Grand Strand Health & Wellness - December 2020

December 2020

843-357-9355 | GrandStrandChiropractic.com

REMEMBERING THE GOOD TIMES TOGETHER

In the Wake of Loss Like many families, time with extended family was a big part of the holiday season when I was growing up. My parents, siblings, and I would always travel to wherever all my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were living, which made for a pretty big gathering. Usually around 50 of us would come together.

is probably going to feel a lot different. I’m currently writing this newsletter from the home of one of my aunts in North Carolina, after my cousin, her oldest son, tragically passed away just days ago. So, even though

these next few months are sure to be hard for everyone, I hope we can lean on one another during this upcoming Christmas season. While in any other year I would want my kids to have a shot at the same family time I enjoyed so much growing up, gathering as a family could look a little different this year. We already had to cancel our Easter plans with my mom back in April, and we didn’t get to do the annual cookout at my uncle’s house during the summer, either. Because of COVID-19, we might end up just having a holiday at home and calling everyone on Zoom. It’s certainly not ideal, but whatever happens, we’ll make it work.

A highlight of those massive family gatherings for me, whether during the Christmas season or any other time we all got together throughout the year, was the time I got to spend with my cousins. We would spend our days fishing, playing any game that included a ball of some sort, playing cards, having sleepovers, and doing whatever else we managed to find to keep ourselves busy. That time with family was honestly invaluable.

Even as we all grew up, moved away from home, pursued careers, and started families, we cousins still found opportunities to get together. Back in 1996, my mom and dad moved back to where most of my mom’s family was living in North Carolina. It was around the time that my dad started having some health issues, so moving closer to family was important to my mom for emotional support. Some of my cousins were contractors at that point, following in my grandfather’s footsteps, and they decided to give my mom and dad the most ideal living experience possible. So, they gathered a bunch of us cousins and other family members together to help build them a home, which was a pretty neat experience to say the least!

No matter how uncertain this upcoming holiday season is, I know one thing: With God at the center of our family, we’ll be able to find peace. In everything we do, our faith keeps us grounded, comforts us, and brings us all together, even if we’re hurting and grieving, or we’re all far apart.

To all of you reading this, I hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. God bless!

Over the years, our family’s holiday gatherings have naturally changed. This year, however, for reasons even beyond the pandemic, Christmas

–Dr. Chris Garner

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CELEBRATING FRED FROST

Grand Strand’s Patient of the Month

If there’s anyone who proves that proper chiropractic care is an essential part of continuing activities you love and supporting your overall holistic health, it’s Fred Frost. Fred is a retired English teacher who lives in the Pawleys Island area with his wife. He has one daughter, who is currently a senior at the College of Charleston. Fred loves getting outdoors to go bike riding, canoeing, fishing, and walking on the beach. In addition to those activities, he’s also an avid weightlifter at his local gym. When Fred’s lower back pain started keeping him from all the things he loved doing, he found Grand Strand Health and Wellness after a quick internet research. Since first discovering us, he’s been a patient for several years, and he regularly makes appointments for wellness visits and back massages. These appointments help him stay in shape and ready for any activity. Also, like so many of our other dedicated patients, Fred has also referred us to many of his friends and family members. Thank you, Fred! Aside from his favorite pastimes, Fred is also very active at our patient appreciation day events. He’s an incredibly talented musician, and you can usually hear him strumming a guitar and singing the oldies from center stage. When Fred visits us for appointments, you can also hear him singing along with the oldies playing over our speaker system.

We’re so grateful to have a patient like Fred who recognizes how vital it is to have chiropractic care as a part of his health and fitness routine. He makes sure others know how vital it is, too. If you’re ever looking for tips on good fishing spots in the area, the best places to go for a leisurely stroll, or the best place to receive chiropractic care, be sure to ask Fred.

Physical Therapy Before Surgery?

Physical therapy has become a common part of most post-surgery rehabilitation routines. However, did you know that going through physical therapy prior to your surgery can benefit your recovery process as well? Strange as it might sound, strengthening your muscles and joints before surgery — after which they’ll most certainly be weaker — can ensure that you recover faster. This is called “prehabilitation,” or prehab, and it’s a great way to help you get back to doing what you love after an operation. In general, the healthier you are going into a surgery, the better poised you will be to have a speedy recovery. When you visit our office for prehab appointments, one of our physical therapists can walk you through a series of stretches and exercises focused on strengthening the body part prior to surgery. Prehab exercises benefit your overall health and help reduce post- surgery symptoms, like swelling and muscular

atrophy. This can also help shorten your hospital stay and decrease the time you spend doing post-surgery rehab. During prehab, our physical therapists can help you prepare to do daily activities post- surgery, such as maneuvering out of bed, using the toilet, walking down stairs, and using crutches. Since your PT will know your current range of motion, they can also help you create goals to get back to it during your recovery. The recovery process can be tedious and frustrating, so it’s helpful to have some goals in mind. Doing so will help you track your progress and stay motivated in your recovery. It should also be noted that, while not incredibly common, sometimes prehab can be so effective that it eliminates the need for surgery altogether. As physical therapists, it’s our goal to help our patients get back to doing what they love by any noninvasive means possible. Sometimes surgery is necessary, and that’s okay — but if you could recover without surgery, wouldn’t you try?

