South Windsor Neck & Back - December 2018

South Windsor Neck & Back - December 2018

Spinal The

COLUMN DEC 2018

860.644.2437 WWW.FUNCTIONFORLIFE.COM

Table L essons From the What My Patients Have Taught Me A s an experienced chiropractor, there isn’t much I haven’t seen. It isn’t accurate to say that minor slips and falls are no longer exciting, because they can certainly alter the lives of my patients, and I got into this career to help people live full lives. Yet, getting a challenging case or a patient with a unique story reminds me of my passion for chiropractic care. In early September, I had a patient come into the clinic whose story amazed me. This woman is a horse trainer on a farm near South Windsor, and she was struggling to sleep and get through the day without pain. It turns out, she had been kicked in the face by a horse, but she managed to walk away with only a broken nose. The part of this story that amazes me is that she walked away at all. This woman was hurt, but she’s alive after the full force of an animal, whose power is used to describe the strength of vehicles, pelted her in the face. When this patient came to see me, she was suffering from migraines, a loss of energy, and fatigue. I mean, who wouldn’t be after an injury like that? I adjusted and treated her regularly for a few months, and she’ll likely have to come in once or twice per year for a maintenance adjustment. This may seem like a hassle, but it’s a small penance for what the alternative could have been. After some adjustments and with monitoring, she is back to doing what she loves. She gets to work with horses every day, and her energy level and head are back to normal.

sometimes frustrating as we try to build up South Windsor Neck & Back since purchasing it in September of 2017. But all the hours I put into this are for my patients. I can’t wait for you to see what we have in store for 2019, and as I write this, I’m working through the details. As for my patients, this horse-training injury is a reminder of proper care. The patient admitted she needed help for the pain, got adjusted throughout the course of a few months, and she will now continue with maintenance checks to make sure her spine stays aligned. Most patients, unfortunately, think that once they feel better, they can stop treatment. For example, some patients who had spinal surgery think their problems are fixed completely. Yet the best course for a pain-free life is to monitor your back with regular maintenance appointments. If you don’t, you risk causing more severe problems in your spine, muscles, and tendons, which hold your muscles to your spine and bones. Essentially, you’ll slip back into a pattern of pain. Your body has to adapt after an injury, and you need to give it the proper tools to do so. This is why I got into chiropractic care; I knew I could provide care to others to help them after some of the most painful times in their lives. Even if it seems minor on paper, it’s big to my patients — so it’s important to me. –Dr. Chris Colby

This patient’s story and determination remind me why I do what I do in the first place. I want to help people. This past year and a half has been tiring and

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Choosing the right goal is perhaps the most important part of any achievement. Be brave and challenge yourself this year, but increase your chances of success by avoiding these four common pitfalls. 1. Getting ‘Toned,’ ‘Buff,’ or ‘In Shape’ Do yourself a favor and delete vague fitness terms like these from your vocabulary; they don’t mean anything, and there’s no way to achieve them without a concrete definition. For instance, once you understand that “toned” really means “lean and muscular,” you can create a workout plan than helps you shed fat and reveal muscle. And “in shape” can have different meanings depending on your current fitness level. To you, does it mean completing a difficult WOD, losing weight, or reducing your blood pressure? Be as specific as possible when creating your goal. 2. Losing a Large Amount of Weight Losing lots of weight is fine as a long-term goal, but it will take a while. To prevent feelings of discouragement and failure, it’s best to create smaller milestones to hit along the way. Decide what you can realistically achieve during a manageable period of time — perhaps 3-6 months — and make that your first goal. While the scale is a handy tool to evaluate your progress, don’t rely on these numbers alone. Use multiple techniques, such as progress photos, measurements, and the way your clothes fit. Mistakes to Avoid Set the Right Goals This New Year 4 Fitness Goal

3. Setting Unrealistic Goals Challenging yourself is one thing; setting yourself up for failure is another. If you spent three years putting on weight, it’s not going to come off in three weeks. If you’re juggling a 50-hour work week with a family and chores, you’re probably kidding yourself by swearing to hit the gym every night after work for an hour. If you’re a hard-gainer, trying to look like Arnold will be an exercise in futility. Don’t be afraid to push yourself, but set goals you stand a chance of achieving. Once you hit those successfully, set some new ones! 4. Letting Instagram Influence Your Goals Your favorite fitness Instagrammers may look like gods and goddesses online, but keep in mind that they’re only showing you their best selves on their best days with the best angles and lighting. Instead of trying to be someone else, focus on yourself! Just because they’re hitting PRs or rocking bikinis or eating a vegan diet doesn’t mean you have to. Decide what you really care about, then choose goals that will make your life better every day — even when the camera isn’t around.

Don’t wait until January to get started. Decide ahead of time what you want to achieve, make a plan now, and set yourself up for success!

THE MOST

Relaxing Gift

Let’s face it: The holidays are stressful. Give the gift of relaxation or take time to unwind this season with massage gift certificates and appointments at South Windsor Neck & Back! Since late fall, massage therapy has been added to our lineup of services designed to make you feel better. Our massage therapist, Amy Dubenetsky, has been providing relief to our patients with her specialized training and expertise.

certificate to a list of prizes at the office holiday party, or show your dog walker you appreciate her extra effort this year.

Amy’s skills have been enjoyed by our patients, and we want to extend that

And if you’re interested in popping in for a massage of

same level of relief to other community members. Massage gift certificates are a perfect present for anyone on your shopping list. Purchase massage gift

your own, patients can have multiple sessions with Amy covered by most insurances for a deductible fee. If you want to pay out of pocket, massage therapy appointments cost $75. Meet our new massage therapist and schedule an appointment with Amy by calling South Windsor Neck & Back at 860.644.2437. We promise it will be the easiest — and most therapeutic — task you do this holiday season.

certificates as holiday treats for your loved ones, or spread some joy to your neighbors. Add a massage gift

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860.644.2437

“Relief today ... function for life!”

