Mind-Body Connection Alert!

There's loads of studies that show how your posture affects how others think about you, but here's a new twist...this study connects POSTURE to how strongly you believe thoughts about yourself...

From the study:

"Sitting up straight in your chair isn't just good for your posture - it also gives you more confidence in your own thoughts, according to a new study.

Researchers found that people who were told to sit up straight were more likely to believe thoughts they wrote down while in that posture concerning whether they were qualified for a job.

On the other hand, those who were slumped over their desks were less likely to accept these written-down feelings about their own qualifications.

The results show how our body posture can affect not only what others think about us, but also how we think about ourselves, said Richard Petty, co-author of the study and professor of psychology at Ohio State University.

"Most of us were taught that sitting up straight gives a good impression to other people," Petty said. "But it turns out that our posture can also affect how we think about ourselves. If you sit up straight, you end up convincing yourself by the posture you're in."

Read the complete article here:

http://www.brainmysteries.com/research/Study_Body_posture_affects_confidence_in_your_own_thoughts.asp

At Wise Chiropractic and Wellness in Spartanburg, we are relentless at improving the quality of your life!

To improve your posture and your mind-body connection, Call us at  Wise Chiropractic at (864) 585-5558 Pronto!

Wise Chiropractic Represented at the MS Biketober Ride!

Last weekend, our resident fitness and exercise guru, Dr. Todd Riddle headed out to Greenville to volunteer his services to the riders of this important charity event.

Todd is still exhausted, after working with over 100 grateful riders during this 2-day, 150 mile ride.

Here he is after adjusting the whole Blue Cross Blue Shield Bike Team.  And no, he wasn't trying to get special treatment for us down with the home office in Columbia.

Or was he..... :)

Depression Can Lead To Back Pain

(Feb. 27, 2004) — It is well documented that physical pain can lead to feelings of depression, but a new study from the University of Alberta shows the reverse can be true, as well.

Dr. Linda Carroll, a professor in the U of A Department of Public Health Sciences, led the study that shows depression is a risk factor for onset of severe neck and low back pain. The study is published in the journal Pain. Carroll and her colleagues followed a random sample of nearly 800 adults without neck and low back pain and found that people who suffer from depression are four times as likely to develop intense or disabling neck and low back pain than those who are not depressed.

"We've known for a long time that pain can lead to depression, and now we're finding that each is a risk for the other," Carroll said. "Both conditions are recurrent, that is, they can both come and go; and both are very common--in fact, only 20 per cent of the population has not experienced any neck or low back pain in the past six months--so it's important to try to deal with these conditions before they become troublesome and lead to a vicious cycle."

There are two broad ways people can cope with pain, Carroll said. One is to be passive, which entails such things as withdrawing from activities because of the pain or wishing for better pain medication. The other is to be active, which entails getting exercise and staying busy, for example.

"We're wondering if depression leads people to cope passively when they experience the kinds of mild pain episodes that most of us are periodically subject to. This in turn may increase the likelihood that pain will become a problem in someone's life."

Dr Nick here... this makes perfect sense, doesn't it? There is no separation at all between the health of your mind and body, so of course a problem in either can manifest in either. But one thing we know, passive coping with pain and/or depression is usually not the best route. Ask your doctor (of chiropractic) to help you design the best ACTIVE care for you. Both mind and body will get better faster...

Good Vibrations: Aging Bones May Benefit From A Good Shaking

Since we offer Whole Body Vibration Exercise at Wise Chiropractic, here's an article I found about some of the benefits...

ScienceDaily (Feb. 20, 2007) — While running and jumping are some of the best ways to maintain or improve bone strength and help prevent fractures, they aren't the safest activities for the frail, elderly or physically impaired. 

Dr Belinda Beck, senior lecturer at Griffith University's School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, said there was some evidence that low intensity loading performed at a sufficiently high frequency may also improve bone mass. 

