You Can Turn Around Unwanted Brain Learning

Your brain does everything you taught it to do.

Some things need to be unlearned.

Examples of unwanted brain learning:

Chronic fatigue
IBS

Fibromyalgia 
Inflammatory conditions

Mold sensitivity 
 Natural approaches don't work like it does for others

Electronic sensitivity 
 Unexpected negative response to supplements

Light sensitivity 
 Unexpected negative response to a nutritional detox

Sound sensitivity

Food sensitivity 

Vagus Nerve Dysfunction also follows suit:  (overlapping with limbic system dominance)

chronic pain 
 heart rate changes 
 digestive issues

auto-immune dysfunction 
 speech difficulty 
 phase I detox issues

anxiety / panic attacks
 blood pressure changes
learning difficulty

depression 
 sweating 
 memory problems

stubborn headaches 
 breathing problems
 poor liver function

hypersensitive to smells 
 throat problems

seem to have a very poor healing response

avoid going places in case you get worse while out

memory problems

95% of your life is lived by the subconscious.

That can sound hopeless or adventurous. It's all up to you!

Acute pain recruits 5% of neurons in the frontal brain.

Chronic pain (lasting 3 months or longer) slips into the limbic system recruiting 15% - 20% of neurons [triple to quadruple INCREASE!]

Focusing on fast pain relief backfires. Positive thinking and talk therapy focusing on past traumas are not shown to be productive.

There is a better way to reteach the brain

Time for a S.T.A.R. Session Mini-Retreat

Intentional Brain Training

It is a 30 minute extended adjustment session recruiting the brain's senses.

Make an appointment !!

S.T.A.R. stands for soft tissue adhesion release and stress taming adrenal re-set.

Limbic System balancing during a STAR Session: - deeper breathing - adjustment reinforces calmness, brain gets a reboot. -Ess. Oils aromatherapy -relaxing music, dopamine boost, reorganizes the brain - tuning fork deep relaxation - stillness, silence (very healing yet we often avoid it) - expressive writing / shifts the brain - visualization, guided imagery, recruit new nerve patterns to replace unwanted patterns while relaxed Neurons that fire together, wire together. STAR Sessions set a stage for new learning in the brain.

Harness your nervous system to work for you not against you.

De-stress your Emotional Network

Emotions are a super responsive survival mechanism. The brain efficiently embeds physical responses to emotions that are repeated over time.

When a current emotion matches a cataloged emotional memory from the past, the limbic system can initiate over-exaggerated body responses. When the limbic system dominates, the parasympathetic system (rest & digest) becomes dysfunctional.

Ask me for more info.

See you at the table.....

       ....the adjusting table

--Dr. Lisa

Brain Gain is Life Gain

Why do you get adjusted?  The answers vary from person to person.

Why do I love adjusting people's spines?  Because it is the most profound way to open the floodgates (spinal joints) to deliver healing energy (from innate).   

And because YOU are more than a sore joint or pulled muscle....you are an intelligent being who can make a great difference in the world.  

Since spinal motion energizes the brain, similar to a windmill generating electricity, the brain gives back in so many wonderful ways that allow you to be the mover and changer the world needs!

Benefits of the Adjustment: Studied and Measured

The Adjustment Influences the Prefrontal Cortex of the Brain

(the conductor of the whole brain)

movement coordination

thinking focus

behavior goal directed tasks

decision making memory attention

intelligence

pain processing emotional response to pain

autonomic function (just about everything)

motor control eye movement spacial awareness

fall prevention muscle strength

pelvic floor control mental rotation of objects

(www.spinalresearch.au)

*Normalizing Blood Pressure

*Mood and Attention Improvement

*Blood Glucose efficiency– decreases insulin resistance

*Improvements and/or Reversal of neurodegenerative brain physiology (HUGE!)

*Epigenetic Changes – this changes fertility and short & long term offspring physiology

*Increase ATP – which is a “game-changer” for many reasons

*Telomere shortening – one of GREATEST “anti-aging” strategies in health today!

*Heart Disease – #1 contributor to heart disease in men and women is increased sustained sympathetic tone

*Immune System – Radically affects the immune system. Better than any marketable strategy medicine has to offer

Brain Changes

*One study noted the changes made in brain patterns and activity was more in one session than multiple weeks of standard psychological treatment made to brain!(You should know that brain-based neurophysiologists get their mind blown when they get to see the power of an adjustment on the brain!)

*Chiropractic was also shown to improve muscle strength, stability, and fatigue more in one session than 3 weeks of weight training! (Mind-Blowing!!)

Let me throw a few musculoskeletal benefits in here:

*Increases mobility and reduces Spinal Degeneration – degeneration shown to set in within 10-14 days with reduced mobility.

