Sarpy Chiropractic Blog

You have probably seen and heard the new trend of trading in the seat in the cubicle for a standing desk. Well, is it really worth it? As human beings we are built to move, not be sedentary. Yes our diets are greatly contributing to the massive surge in obesity in the western world throughout the last generation, but our lack of movement is just as important. Modern life is just too comfortable. We sit way too much! And, after sitting all day staring at a computer, we don't have the time or the energy to work out when we get home, so we sit again for a few hours, watch TV, go to bed, and repeat. So, what is the solution - should we all go to our boss and demand a standing desk? The answer is yes, but with some caveats! Standing will burn way more calories than sitting. However, if you go from sitting all day to suddenly standing all day without starting in smaller increments then expect some back and foot pain while your body builds up the stamina and muscle power. Al...

If you have ever suffered from plantar fasciitis then you would know that it can be extremely painful, is very hard to heal from, can completely disrupt your life, and can last for a very long time! If you suffer from this debilitating condition, what can you do to fix it? Unfortunately many people are told of the "one magic bullet" that will miraculously heal it, but are then left disappointed when they are still suffering 2 years later! Like almost all health conditions, plantar fasciitis is not caused by just one thing - there are always a combination of things that are behind this awful pain, and  to get the fastest resolution you need to address all of these causes! So, what is plantar fasciitis? It is a very painful inflammatory reaction in the fascia on the bottom of your foot - kind of like a tendonitis, but just a different type of tissue that connects the heel bone to your toes - that gets worse first thing in the morning after you have been off your feet ...

What are the differences between a fixed and growth mindset, and should we care? YES! Knowing which mindset you fit into and becoming aware of how to change your belief system around it can be the key to all the success and happiness you desire! Someone with a Fixed Mindset: Believes we are born with fixed amounts of intelligence and ability, and nothing can be done to change it e.g. "I am either born with the ability, or I am not!" Suffers from "all-or-nothing" thinking e.g. one mistake means I am a failure. Believes that self-esteem and self worth needs to be based on other people's approval. Thinks that if we are good at something, success should come easy, so if something is difficult then it isn't worth trying. Usually have difficulty coping with criticism and set-backs, and will almost always avoid trying anything new or risky. You can probably already start to see where this belief could limit your ability to grow and achieve? And the ...

According to researcher and author Carol Dweck, there are 2 types of mindsets (or beliefs about ourselves). The growth mindset , and the fixed mindset . How do you know which one you fall into? Well, ask yourself these 10 questions , and next week we will reveal what the answers mean and explain both mindsets and how you can use them to your advantage. Do you believe: You are either born with talent, or you're not?  That the majority of successful people are lucky, or born with the right genetics, or born into the right family? There is such a thing as a child prodigy? That no matter how much you practice, there's just certain things you will NEVER be good at? That if you are good at something then success should come easily? That you should always try to avoid criticism? That if you find something difficult, you are probably just not talented enough to succeed at it? The more you fail at something, the less likely that you will ever achieve it?...

Is there anything you can do to prevent ear infections before they start? Absolutely! Nutrition is actually the number one thing you can change to prevent ear infections as the vast majority are triggered by some kind of food allergy or intolerance. Start by avoiding sugars (especially soda) and fruit juices  (unless it is a fresh organic juice you have made yourself!) as much as possible. Sugar destroys our immune systems more than anything else we eat! Avoid pasteurized milk . Consumption of any dairy products, but especially pasteurized dairy is one of the biggest potential culprits for many kids. If your child is suffering from recurrent and chronic ear infections, cut back on all wheat and gluten . Gluten intolerance has been found as a major factor in chronic ear infections. Decrease their exposure to second hand smoke , as this has also been strongly linked to an increase in ear infections. Breast-feeding for at least 6 months has been linked to fewer...

What can you do if your child already has a full blown ear infection? Do you have no other choice but to use antibiotics? Antibiotics are necessary in a few cases when an infection has become too severe. However, as long as the infection hasn't already perforated the ear drum, there is actually a lot you can do with safer options. And, even the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends letting a child fight the ear infection for 72 hours before administering antibiotics (which in most cases won't help anyway as the majority of ear infections are caused by viruses ). Antibiotics also come with some nasty side-effects such as nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea and rashes. Also, the more you use antibiotics, the more resistant all of the bacteria on and in your body becomes to them. You can actually make your own natural ear drops by crushing a clove of fresh raw garlic and dissolving it in some olive oil. Then using a dropper to administer, put a few drops of the oil ...

Can you help recurrent ear infections without drugs or surgery? The answer is YES , as long as the cause is found and addressed Ear infections can only occur if these 2 things are present: Fluid not draining properly from the ear canal, and a weakened immune system (food allergies included). They are more common in babies than adults because the ear canal of a baby is more horizontal than that of an adult, and thus they don't drain as easily. And, like anywhere in nature, stagnant fluid is a breeding ground for viruses and microbes! Also, 80-90% of babies suffer some kind of neck trauma when born, and so they are more prone to problems with their neck and the nervous system in that area. How can a Pediatric Chiropractor help? A Chiropractic adjustment will do 2 things: 1. By very gently releasing the nerve pressure in the neck, it will improve the nervous system control of all the muscles that sit near the Eustachian tube, allowing better drainage of the ears and sin...