over-exerted yourself in the garden, your body is constantly adapting to the environment. When your capacity to adapt is exhausted, symptoms can appear. This can take days, weeks, months or years to occur.

Q: Will I ever be normal again?

A: Many chiropractic patients report restored spinal curves and an end to their symptoms. Those who delay seeking appropriate care often discover that scar tissue and spinal instability requires periodic chiropractic checkups.

Dr. Kevin Dette is the clinic director at Pacific Family Chiropractic located in Downtown Vista. To schedule an appointment Call 760-643-9191

Do You Have a Pinched Nerve?

Vista California Chiropractor Comments:

Pinched Nerve

It's called a pinched nerve because that's what it feels like. But there's a lot more going on!

There are pairs of opening between each spinal bone.]

Like an open window, nerve openings along your spine must be clear and unobstructed.

The 24 moving bones of your spine protect your spinal cord while permitting normal turning and bending. Pairs of nerve roots, one on each side, branch off your spinal cord at each segmental level to service the organs and tissues of your body. When these openings are unobstructed, your brain can properly control and regulate your body.

When a spinal bone is malpositioned, it can encroach upon these important nerve openings. Nerve irritation can result. We call that a subluxation.

Two Types

When spinal bones lose their normal motion or position, it can cause one of two types of nerve disturbances:

• Compressed lesion - This is just a fancy name for a pinched nerve. What surprises many is that it's actually quite rare. More common is a...
  
  
• Facilitative lesion - This is when the nerve root is stretched, twisted or chafed. Think: hard tissue rubbing on soft tissue.

But remember, bones are static structures. They don’t move unless muscles move them. And muscles don’t move bones unless commanded by the nervous system. An irritated nerve creates a vicious loop. Our job is to locate these areas of your spine and reduce their impact on your nervous system.

A Precise Nudge

A thorough examination helps us identify areas of your spine where spinal bones are stuck and not moving correctly. Then, we give them a precise little nudge called a chiropractic adjustment. Your body uses this energy to “right itself” as nerve irritation is reduced.

Because chiropractic addresses the integrity of your nervous system, it’s a natural solution to many health problems. Give us a call.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How long does it take for nerve irritation to be reduced?
A: Some patients experience almost instant relief. Others discover it can take many weeks or months. Many factors can affect the healing process. How long have you had your problem? Are you keeping your appointments? Are you getting the proper rest, exercise and nutrition? Do you smoke? Are you in otherwise good condition? Within a short period, most patients sense enough progress to justify completing our recommendations.

Some patients experience almost instant relief. Others discover it can take many weeks or months. Many factors can affect the healing process. How long have you had your problem? Are you keeping your appointments? Are you getting the proper rest, exercise and nutrition? Do you smoke? Are you in otherwise good condition? Within a short period, most patients sense enough progress to justify completing our recommendations.

Q: What about my friend who only needed one visit?
A: It’s true there are rare instances in which a single visit can produce the pain relief that many patients seek. However, the effect is usually short lived. Because underlying muscles and soft tissues have not been strengthened and retrained, a relapse often occurs. Our experience has found that when patients begin chiropractic care as adults, they have considerable structural and functional damage from years of neglect. A single “miracle” adjustment rarely produces permanent change.

Q:

It’s true there are rare instances in which a single visit can produce the pain relief that many patients seek. However, the effect is usually short lived. Because underlying muscles and soft tissues have not been strengthened and retrained, a relapse often occurs. Our experience has found that when patients begin chiropractic care as adults, they have considerable structural and functional damage from years of neglect. A single “miracle” adjustment rarely produces permanent change.

Why not just take some muscle relaxers instead?
A: We don’t dispense drugs of any kind. Muscle relaxers and even the most common over-the-counter pain medications fail on two counts. Sure they’re convenient, but they don’t correct the underlying cause of your problem. (What is actually causing the muscle to spasm?) Virtually every drug produces side effects. Which is a fancy way of saying they produce unwanted effects. These can include kidney failure, liver damage, addiction and even death.

Dr. Kevin Dette is the clinic director at Pacific Family Chiropractic located in Downtown Vista. To schedule an appointment Call 760-643-9191

Neck Pain

Vista California Chiropractor Comments:

Neck Pain

Imagine balancing a 12 lb. (5.5 kg.) bowling ball on the tips of your fingers.

All day long.

That’s just one of many things your neck must do. Your neck and shoulders work hard. Even the smallest deviation in the relationships of the seven bones of your cervical spine (neck) can cause pain and reduced head and neck mobility.

Ever meet someone who was a pain-in-the-neck?

Your neck is one of the most nerve-rich areas of your spine. Problems here can cause problems throughout your body.

Minor and Major

Generally, we see two types of neck pain cases. Minor neck and shoulder pain involve sensations of discomfort, stiffness or soreness. If these symptoms last for more than a day or so, occur frequently or were preceded by an accident or some type of injury, we consider it major.