*5x better at musculoskeletal pain reduction than celebrex and vioxx combined (sad part here is that celebrex and vioxx together gross more $ per year ALONE than the entire chiropractic profession….the world desperately needs what we do!)

 (www.chiropracticadvocate.com)

What else happens when you release subluxations with adjustments:

Decrease pro-inflaming cytokines (bad guys)              Increase neurotensin

Increase pro-regulatory cytokines (good guys)             Increase oxytocin

Increase CD-4 helpter T-cells (good guys)                    Increase orexin A

Block TNF (bad guys)                                            Better cortisol response

Decrease CRP (bad guys)                                

                                                            Increase DNA repair with maintenance

Beyond Better

Expand Your Experience  !!

Routine chiropractic care

is your recharging session.

Brain Impairment 101: Recognize It and Reverse It

How does your brain relate to the rest of your body? Do you heal well and have vibrant energy? You don't need a TBI (traumatic brain injury) to be brain impaired. 

But don't fret.  You have a great opportunity.

1- Basic signs of brain impairment: (1) fatigue, (2) anxiety, (3) memory problems, and (4) digestive issues (Author: Datis Kharrazian)

2- How many examples apply to you?

___ I have a difficult time relaxing

___ I don't take time out for myself

___ I don't sleep well

___ I sleep a lot and still feel tired

___ My pain rating is 6 or higher one or more times a week

___ I have energy slumps 1-2 times a day or more

___ I feel like I'm dragging myself through the day

___ I have a sensitivity to light and/or sound

___ I tend to over-think situations and it hinders my productivity

___ I have multiple areas of soft tissue soreness and trigger points

___ I don't get good results from natural approaches when most people do

___ If I try a nutritional detox it tends to make me feel worse

___ I have auto-immune issues and/or digestive issues that make my ability to function unpredictable

3- Modern stresses that impair the brain, impairing the healing process: (F. Ulan)

• Anti-nutrients disguised as food, leading to hyperglycemia and inflammation
• Heavy metals, molds
• Chemicals
• Brain/Immune Burden (overwhelmed stress response: limbic system dominance)
• Scars (weaker and more pain sensitive, think myofascial pain syndrome)

4- Get On-Board the Better Brain Program with chiropractic, nutrition and S.T.A.R. Sessions

Stay tuned for more unique brain facts.  

--Dr. Lisa

Your Health Freedom Advocate

The Opioid Problem is not THE Problem

Don't misinterpret my words.  People are grieving the deaths of loved ones.  I want people to rethink where we are going wrong in terms of teaching our children and loved ones how to deal with stress.  

I've read the complaints that the DARE program is ineffective.  People will tell you Just Say No is a frivolous phrase.  

For me the idea of not being in control of myself, my own cognition, as well as the consequences of my own behavior while under the influence of a substance while it is trapped in my body,  is terribly alarming.  

For all the social media hype about women asserting their rights, stop the bullying, and stand up for yourself.....you can't do that if you're under the influence of a substance. 

For me this includes caffeine, and routinely prescribed non-opiate drugs, as well.  And while we're at it, I can't leave out sugar, processed foods and chemicals added to food.  

Any drug or substance problem stems from the basic question: Do I trust my body?

How were you taught about the body God created for you?  Do you fear your own body?  Do you have fears and concerns about your health?  Do you believe you can heal?  Were you sickly as a child?  Did the adults around you also have similar fears?  Do you get nervous when you can't find your Tylenol bottle?  Are you disappointed in your own job performance or school grades because you feel you don't keep up with adequate energy?  Do you feel your efforts are not good enough and somehow blame your lack of talent or inability to learn quickly?  Do you feel like a social reject and have trouble making friends?

Sometimes we feel as if we are stumbling within ourselves mentally and physically.  We feel short changed, unable to ignite our talents because of some kind of invisible barrier holding us back. 

The second question is what is the best way to take care of my health?

We hear about the two most challenging problems with opioid overuse: 
1- mental illness and self medicating
2- pain/injury and a distorted attitude toward the purpose of the pain process accompanied by a developed tolerance to pain medication (and/or a hypersensitive pain response)

This leads to my unique challenge for everyone:
We will not be able to make real change with the opioid problems until we face our own brain impairment.  

We all have brain impairment and it leads us to making bad decisions. And it happens everyday to everyone.  You may not be struggling with a drug dependence problem.  You may not be a victim of the over-prescribing mindset common in health care today.  But we are all at risk of brain impairment due to inflammation from multiple sources of stress.  

We know we live in a stressful world.  Stress is here 24 hours a day.  We need a de-stressing plan so our lives do not snowball into a health crisis.  

You may not be having your own personal opioid crisis but brain impairment may look differently on  you.  It could be an auto-immune condition, pre-diabetes, heart concerns, slow metabolism,  anxiety, asthma, allergies, etc. 

What we call typical health issues that are treated, but not cured, are actually variations of brain impairment.  

