South Windsor Neck & Back - April 2018

South Windsor Neck & Back - April 2018

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L ifelong Career 860.644.2437 WWW.FUNCTIONFORLIFE.COM M y journey into the world of chiropractic started at 16 on a go-kart track with one of the most boneheaded games I’ve ever played. If you ever participated in a round of “Kill the Man With the Ball” as a kid, you get the COLUMN APR 2018 When a Go-Kart Catastrophe Leads to a My Journey Into the Chiropractic Field

in the meantime. All the while, I started having serious problems with my back. By the time I was 23, it was taking me 30 minutes to muster the strength to stand up in the morning. I called my mom and told her about the incredible pain I was experiencing, and she referred me to her chiropractor. Fast forward through six months of treatment, going to the chiropractor every week or so for regular adjustments, and my back was almost completely healed. I was amazed because I had a

idea: Take down whoever has the ball by any means necessary. Except this time, making a decision that would cause any medical professional to cringe, we added a motorized vehicle into the mix. Back in the day, my family was lucky enough to have a bona fide paved racetrack in our backyard. It was the site of hundreds of minor collisions, hours of time trials, and the early development of my budding driving skills. But as they say, it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. This particular afternoon, my buddy and I were goofing around in the kart when we had an inspired idea. We’d trade off; one of us would have the ball, and the other would try to run him down with the kart and take the ball back. Back then, the higher the chance of injury in any activity, the more interest we had in it. Admittedly, I ended up with a bigger injury than I bargained for. As my buddy was cruising full speed around the corner, I decided to try for some style points. My plan was to jump over him and land unscathed as he swung by. Mustering all my strength, I leapt into the air right as he was speeding toward me. It was a solid effort, but unfortunately, I didn’t clear the metal housing of the vehicle. Instead, my foot caught the edge, and my body slammed face-first into the ground. As I landed, my lower half contorted like a scorpion’s tail, and I kicked myself in the back of the head. I lay there on the ground for a beat or two as my buddy skidded to a stop and rushed to see if I was okay. Then I got up with a groan, brushed the dust from my shirt, and played it off as if I’d done nothing more than pull a muscle. I assumed I was invincible —much like every other young guy in America. And at first, it seemed as if I might be. I continued playing soccer, baseball, football, and especially hockey over the next few years. I graduated high school and headed off to college. My goal was to be an NHL referee, but I figured I’d take a few classes

180-degree recovery in just a few short months. This showed me the profound effect a medical professional could have on a person’s life. As I developed an interest in the field, my chiropractor mentioned the school from which he’d graduated, Life University, located just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. I decided to visit and see what the fuss was about. As I stepped onto the campus, I immediately knew it was where I was supposed to be. I made a swift transfer into the school, and by September, I was on the path that would carry me through the rest of my life. By my early 20s, I knew what it was like to suffer from a debilitating back injury. As the problem worsened, I began to wonder whether I’d have to give up playing hockey — one of the most important parts of my young life. I was about to throw my hands up and call it quits. Just in time, my chiropractor not only gave me hope, he also provided me with healing, allowing me to continue doing the things I loved. Today, I consider it a privilege to do the same for every one of my wonderful patients, eliminating pain at the source and restoring the freedom to live the way they’ve always wanted. -Dr. Chris Colby

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Have you ever fallen asleep on the beach after swimming in the ocean? If you have, you know it’s the most restful and relaxing sleep imaginable. You might have thought it was just the result of warm sunlight and vacation vibes, but research suggests you may have been experiencing the effects of a practice called “earthing.” Earthing, sometimes referred to as “grounding,” helps bring our bodies into a natural balance. The theory states that our bodies naturally develop a positive charge. As leading nutritionist Dr. John Briffa explains, “During the normal processes of metabolism, the body generates what are called ‘reactive oxygen species,’ which are commonly referred to as ‘free radicals’ ... Free radicals lack sparks of energy known as ‘electrons.’”When a molecule lacks electrons, it gives off a positive charge. An unbalanced positive charge contributes to inflammation, which can then cause many chronic diseases, including heart disease. You should balance your natural positive charge with a negative charge. How can you safely expose yourself to a negative charge? Just let your skin touch the earth. SUCCESS STORY “I have suffered from allergies for many, many years. My only Check out what one of our wonderful clients has to say! Vacation believed that taking medication was my only answer to stopping my allergy symptoms until I met Dr. Colby. I was introduced to him by his wife, whom I worked with and who had watched me suffer from these allergy attacks at work. She warned me about the side effects from taking these medications all the time and presented me with the option for a more natural remedy. “One day, while at work, I had a really bad attack. Angie came over and was very concerned, as I had become extremely pale. She finally convinced me to see her husband and made an appointment on the spot for me to see her husband the very next day. I am so happy she did. “On the first visit, not only did Dr. Colby relieve my symptoms with only one adjustment, but I got back the full rotation of my neck. I played football as a young man and had just assumed that all the hits I took caused me to have permanent damage. I was in disbelief of how well I could now move my neck Sleep Like You’re on relief came from allergy medication prescribed to me by my doctor. I really

Earth gives off a mild electric charge, with plenty of electrons to balance out our overabundance of free radicals. There has yet to be a large-scale scientific study about the benefits of earthing, but current research is promising. One study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that earthing helps reduce blood viscosity, which is a major factor in cardiovascular disease. Another study in the Journal of Inflammation Research showed that earthing might speed up healing. Firsthand accounts from individuals who practice earthing often report lower stress levels, increased energy, and better sleep. Many people who practice earthing make it a point to walk outside barefoot on grass, soil, or sand at least once a day. You have to be careful where you walk, as you don’t want to get cut on sharp rocks or broken glass. An alternative to walking barefoot is to use an earthing pad, which can imitate the negative charge of our planet inside your home. Earthing is quickly gaining a following in the health community. If you are looking for a natural way to improve your overall health and sleep better, why not try taking a walk? Just remember to leave your shoes behind.

after that one adjustment. I was in such disbelief that I went immediately home and went for a long run. I wanted to see if the allergy symptoms would come back, and they didn’t. “Now, instead of the medications, I can get natural relief by getting adjusted. No more

medications and the side effects that could cause other complications for me later in life. I would recommend Dr. Colby and chiropractic to those who are suffering like I suffered. Get adjusted and feel healthy.”

