Have you ever experienced getting an electrical shock when touching something or someone? That’s a sign that too much electricity is building up in your body. Think of it like overloading the circuitry. In your home, your circuit breaker trips so a fire doesn’t break out. Your body’s circuit breaker is not so forgiving. Overloading your system can be dangerous which is why it is important to pay close attention to the clues and cues your body gives you.

In our last newsletter, we talked about the benefits of chiropractic and how adjustments keep the electricity “on” in your body. That electrical energy flowing through your body also has to flow out or it will be trapped and start to cause serious problems for your organs, tissues, and cells. Regularly grounding or “Earthing” your body helps to dissipate the charges that are accumulating in your body causing stress on your nervous system.


What is Grounding?
Grounding or Earthing is really simple. This is basically your body being in contact with the Earth. Walking barefoot on the grass or at the beach are common ways we experience the effects of grounding. This gives your body (and you) a sense of calm, ease, and allows your body to relax and not have to work so hard to keep itself from burning out. 


Earth is a conductor of electricity.
When you take your shoes off and put your feet to the grass, your body absorbs free electrons from the Earth. Once these electrons are inside your body, it acts as an antioxidant which provides many health and healing benefits. 

Dr. Stephen Sinatra, MD, FACC, FACN, CNS, a board certified cardiologist and certified bioenergetic analyst with over 35 years of experience in helping patients prevent and reverse heart disease said, "One of the most important dividends of Earthing is that it helps balance the autonomic nervous system (ANS), the largely involuntary part of the nervous system that regulates mainly visceral body business like heart and respiration rates, digestion, perspiration, urination, and even sexual arousal."  
A study that Dr. Sinatra cited in his article showed that 40-minutes of grounding sessions confirmed a balancing effect on the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system and restoration of normal tone that reduces the stress response. These responses go beyond basic relaxation and may explain, in part, the repeated reports from people who experience lower blood pressure and improved arrhythmias after they start Earthing.

How To Ground Your Body
The simple answer is to take your footwear off and put your bare feet directly on the grass, sand, or soil. 
The connection to the Earth will instantly begin normalizing the natural flow of electricity that should be happening daily throughout your body. Anything bottled up will find a way to be released. 

Many people report deeper and more restful sleep, immediate sense of calm, and lower levels of stress and inflammation symptoms. 

Other Grounding Tips:

• NATURAL VS SYNTHETIC - Wear natural fibres on your feet and body so they don’t insulate (or trap) the electricity in your body like synthetic fibres do. 
• A GROUNDING MAT - All homes are built with grounding wires for the electricity that run through the structure. Light fixtures and electrical outlets all have grounders so you don’t get shock. Humans spend their time walking, sleeping, sitting in their homes where many artificial fabrics, beds, seating, flooring are made of material that insulate or trap electricity in our bodies. A grounding mat can help with this. 
• CHIROPRACTIC - A chiropractor measures the health of your body by checking your nervous system. Nerves carry electricity that control and coordinate every cell of your body. Without this, life could not exist.  While your body needs to be connected to the Earth to unblock trapped electricity within your body, your chiropractor unblocks subluxations which prevent electricity from flowing throughout your body properly.

For more information on how your body’s electrical system may be affecting your health contact Dr. Michael Pim, DC today!​

Regular chiropractic also keeps the pros on tour because they experience less injury and illness. 72% of golfers on the grueling circuit (like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy) make chiropractic a priority just as much as they make practicing a priority.
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HOW REGULAR CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS CAN HELP YOUR GOLF GAME:
The art, science, and philosophy of chiropractic are founded on the same principles that we’ve talked about before and here’s how they relate to your golf game. Yes, we are repeating them but they bare repeating because these principles are the foundation of chiropractic and ultimately the foundation of your health. (They’re important!!)

1. NO INTERFERENCE - The whole point of a chiropractic adjustment is to align the spine so that the nervous system can operate properly with no interference. It sounds simplistic but the nervous system is one of the most complex systems in our bodies and without its proper function, well, it’s kind of like your computer’s hard drive crashing. Yikes. 

 
In the game of golf, your mind, body, and intuition, must align with every shot. When the body is experiencing pain or dis-ease, it becomes an unwelcome distraction and blockage when it comes to your overall performance and endurance on the golf course.

1. YOUR BRAIN AND BODY WANT TO TALK – Interference comes when the nerves running through your spine get pinched, blocked, or impinged when your vertebrae get hurt or twisted and can’t get straight again. Think of this like a water hose. If you bend it, the water will not flow through. If that hose was carrying a message from your body to your brain or vice versa, the message would get stuck, distorted, or never reach its destination. A chiropractor is trained to pinpoint the exact area of blockages in your nervous system and corrects it so the flow can get back to normal and the messages can get through again. 