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Why You Should Visit a Chiropractor After a Slip and Fall

L ifelong Pain DON’T FALL INTO

You’re ready for a perfect winter day. You’ve got some hot cocoa to go, and you’re bundled up to meet with your friends for an annual gift exchange. You start down the front steps and — bam! The hot cocoa and your feet fly into the air, and your shoulder starts throbbing. You’re shocked and embarrassed as you try to scramble back to your feet. If this sounds familiar, then you know a slip on the ice or a trip in your home can happen at any age. Yet, as you age, the likelihood of an injury increases. It can be tempting to ignore the slip, chalk it up to clumsiness, and rotate between heat and ice packs for the next few days. But ignoring the aftermath of a fall leads to a life of nagging pain and lingering issues. Back pain can make daily tasks, like cooking, sleeping, and driving, extremely difficult, and living with neck pain can lead to headaches and sinus issues. Those who live with pain believe it’s normal, but while it’s common for people to have pain, it is not normal for your body. It’s a warning mechanism for you to fix something. Each part of your body is impacted

by another part, so when you ignore the pain in your spine, you’re allowing your muscles, joints, and tendons to function abnormally. Larger issues, like chronic migraines or muscle strains, could then crop up in the future. After a thorough background check into your medical history, which will help determine if your fall triggered any other medical issues, a chiropractor will determine the best course of action. Regular adjustments and maintenance appointments can help get you back on your feet and functioning after a fall. These medical professionals are trained to get your spine realigned after a traumatic event like a fall. Even the smallest trip can be traumatic for your back. Your spine was rocked, and just standing up won’t put it back into place. You need a proper adjustment to get your body in order. Learn more about how South Windsor Neck & Back can adjust you back to normal after a fall this winter by calling 860.644.2437 or visiting FunctionForLife.com .

TAKE a Break

The Colby/Boemmels Families’ Favorite Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

This holiday season, cozy up with some sweet treats! This recipe has become a favorite for both our families, and we know it will become a staple for your family, too.

Ingredients

•

1 (8 ounces) brick of cream cheese, room temperature 1 stick of butter, room temperature

• • •

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1 (18 ounces) boxed moist chocolate cake mix Handful(s) of chocolate chips, crushed peppermint, and/or crushed Thin Mints (optional)

• •

1 egg

Directions

1. 2.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

5.

Mix in the chocolate chips, crushed peppermint, and/or crushedThin Mints. Cover the mixture and refrigerate it for two hours.

Combine butter and cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer until the mixture has a smooth consistency.

6. 7. 8.

Roll the cooled batter into balls.

3. 4.

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.

Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake 12 minutes. Baked cookies will be gooey.

Beat in the cake mix.

Candle Cookies Decorations Family Gratitude Holidays

Snowflake Snowman Snowstorm Tradition Travel Winter

Family Tip: These delectable bites go well with some homemade hot chocolate and your favorite holiday movie. You can make this hot drink by combining three parts milk with one part sugar and one part baking cocoa in a pot on the stove. Be sure to serve it with whipped cream, and enjoy a holiday treat fit for the jolly man himself!

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“Relief today ... function for life!”

860.644.2437

860.644.2437

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1330 Sullivan Avenue South Windsor, Connecticut 06074 www.functionforlife.com

Inside This Issue

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Learning From Patients

4 Fitness Goal Mistakes to Avoid

Massage Therapy in South Windsor

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Getting Adjusted After a Fall

Our Families’ Favorite Cookie Recipe

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Holiday Decoration Tours

Christmas Tours C r Get Away and Be Festive This Holiday Season There’s nothing quite like the magical lights of the holiday season, and some destinations in the U.S. have perfected the craft of holiday decoration. If you’re looking to get away this December and still engage in seasonal festivities, add one of these places to your must-visit list. New York City’s Rockefeller Center New York City is an iconic location for Christmastime. The scene is like a Hallmark card: Ice-skating lovers whiz past miles of twinkling lights underneath an exceptionally tall and amply decorated tree. The tree is specially selected by Rockefeller Center’s landscaping crews, who scout out trees years in advance. It remains lit from November to early January, so you have plenty of time to check it out. Ranch Christmas in Jackson, Wyoming Jackson, Wyoming takes its frontier culture to the next level during the Christmas season. All year, the city proudly displays four elk antler arches, but around the holidays, they are lit up with white string lights and flanked by snow. The Christmas decorations and lights surrounding

the archway make for a Western-themed holiday pulled right out of a John Wayne classic. For holiday admirers looking for a unique spin, Jackson has you covered.

Yearly Yuletide in Santa Claus, Indiana This one’s for the Christmas lover. If you can’t make it out to Santa Claus, Indiana, this holiday season, you can still celebrate Christmas in this tiny Midwestern town in January, June, or even October. Embracing its unique name, the town boasts a museum, holiday shopping center, and a Christmas theme park. In a moving tribute, the town’s residents also write responses to children’s letters to Kris Kringle himself. It’s impossible to avoid holiday cheer in this town. Disney World’s Christmas Magic What better place to celebrate the most magical time of the year than in the most magical place on Earth? Walt Disney World’s halls are decked to the max with a parade, gingerbread homes, strings of lights, and festive parties. Plus, costs to visit Disney World can be cheaper during the Christmas season, so keep an eye out for a vacation steal.

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860.644.2437

“Relief today ... function for life!”

www.functionforlife.com