By Dr. Emily Smith, Smith & Prissel Chiropractic and Massage
As winter approaches, maintaining health and supporting the immune system is of the utmost importance. It truly is easier to STAY well, then it is to GET well. For many, chiropractic care is an integral part of keeping the family healthy. Here are some simple things that you can do to get on track and “fall” into health.
What you put in your body matters. Make sure you flood your body with healthy food and lots of water. Bodies are like plants: we need to have food and water every day in order to survive and thrive. Just like plants wilt in the summer heat, bodies show thirst with symptoms of headaches, body aches and sluggishness. Ideally you should be drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water each day (eg. if you weigh 100 pounds, you should be drinking 50 ounces of water each day). Split up your water consumption throughout the day so you aren’t trying to make up for it at the end of the day. Remember that caffeine dehydrates, so if you consume caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc), drink that much more water to offset it. Dehydration doesn’t just affect how we feel, it can also affect how our immune system functions. Water helps to get oxygen to every cell in our body and flush all the toxins out of those same cells.
Along with colder weather, the fall also brings a less intense sun. Though extended sun exposure can be harsh on skin, the benefit of exposure to UV rays is production of vitamin D. Without the availability to make our own vitamin D, it is important during the winter months to supplement with a high quality vitamin D3. Vitamin D is actually a hormone, and it is required for the absorption of calcium from the gut in order to promote bone health. Vitamin D has also been found to play a huge role in immune system functionality.
The benefit of exercise is something we take for granted. Moving your body can help increase oxygen throughout, as well as raise the body temperature and kill off any visiting bacteria or viruses lying in wait. Working your muscles helps to move the lymph thru the body as well, getting rid of toxins that could otherwise lead to illness. Exercise can also improve your mood and ward off the winter blues. If you don’t feel comfortable hitting the gym, there are tons of videos online to keep your workout consistent from home.
Chiropractic care is also an extremely important part of our wellness journey. Chiropractic focuses on the alignment of the spine through specific adjustments that can improve communication between the nervous system and immune system. Doctors of Chiropractic are trained in health and wellness and can provide a wealth of suggestions for keeping you healthy.
BJ Palmer, the developer of chiropractic, stated “Medicine is the study of disease and what causes man to die. Chiropractic is the study of health and what allows man to live.” For the last 125 years, chiropractors have been doing just that, an integral part of strengthening the body to suit the environment. There are a lot of things we don’t have control over in our environment, but making sure that our nervous system is functioning optimally is something that we can do with the help of consistent chiropractic care.
Dr. Emily Smith has been practicing Chiropractic in the Chippewa Valley for the last 20 years. Her specialty is in Chiropractic Pediatrics and Pregnancy, though she loves caring for patients of all ages. You can find her at Smith & Prissel Chiropractic and Massage at 829 W. Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire and her satellite office at 1421 N. Broadway, Menomonie. Call 715-833-3505 to schedule, look for us on Facebook or visit www.myECchiroandmassage.com to learn more.