Make This the Year of Better Sleep

 Bottom Line:

Most of us know someone who doesn’t have the best sleeping patterns. Not surprisingly, many of us think of ourselves when this topic comes up because we’re all too familiar with the fatigue, brain fog, and worn-down feeling that comes with missing out on a good night’s sleep, especially during the holidays. However, by committing to a consistent sleep schedule and staying well-adjusted, you can set the groundwork for keeping your energy up and keeping your body performing at its best.  

Why it Matters:

Sleep plays a significant role in your overall health. Did you know that chronic sleep deficiency has been linked to obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic fatigue syndrome, and more?! In fact, your sleep patterns directly contribute to your overall physical and mental energy levels and the overall function of your immune system. When you enter that sleeping state, your brain and central nervous system are hard at work preparing you for the next day. It makes sense then that lack of sleep is often tied to those physical ailments mentioned previously, as well as a decrease in your immune system’s ability to fight common infections. The good news? Getting just 7-8 hours per night will allow your body to feel and function better.

•       Getting enough sleep will help you feel more energised and experience less fatigue.

•       Lack of sleep has been linked to obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and more.

•       Consistently getting 7-8 hours of sleep may reduce your likelihood of getting sick.

Next Steps:

Set aside some time to unwind each night. Indulge in a chapter of that new bestseller or simply get comfy, close your eyes, and drift off with some calming music or your favourite meditation audio. If muscle tension, spasms, or pain are keeping you up at night, please let us know. We would be honoured to create a specific care plan to help you get the most out of your precious hours of rest. Just give us a call!

Science Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. June 7, 2017, Harvard Health Publishing. January 2006

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Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings and Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 10 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).

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New Year Less Stress

Bottom Line:

Did you know that recent studies indicate that over 54% of people are stressed by the amount of stress in their lives? That’s a lot of stress! Stress in our shoulders. Stress in our neck. It’s no secret that muscle tension in those areas can contribute to headaches and neck and back pain. What you may not know, however, is that chronic stress can decrease your energy levels, increasing you’re the likelihood that you’ll experience irritability, illness, and even depression. Hold on – there’s good news on the other side of that coin! There are, in fact, some very simple ways that you can begin to dramatically lower your stress levels and boost your energy levels. Keep reading...

 Why it Matters:

The first and best way to improve your overall health and happiness is motion. We know we are built to move. We know we’re not meant to be sedentary creatures, and improving our spinal motion, or segmental motion, is one the ways that Chiropractic adjustments can specifically help you move and feel better. How? Studies have shown that Chiropractic care can significantly reduce that nagging muscle tension in the shoulders, positively impacting your pain and stress levels and your range of motion. Researchers observed: 

·       A bilateral reduction in cervical muscle tension following a Chiropractic adjustment.

·       Metabolic changes in the brain and skeletal muscles, as well as reductions in subjective pain, muscle tension following a Chiropractic adjustment.

Next Steps:

Get active. Get adjusted. And, if you know someone who gets predictably sick or stressed every year around the holidays, show them you care and share this research with them. You may just be able to help them have a happier and healthier holiday season!

Science Source:

Glucose Metabolic Changes in the Brain and Muscles of Patients with Nonspecific Neck Pain Treated by Spinal Manipulation Therapy, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2017. Article ID 4345703, Central Motor Excitability Changes After Spinal Manipulation: A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Volume 25. Number 1. January 2002 Stress in America Survey. American Psychological Association. 2010

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Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 6 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).

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Boost Your Energy This Year

Bottom Line:

Fact: a simple 10-15 minute walk can be all it takes to help you feel more energized. That’s right. The key to boosting your energy is staying active! Studies have shown that even moderate exercise that gets your blood pumping and that oxygen flowing can increase your energy levels. And that’s not all…

Why it Matters:

 Moderate exercise does more than just help train the heart to work more efficiently. Keeping active also promotes the release of endorphins in your body, which makes you feel happier overall and can even help you sleep better. What’s more, your immune system can also function better with consistent exercise, which reduces your likelihood of getting sick. Combine all that with Chiropractic care and you may be well on your way to staying healthy and energized all year long.

·       A simple 10-15 minute walk can improve your energy level by over 20%.

·       Regular exercise may help you sleep better and minimize your likelihood of getting sick.

·       Exercise releases endorphins, helping you feel more energized and happier.

Next Steps:

 Make a plan. Start today by picking out just 3 days this week to take a 10-15 minute walk. Be sure to add it to your schedule or to set recurring reminders on your smartphone to help you stick with it. And of course, be sure to stop in and see us! Chiropractic care may be able to help keep you pain-free so you can maximize your efforts.

Science Source: Sports Med. Endorphins and exercise. 1984, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. February 2008

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Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 6 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).

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Feeling Great this Holiday Season

Bottom Line:

The holidays often bring plenty of cheer…and a healthy dose of seasonal stress. Between the travel, parties, and shopping, there are a lot of demands placed on your time, your mind, and your body, and all this commotion can result in muscle spasms and the reoccurrence of familiar aches and pains. For many people, these aches show up in two distinct areas - the low back and the neck and shoulders. Sound familiar? 

Why it Matters:

Nagging low back or neck pain during the holidays can quickly turn into a flare-up that can sideline your holiday plans and pile on the frustration and stress. It’s a vicious cycle, but by making a few smart decisions now, you can position yourself to have a pain-free holiday season. Here are a few key holiday health facts to remember: 

- Stress and fatigue can lead to the re-emergence of familiar aches and pains.

- Research has shown that Chiropractic adjustments can help decrease both pain and muscle tension. 

- Staying on track with your care plan will help ensure that you are moving and feeling great this holiday season. 

Next Steps: 

We understand that the holidays are busy, but don’t let give you an excuse to put off self-care! Health and happiness go hand in hand, and your health is our top priority. By staying well-adjusted this holiday season, you’ll give your body the best opportunity to stay pain-free and yourself the best opportunity to start the new year off right. Be proactive and give us a call to schedule your next adjustment so you can be ready for family and festivities!

Science Source: 

Mechanism of action of spinal manipulative therapy. Joint Bone Spine. 2003

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Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 6 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).

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Everybody experiences stress - job stress, family stress, financial stress, physical stress, holiday stress - and we may not like to admit it, but stress can impact our health.