Response to Stress

Physical, emotional or chemical stress can affect the frequency and severity of neck pain. For many of us, the neck and shoulders are the “weakest link in the chain” and so stress shows up here.

Often, emotional stress is the overlooked culprit. Ever hear of something being a “pain in the neck”? Fear, anger or frustration can trigger the tightening of our neck muscles without our even being conscious. In time, chronic muscle spasms set in. Which can lead to headaches.

Some over-the-counter pain reliever might dull the pain, but it ignores the underlying cause!

Consult Our Office

We see this sort of thing all the time. It’s almost routine. “Chiropractic care has a history of producing excellent results with those suffering from neck pain. And we do it naturally, without drugs or surgery.

We get great results with many types of neck pain.

Stress will often show up first in your neck. Chiropractic care may help.

At Pacific Family Chiropractic we specialize in reducing interference to the nervous system in the neck. Many of our patients find that chiropractic care gives them relief from both minor and major neck and shoulder complaints.

Call our office or email Dr. Dette with your question using the link below. Schedule a no-obligation consultation and find out if you’re a good candidate for today’s safe and natural chiropractic care.

Dr. Kevin Dette is the clinic director at Pacific Family Chiropractic located in Downtown Vista. To schedule an appointment Call 760-643-9191.

Suffering From Headaches?

Vista Chiropractor Comments:

Headaches

Spilled bottle of aspirin

While drugs often reduce symptoms, chiropractic care addresses the underlying cause of many types of headaches.

Headaches are common, but they're not normal.

Drug Culture

While convenient, drugs that numb your nervous system have side effects, such as kidney failure or liver damage. Worse, they don’t actually correct the underlying cause of the headache.

Hidden Cause

A common cause of headaches is from spinal bones in the neck that aren’t supporting the head properly. You might not notice your reduced ability to turn your head. But these subluxations affect nerves, muscles and even the blood supply to your head.

Our thorough examination detects subluxation patterns that could be causing your headaches. If subluxations are present, you’re likely to benefit from chiropractic care.

Compensation Reaction

Some are surprised to learn that their headaches are being caused by problems in their lower back! The upper spine compensates, shifting the head off center, causing headaches.

While we can’t guarantee results we have a high success rate with patients who get headaches. Give us a call. Let's sit down and discuss your unique situation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Is the spine the source of all headaches?
A: Not necessarily. The three most common causes are physical trauma, emotional stress or chemical toxins. Sometimes there may be a combination of factors. Our examination process helps identify the most likely cause.

Not necessarily. The three most common causes are physical trauma, emotional stress or chemical toxins. Sometimes there may be a combination of factors. Our examination process helps identify the most likely cause.

Q: What causes subluxations?
A:There are three basic causes of subluxations. Physical causes could include slips and falls, accidents, repetitive motions, and improper lifting. Emotions, such as stress, anger and fear can cause of subluxations. Chemical causes could include alcohol, drugs, preservatives, pollution and poor diet.

There are three basic causes of subluxations. Physical causes could include slips and falls, accidents, repetitive motions, and improper lifting. Emotions, such as stress, anger and fear can cause of subluxations. Chemical causes could include alcohol, drugs, preservatives, pollution and poor diet.

Q:I was told it was “all in my head.” Now what?
A: The pain you feel is real. And psychological sources of pain are common. However, this “diagnosis” is often the last resort of health practitioners who have exhausted their possible explanations of the cause of your problem. In these cases, we’ve often found that undetected subluxations are likely culprits.

The pain you feel is real. And psychological sources of pain are common. However, this “diagnosis” is often the last resort of health practitioners who have exhausted their possible explanations of the cause of your problem. In these cases, we’ve often found that undetected subluxations are likely culprits.

Q: How many visits will it take?
A:Some patients enjoy results quickly. Others notice a slow decline in their symptoms after several weeks or longer of chiropractic care. It’s impossible to predict. If you’ve had chronic headaches for many years, improvement can take time. We monitor your progress and modify our recommendations as needed.

Some patients enjoy results quickly. Others notice a slow decline in their symptoms after several weeks or longer of chiropractic care. It’s impossible to predict. If you’ve had chronic headaches for many years, improvement can take time. We monitor your progress and modify our recommendations as needed.

Q: What if chiropractic care doesn’t help?
A: If we’re unable to find and correct the cause of your particular health problem, we will refer to other experts who may be able to help. Your health and your satisfaction are our only goal.

If we’re unable to find and correct the cause of your particular health problem, we will refer to other experts who may be able to help. Your health and your satisfaction are our only goal.

Q: How come my medical doctor didn’t suggest chiropractic?

A: That’s changing. Years of prejudice and bias are giving way to research showing the benefits of chiropractic care. Attitudes are slow to change. However, as the public demands alternatives to drugs and surgery, more and more medical practitioners are referring to chiropractic doctors.

Dr. Kevin Dette is the clinic director at Pacific Family Chiropractic located in Downtown Vista. To schedule an appointment Call 760-643-9191.