 
Giving your body the right messages while playing golf will not only help to improve your score but also help you to finish the game strong. One golf game for the everyday person can be long. A tournament even longer. 
 
When the brain and body are able to communicate efficiently, it goes a long way for the golfer’s score and recovery.

1. BODY ALIGNED = HAPPY MIND – When things are in alignment, you and your body are able to process information easier and quicker because your brain is getting the messages needed to function. 

 
Unlike any other sport, golf is very much a mental game. The cognitive and problem-solving nature coupled with the physical demands and emotional competitiveness of the game of golf require long stretches of extreme focus. 
 
Imagine if you could just enjoy the game with no aches and pains or mental and emotional distractions?
 
To make sure you’re ready for your next weekend game or the pro tour, make sure to contact Dr. Michael for a comprehensive chiropractic assessment! ​

Dear Patients,

​Neck pain is a very common reason for people to come in to see us. It is also the very thing that, when given the right support, can be prevented. But how does one know what the "right support" is when there can be a multitude of reasons for the pain to begin with?

Here are some not so common causes that could explain that stiff or achy neck.

1. ALLERGIES – It sounds weird but the root of allergies that affect the neck have to do with inflammation in the body which causes swelling. It’s not necessarily something we connect to neck pain, but the toxins that build up (and can't get out) begin to wreak havoc in the tissues, muscles, ligaments, nerves, bones, soft tissue, joints and organs around your neck area. The result? Pain, tenderness, and even stiffening and locking of your neck. 

2. SLEEPING POSITIONS – Believe it or not there is a proper way to sleep so that your physical body can maximize healing during your sleep hours. Bad sleeping positions can:

• Cause degeneration of your spine;
• Cut off oxygen to your brain and vital organs;
• Create a distortion to your rib cage which then puts stress on your heart and lungs;
• Cause muscle shrinkage or atrophy.

3. CHEWING – Eating is an everyday event, but when do we ever see chewing as an everyday exercise? Many times patients with dental problems experience stress on the cervical spine caused by:

• Chewing only on one side;
• Chewing predominantly on one side;
• Asymmetrical chewing as a result of missing teeth or bite problems;
• Habit-chewing. (Chewing on straws, fingernails, or other objects)

 
4. LACK OF APPROPRIATE MOVEMENT OF THE HEAD AND NECK – Most people go to work, stare at a screen all day, then go home, and stare at another screen for a better part of the evening before going to bed. No one really thinks about exercising or stretching their head and neck with purpose!

5. MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL STRESS – One of the leading causes of any dis-ease in your body is mental and/or emotional stress. Think about the times when you are stressed out about something. Does your body tighten up? Do you clench your teeth? Does your breathing stop or go shallow? Do your shoulders curl up towards your ears? Does your body slouch more? You may not notice, but all the tightness is usually around the upper part of your body and especially around your jaw, neck, shoulders, upper back, and around your eyes and face. This can cause blurry vision, headaches, fatigue, and even go so far as to slow your reactions, cause brain fog, and compromise your decision making, 

 

HOW REGULAR CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS CAN HELP:

NO INTERFERENCE - The whole point of a chiropractic adjustment is to align the spine so that the nervous system can operate properly with no interference. It sounds simplistic but the nervous system is one of the most complex systems in your body and without its proper function, well, it’s kind of like your computer’s hard drive crashing. Yikes.  

YOUR BRAIN AND BODY WANT TO TALK – Interference comes when the nerves running through your spine get pinched, blocked, or impinged when your vertebrae get hurt or twisted and can’t get straight again. Think of this like a water hose. If you bend it, the water will not flow through. If that hose was carrying an important message from your body to your brain or vice versa, the message would get stuck, distorted, or never reach its destination. A chiropractor is trained to pinpoint the exact area of blockages in your nervous system and corrects it so the flow can get back to normal and the messages can get through again.

SLEEP ON YOUR SIDE – Once the human body can sit up on its own and hold its head up on its own, this is when the lumbar spine and cervical spine could use your help. In addition to regular chiropractic adjustments throughout ones life, it is important to alternate sleeping on each side and to use a good pillow to support your neck. Consulting your chiropractor about the many factors that contribute to a good night's rest is vital to your health.

CHEW YOUR FOOD (PROPERLY) – The realignment of your jaw through a chiropractic adjustment can help you to chew your food easier and more properly. It is also a good idea to be mindful of how you are chewing and to make sure you alternate evenly. Dental health and hygiene are also important so remember to brush and floss those pearly whites!