In order to get the most out of your prehabilitation routine, most health experts recommend starting prehab appointments with a physical therapist at least six weeks before your scheduled surgery. However, starting a prehab routine even two weeks before your surgery can benefit you in recovery. While prehab is beneficial, it’s important to know that not every insurance program will cover it. So, check with your insurance provider before you start. Nevertheless, the benefits of prehabilitation make it an option worth seriously considering.

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Celebrating Dr. Luis Ramos

Grand Strand’s Team Owner of the Month

Whether he’s treating you or just taking a few minutes to answer your questions,

of Chiropractic in Marietta, Georgia, to earn his doctorate of chiropractic. Then, after completing his internship at United Chiropractic Center in Atlanta, he served as a member of the world-renowned Sweat Institute of Atlas Orthogonal in

to learn more and more about how patients can achieve a healthier lifestyle. He continues to conduct research studies on all sorts of topics related to health, mindfulness, proper nutrition and supplementation, treatment of headaches, neuropathy, and radiculopathy. Whatever he’s studying, or whoever he is treating, you can expect Dr. Luis’ passion for chiropractic to take hold of him every time. Dr. Luis lives in Murrells Inlet with his wife and daughter, and they are expecting their second child soon. When he’s not in the office, Dr. Luis spends his time with them or partaking in one of his many favorite activities, such as hiking, paddleboarding, reading, or taking his dogs to the dog park. And, as is the case with anyone who lives around here, you also have a good chance of finding him with his family at the beach, too!

you can feel Dr. Luis’ caring nature and compassion. As this month’s Team Owner of the Month, we want

to celebrate Dr. Luis for his commitment to helping everyone live their happiest and healthiest lives. Dr. Luis grew up in Puerto Rico and is fluent in both Spanish and English.

Bufford, Georgia, before moving to

Goose Creek, South Carolina, to work for Healthy 4 Life.

In short, Dr. Luis has a wealth of expertise, and we’re incredibly fortunate he has chosen to share it with our patients

He graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a bachelor of science degree in biomedical science. After graduating, he then attended the Life University College

here at Grand Strand Health & Wellness. As if he didn’t already know so much, however, Dr. Luis constantly strives

Client Success “It began in 2008 with a little pinch feeling in my left knee and gradually moved to my right knee. My knees were very painful and the pain moved down my shin. It was hard to walk or stand. Dr. Garner and his staff have made my experience life-changing. I tell everyone I know what a difference it has made doing small things like bending, standing for long periods of time, walking, etc. This is something I will continue to do for my overall health.”

Sudoku

–Doris Watters

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3959 US-17, STE. C MURRELLS INLET, SC 29576 843-357-9355 GRANDSTRANDCHIROPRACTIC.COM

Inside This Issue Remembering the Good Times in the Wake of Loss 1

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Grand Strand’s Patient of the Month: Fred Frost

Make ‘Prehabilitation’ Part of Your Recovery

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Team Owner of the Month: Dr. Luis Ramos

Client Success

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How to Eat (Responsibly) During the Holidays

HOW TO EAT DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Have you ever stood on a scale at the end of the holiday season and wondered how the extra pounds crept on? It’s no secret that a sugar cookie here, a slice of pie there, and a few glasses of eggnog in between can lead to a few pounds gained. When you’re surrounded by Christmas goodies, how can you resist? Luckily, there are a few ways you can protect your waistline this holiday season without completely cutting out your favorite treats. BE CHOOSY When you see a regular buffet of your favorite holiday treats, don’t immediately start scarfing down everything that looks remotely tasty and sweet. First, scope out the food — without a plate — so you won’t be tempted to start eating without really looking. Then, find the treats that are your absolute favorites and choose one or two of them to eat. You don’t have to give up sweets during the holidays; instead, eat with discretion. DON’T GO HUNGRY To ensure that you don’t overeat at a party or buy junk food that you don’t need when shopping, eat a healthy snack before going out. Before you head out to a party, eat a snack chock-full of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and unsaturated fats. Apple slices with peanut butter work, as well as lean meats and cheeses. If you’re headed to the grocery store, eating a filling

snack before you go will make you less likely to impulsively scoop up those sugary cookies and pastries in the bakery. DRINK RESPONSIBLY (AND JUDICIOUSLY)

If you drink alcohol, keep in mind that each drink will

probably be somewhere between 150–225 calories. A glass of eggnog can have as many as 500 calories. Alcohol decreases your self-control when you’re eating, while also increasing your appetite. Make sure that if you’re drinking, you’re not doing so on an empty stomach. And to decrease the number of high-calorie drinks that you consume, drink a glass of water in between alcoholic beverages. The holidays are a minefield for any healthy diet. But with the right tools, you can ensure that by Jan. 2, your waistline won’t be worse for wear.

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