She has recently received funding to test the effects of a whole body vibration device -- a platform that participants stand on while it vibrates at up to 30 cycles per second. "Bone generally responds to exercise that is high intensity but older people can't do that without the risk of hurting themselves. We need a stimulus that is effective on bone but does not cause damage." 

Dr Beck said the device was originally designed to enhance muscle strength in athletes as the vibration forces muscles to contract more. It was also likely to help improve balance. 

"Whole body vibration offers an opportunity to improve bone strength, muscle strength and balance -- three of the known risk factors for hip fractures in the elderly." The vibration device will be installed in a retirement village on the Gold Coast, providing easy access for women over 65 years of age who choose to participate in the study. 

Osteoporosis-related fractures are most common in older women, particularly those with other risk factors such as low body weight, a history of low calcium intake, and little or no physical activity. 

"This is a simple, low intensity alternative that is perfect for people who can't do more strenuous physical activity," Dr Beck said. 

Somewhere Bruce Lipton is laughing...and/or crying

Or maybe a combination of hysterical laughing/crying...

Here is an article, released today, that essentially says what cellular biologist Bruce Lipton has been saying for years: our genes are not the primary controllers of our destiny, but are themselves controlled by signals from the environment: i.e. what we eat, what we think, how we move, etc... But OF COURSE they HAVE to mention the great new drug therapies they can come up with to exploit this research, blah blah blah. Yes, it makes perfect sense in one sentence to say that our genes are controlled by "what we eat or how active we are", and in the next sentence to say that this can possibly be the basis for a revolutionary new drug treatment...

Dynamic Changes In DNA Linked To Human Diabetes

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090901122627.htm

ScienceDaily (2009-09-02) -- New research may give new meaning to the adage "You are what you eat." The DNA isolated from the muscles of people with diabetes bears chemical marks not found in those who respond normally to rising blood sugar levels, according to the study. The epigenetic marks in question are specifically found on a gene that controls the amount of fuel, in the form of glucose or lipids, that cells burn.

Select quotes from article (italics added):

--"Those changes rapidly reprogram the gene's activity without altering the underlying DNA sequence at all. They suggest a way that environmental factors—what we eat or how active we are—may perhaps influence our genes, for better or for worse."

{Wow! What does this mean for the billions spent on the human genome project?}

--"It's a much more dynamic process than we thought," Zierath said. "The genetic causes of diabetes are important, but this shows us that epigenetic changes, which take place on top of our genes, can alter our physiology in critical ways."

{Yay! Keep going!}

----"The researchers say they don't yet know whether these epigenetic changes are reversible, but they do have evidence that they might be prevented."

{Prevention? Really?}

--"In a broader sense, the discovery shows that we are not "victims of our genes," she adds. "It's exciting because there may be ways for us to lower disease risk if physical activity or other lifestyle factors can positively influence our epigenome and improve metabolism."

{ How brave to admit this in public! Tell us more!}

--"There's room for this in terms of drug discovery," Zierath said.

{Doh!}

Um... why not focus on changing the "signals from the environment?"

Just a thought...

From Dr. Todd

Hello everyone!

I am truly excited about being on board at Wise Chiropractic and Wellness.  Aside from the great care that is already being given, I am hoping to add a few more tricks to our "bag".  With my background in sports and rehab, we are going full speed ahead with implementing a sports chiropractic component, therapeutic rehabilitation, and even fitness and nutrition.  Our hope is to serve our present patients even better, while attracting new ones with the new services!  Imagine, a one-stop shop for wellness....

I look forward to seeing you!

Dr. Todd Riddle

Mid Summer at Wise Chiro

Hey folks.

As you have seen, things around the office have changed a bit in the last few weeks! The painting is finally done-- well most of it anyway-- and the spa room is almost completely set up now, so we're all excited to have massage back in-office again. Hooray! And, of course, one of the biggest changes is the presence of a Dr. Todd Riddle... You know, the big guy who's been hanging around for the last 6 months? Well, it's official-- he's on board and the newest crew member. Be gentle on him.

Will keep you updated on new services, new hours and everything else exciting that's happening soon.

Yours in health,

Dr. Nick