SIT UP STRAIGHT – Sitting and standing properly enables your muscles to get activated more naturally. When you sit and stand, think of moving from your hips and legs rather than from your back. Proper alignment will give all of the postural muscles throughout your body the right amounts of electrical charges so that it can keep up its tone, strength, and flexibility.

BODY ALIGNED = HAPPY MIND – When things are in alignment, you and your body are able to process information easier and quicker because your brain is getting the messages needed to function. It is also vital to the intricate internal system that we often take for granted. We don't ever have to get up in the morning and ask our heart to beat for us or remind our eyes to see. Our bodies just does what it was designed to do and we benefit from it all day long. Taking care of the miracle that is your body is simple, and at the same time, it requires a mindful commitment. (That's the hard part!) This is where your chiropractor can help! Remember that health questions are always welcome so please don't hesitate to ask Dr. Michael at your next appointment!

Yours in health,
 
Dr. Michael Pim, DC

What goes best with Nature's Flu Shots? Movement of course!! And it can come in many forms!

Over the last year many of us have had to stay indoors more and that naturally meant less movement because of the pandemic. This doesn't help our bodies to relieve itself from toxins, to keep up muscle mass, and for the right hormones to get activated to keep us happy.

Think about all the ways in which your body has stopped moving. What % is moving less? How has this affected your mood, strength, sociability, outlook, or anything else?

This is where one simple thing like movement can make a huge impact.

Think about the difference between working at home vs working in the office. How much less walking do you do because of that? For example...walking around the house to get ready, walking back and forth to the car or transportation, walking to the conference room, going to the next office to collaborate with co-workers, getting out for lunch at a nearby eatery, or even walking the distance to the restroom. Those distances are far greater than from your room, to the study, to the lavatory, to the kitchen.

We don't realize just how much we take for granted and how much our bodies have actually slowed down over the last year. These tiny changes matter.

Starting now, take a bit of extra time to stretch more, exercise more or find creative ways to move more. Dancing, gardening, chair exercises, mindful lifts and bends while doing chores all make a difference. The more you do this, the more you will start turning things around for the better - Mind + Body + Spirit.

Want more movement tips? Make sure to ask Dr. Michael at your next appointment!

Yours in health,

Dr. Michael Pim, DC

Each year around Autumn time, CFCC provides Nature’s Flu Shot juice samples and recipe cards to patients that come in during the months we refer to as “flu season”. (Or at least the start of it)  It signifies the time to “GET BOOSTED” with nutrients so our bodies are prepared for the seasonal changes that start then and go on through Winter…a time when people are more likely to get run down and sick.
 
To make sure all our patients have access to the recipe, we’ve put it here in this email for you along with the top 3 ways it can keep your health optimally functioning all season long:

How Nature’s Flu Shots Help Your Immune System:

1. Helps provide essential nutrients your body needs to strengthen its ability to fight off bugs and other illnesses.
2. Helps release toxins that can build up in your body when you’re run down and not at your best.
3. Helps energize your body naturally so it can perform and function better on a daily basis.

 
Nutrition Profile of Nature’s Flu Shot Ingredients. For more interesting information worth reading go to www.whfoods.com and www.draxe.com to see more in-depth profiles.
 
PINEAPPLE:

• Key Nutrients: Excellent source of Vitamin C and Manganese.  Very good source of copper. Good source of vitamin B6 + B1, dietary fiber, folate, and pantothenic acid. 
• Key Benefit: Antioxidant benefits, immune support, energy production, and is good for eye health.

LEMONS:

• Key Nutrients: Excellent source of vitamin C. Good source of folate.
• Key Benefits: Vitamin C is one of the most important antioxidants in nature. Neutralizes free radicals and helps your cells to make healthy decisions within your body.

GARLIC:

• Key Nutrients: Excellent source of manganese and vitamin B6. Very good source of vitamin C and copper. Good source of selenium, phosphorus, vitamin B1, and calcium
• Key Benefits: Good for cardiovascular system, immune system, inflammatory system, digestive system, endocrine system, and detoxification system.

GINGER:

• Key Nutrients: Trace vitamins and minerals. Dr. Michael’s Note: Although ginger is not high in certain vitamins and minerals, its healing properties are immense. (See Key Benefits)
• Key Benefits: Ginger is warming and can help to promote healthy sweating. This is helpful if one has a cold or flu symptoms. Ginger is also very concentrated in active substances that can help with nausea, indigestion, and inflammatory symptoms. 

CAYENNE PEPPER:

• Key Nutrients: Vitamin A, C, B6, and E. Potassium, manganese and flavonoids.
• Key Benefits: Helps digestion, provides detox support, helps circulation, and helps fight colds and flu. 

Of course, regular chiropractic should always be at the foundation of your health regime. To book your visit, go here and we look forward to seeing you soon!
 
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