–Bill Jones

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HOW Chiropractic Care CAN RID YOU OF Spring Sniffles Eliminate Your Allergies

Source AT THE

For many, the arrival of spring in Connecticut brings twittering birds, beautiful flowers bursting from the ground, and a chance to finally go outside without a jacket. For others, it brings runny noses, sneezing fits, and itchy, watery eyes. It’s unavoidable — allergy season is upon us. But for those who suffer from hay fever or other common spring maladies, there is an answer. Chiropractic care can diminish you body’s reaction to the substances that trigger your allergies and give you the lasting relief you need to enjoy one of the most gorgeous times of the year. Allergies have mystified scientific experts for generations, but research indicates that stress plays a significant role in the development of abnormal immune system responses to our environment. Studies show that stress and allergies result in similar immune system reactions and that stress can amplify the symptoms of allergies. Over time, our nervous system can begin to send mixed-up signals to our immune system, causing it to erroneously and aggressively react to what’s actually a nearly harmless

substance. This causes those annoying symptoms you experience every time you go outside and get a whiff of pollen. Whatever the exact cause, it’s evident that the nervous system and immune system are intimately linked. The root cause of your allergic reaction seems to be a miscommunication between your brain and spinal cord. Luckily, chiropractic treatments are designed to address this disconnect, strengthen the immune system, reduce stress, and even bolster the function of your respiratory system. Most allergy sufferers assume that their dribbling nose is just something they have to live with every spring if they don’t resort to using serious antihistamines. But with the simple, natural adjustments of an experienced chiropractor, you can reduce or even eliminate your allergic reactions at their source and get back to enjoying the outdoors. If you’re interested in taking care of your allergies once and for all, give Dr. Chris Colby a call at 860.644.2437 and take the first step toward the life you deserve! TAKE A Break

Chicken Piccata

Ingredients

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2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

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4 chicken cutlets

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1 tablespoon capers, drained

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2 tablespoons vegetable oil

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2 tablespoons unsalted butter

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1/4 cup dry white wine

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Fresh lemon slices

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1 teaspoon garlic, minced

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Fresh parsley, chopped

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1/2 cup chicken broth

Directions

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Glaze pan with wine, and addminced garlic. Cook until the liquid is almost completely gone and garlic is browned, about 2 minutes. Add broth, lemon juice, and capers. Place cutlets back in pan and cook inmixture for 1 minute on each side. Return cutlets to the warmplate. Add butter and lemons to sauce. After butter has melted, pour it over the cutlets.

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Using a tenderizer hammer, pound each cutlet between 2 pieces of cling wrap, then coat a sauté pan with nonstick spray. Season each cutlet with salt and pepper, and dust with flour. Add to pan with vegetable oil, and heat over mediumhigh heat. Sauté cutlets for 2–3 minutes on the first side, then flip and sauté other side 1–2 minutes with pan covered. Place cutlets on a warmplate, and pour off fat from the pan.

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ALLERGY FLOWER GARDEN HEALTH HONEYSUCKLE ITCH

LILAC LILY MINT OUTDOORS POLLEN ROSEMARY

SNEEZE SPRING WARM

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Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve.

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Inside This Issue

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A Go-Kart Collision and a Lifelong Career

Have You Tried This Natural Healing Remedy?

Success Story

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Can Chiropractic Care Help With Allergies?

Chicken Piccata Recipe

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3 Awesome Ways to Create Lasting Memories

Family adventures are a great way to grow closer and develop meaningful connections. But with lodging prices rising and the logistical nightmare that traveling with the entire family can be, many Americans are looking at a new option: ditching the beaches and resorts and heading to the great outdoors. Actually, we know this option isn’t new at all. Spending time outdoors with family may very well be one of the most time-honored traditions ever. CAMPING Lodgings and flights are expensive, so going on a family vacation can cost thousands of dollars — and that’s just for the basics! But camping only requires a tent, a fire, picnic food, and water. Rather than scarfing down fast food between flights and dealing with airport security, departure delays, and long flights, take a deep breath and roast marshmallows over the fire with the people you love. HIKING A hike with family is an easy way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. All a hike requires is a trail and a sense of adventure. The best part of hiking is that you can tailor the distance to fit your family’s needs. If you have children or grandkids who aren’t up for the challenge of an arduous daylong trek, there’s sure to be a shorter scenic trail. If nothing else, you can always turn around and backtrack the way you came. FAMILY TIME in the Great Out doors

FISHING Fishing is a great way to get out and do something relaxing yet challenging. It doesn’t require a lot of skill or investment. All it takes is the willingness to learn and the desire to connect with nature. This is why fishing is the perfect activity for youngsters of all ages. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your rod and reel and head to the nearest lake or river. While these are all great stand-alone options, together they form an amazing three- headed monster for your next family outing. By combining camping with a hike to a river or lake where you can go fishing, you are sure to create lasting memories with your family that will draw you closer together. Ditch the lines at the airport and the stress of travel. Unleash the possibilities of adventure in the great outdoors.

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