West Coast Chiropractic Experts - April 2021

West Coast Chiropractic Experts - April 2021

April 2021

SUPPORTING THOSE YOU LOVE THROUGH LIFE’S BIGGEST CHALLENGES

I met my friend Ryan about seven years ago when I needed guidance for how to grow my business. He was a fellow small- business owner who understood what I was going through. Ryan was so supportive, and I could tell he genuinely cared about my success. We’ve remained close ever since, despite our physical distance. Recently, Ryan, who lives in Arizona, has been dealing with intense back pain. He saw specialists in every field of medicine that you could imagine. He started with his chiropractor, then saw a physical therapist, and then he went to his general practitioner. He was sent to a hip specialist, then a pain management expert, and then to another hip specialist, who told him he needed to have his hip replaced. (He doesn’t.) Finally, he was diagnosed properly with colon cancer. When I learned that Ryan had been diagnosed with colon cancer, I was shocked and upset. I had known Ryan was struggling, but you never think it will be cancer. Unfortunately, I’ve experienced this before. Both of my parents had their own bouts with cancer when I was young. These moments were difficult and exhausting, but I learned a lot through all of it. I can still remember my dad’s friend, who told me shortly after my father’s diagnosis that I should let him know if there was anything he could do to help. I was just 22 years old at the time, and I brushed it off. I told him I could handle it and not to worry. My dad’s friend became very somber at that moment. He put his hand on my arm and said, “Listen, me wanting to help is me feeling like I want to serve my friend. I want to be part of this journey, so let me care of him for one day. It’s not because I think you’re weak.” In an instant, my whole perspective changed. My dad’s friend didn’t want to help me; he wanted to support my dad and grieve in his own way. He needed to help my dad, his longtime friend, through this intense, horrible situation. It didn’t matter that I could handle it on my own. It wasn’t about me.

Now, as someone in that same position as my dad’s friend, my goal is to offer support to Ryan. I may be hundreds of miles away from him, but I want to make him feel as if he’s not alone in this fight. In moments like this, I often think about the 2000 movie “The Perfect Storm,” which is based on the true story of anglers trapped at sea during a major storm. During the rescue mission, the experts sent planes to fly over the ship, so those trapped on the boat would know they were not forgotten. The rescuers couldn’t fly into the storm to save them, but they weren’t going away. Later, the survivors said that having those planes hovering around them made it much easier to cling to life. I hope to provide that same kind of support to Ryan. It’s not easy to watch someone you care about battle with cancer — nor is it easy when you’re the patient — but in those moments, we have to look for the planes flying overhead and know we’re not alone. P.S. I chose to write about my friend’s battle with cancer because April is Cancer Control Month. If you can learn anything else from Ryan’s story, I hope it’s this: Get tested! Thankfully, Ryan has been able to start some cancer treatments, and while it’s very exhausting for him, the fact that he listened to his body when something felt wrong was a tremendous gift. Get tested, please! –Dr. Josh Satterlee

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As people grow older, they’re more likely to find themselves at home with less company. If your family members live far away or you have physical limitations that make it difficult to leave the house, you may be at an increased risk of experiencing loneliness. This is why adopting an animal can be so helpful. Pets offer comfort and love, and many encourage physical activity. Integrating a pet into your life as you grow older can be just what you need to lift your spirit and keep you healthy. The Benefits of Pet Ownership A lack of purpose can take a significant toll, but the sense of duty pet owners have around caring for their animals helps them avoid this. The daily tasks of feeding, playing with, and walking your animal can help provide structure and bring meaning to your life. They also give you something to look forward to each day. What’s better than waking up or coming home to a wagging tail or loud meow? This is how pets help improve their owners’ mental and physical health. Studies also show that those who care for pets have less stress and lower blood pressure and cholesterol than their petless counterparts. You’re also more likely to maintain a daily exercise routine. FELINE FRIENDS OR CANINE COMRADES HOW PETS IMPROVE OUR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

Humans have an innate need to be social, and without someone to talk to regularly, our mental well-being can start to deteriorate. Pets may not be the best conversation partners, but they may increase your social activity. Walking a dog to a local park every day, for example, can provide an opportunity for you to interact with other people. If you live alone, this simple activity can increase your social circle and improve your mental health. Find the Right Pet Before taking advantage of the many benefits pets offer, it’s crucial to consider which pet is right for you. Doing research can help answer important questions about which animals might be a good fit for you and your lifestyle and which aren’t. Finding a perfect match may take some time, but once that connection is made, there is nothing that will bring more joy into both of your lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of questions that will help guide you to the perfect pet. Take a look at CDC.gov/healthypets .

DON’T SLEEP ON THESE TRACKING DEVICES WANT A BETTER NIGHT’S REST?

Sleep is essential for good health. It recharges your body and helps you start your day refreshed and alert. With so many wearable devices and sleep tracking apps on the market now, you may be wondering if you should be tracking your sleep. If any of the following apply to you, you may benefit from using a sleep tracker. • You have difficulty sleeping soundly. You wake up repeatedly throughout the night, either due to environmental noises (a snoring partner) or a sleep disorder (sleep apnea). • You feel exhausted during the day. When you don’t get enough sleep at night, you’ll feel tired during the day and may have difficulty focusing and be less productive.

table. Many track your heartbeat and movement. It’s important to keep in mind that while sleep trackers can provide valuable insights, the >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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