We cannot help others if we are ignoring our own brain impairment.  Perhaps you could be ramping up your own self care and upgrading your lifestyle habits.  I believe someone with an opioid problem missed all the other earlier warning signs that could have helped them change course.  But we all can do better with our brain health. 

Chiropractic addresses how the brain is relating to the rest of the body.  Please stick around my blog as I write my follow up postings on how to rethink brain impairment so you can help yourself and your loved ones. 

There is No Justice with Sickness: Why Isn't Prevention Working? (Let's Fix That)

Recent news of Sandra Day O' Connor's public announcement that she has the early stages of Alzheimer's disease causes all of us to face this dilemma. 

I find it perplexing that previous studies have shown people who do puzzles and remain active in the community during their retirement years have less dementia. However, a retired supreme court justice who was busily engaged in public speaking is not immune.

This should give us pause.

The brain is a special organ. While it is protected by the skull, it is susceptible to the triple threat. Something I call the 3 I's: Inflammation, Insulin-Resistance, and Immune System Exhaustion.

We have too many modern stresses that can't be ignored.

Let's address them properly with your chiropractic care.  You may have symptoms that make no sense or you don't realize how the list below is creating the 3 I's in your life. 

Modern Stresses Robbing Us of Our Health

1- Anti-nutrients disguised as food

2- Heavy metals

3- Chemicals (including medications)

4- Brain Immune Burden (Limbic System Dominance and Parasympathetic Failure)

5- Scars

If you want more details and a do-able plan for healing, let's talk.

--Dr. Lisa
Your Health Freedom Advocate

*******

Check out the Keto Krunch Club (We have a facebook page)

Sign up for the Glass-Ceiling Sickness Seminars – Info to break through the non-healing barriers.

"I Slept Wrong" Is Code for I Am In Denial

(Image Courtesy: Keystone Chiropractic)

I've heard this at least once a month if not more often from practice members, "I slept wrong."

People say it so often it is taken for granted.  It is like the boy who cried wolf so many times that no one noticed him anymore.

Yes, I slept wrong last night, and it didn't happen by accident. I woke up today with a sharp ache in my my right shoulder blade.  It was a reminder that I did not follow my usual routine and now I am paying for it. 

I really didn't sleep wrong.  I did a lot of things wrong.  For starters, I stayed up until it was close to midnight.  I typically go to bed at 9:30.   

Also, I seemed to graze all day long, snacking on almond butter and coconut milk.  That doesn't sound too bad, but my intermittent fasting went out the window.  

I didn't eat dinner until after 8 PM.  So, the evening just keeps getting worse. I was in Ithaca and stopped at Green Star to grab something from the hot bar.  And grab, I sure did.  I got a small carton of turkey salad.  Then I noticed some nice samplings of Indian cuisine made with coconut sauce, and another dish with spinach and chick peas.  I couldn't resist a dark chocolate tart either. 

I also took a few bites of my son's chocolate whoopie cookie.  It told him it was made with healthy ingredients.  He was almost in a panic.  He said, "No way."  Well, it was till sweet and carby, but not artificial.  

When I get to bed late I can wake up with a mountainous head ache.  This morning I was lucky.  I felt very dehydrated and stiff.  I managed to escape the head pain.  I don't mean to joke about it, since I know so many people suffer with persistent headaches. I knew I was risking it because I want to stay up on weekends like everyone else.  However, it is just not a smart practice. 

I did not skip my usual bedtime supplements and I believe that helped me stave off the dreaded "I Slept Wrong," scenario.  I take Min-Tran, Min-Chex or Bio-Dent before bed. 

(If you want to know more about my health routine, just ask at your next appointment.)

When people come to me and say they slept wrong, it is usually the straw that broke the camel's back.  Alleviating the muscle tension with an adjustment is helpful, but they have to admit they are constantly feeding the fire of inflammation that gives them pain, brain fog, and low energy.  

There is never one cause.  It is a complex formula of stresses until the body finally throws in the towel and falls down on the job.  It is the perfect storm, as they say.  

The body's sensory system has a high tolerance level.  You can suffer incredible tissue damage in the organs and muscles before you are finally alerted with an uncomfortable and disruptive pain process. 

Mechanical stressors are easy to figure out.  It takes more honest introspection to admit you are exposing yourself to chemical and emotional stress, as well.  They all damage the body the same way.  

Most of the stress we ignore is the stress that requires us to seriously evaluate our lives.  Work demands, family squabbles, and financial difficulty are health wreckers.  If we don't have the courage to face them, our bodies break down.  

Denial is a disease. 

How did I go from a lousy pillow to a life crisis?  

The Perfect Storm......

Let's take care of it.  Take the negative and learn from it.  There so many ways we can incorporate the positive.  First, help your brain with a nice batch of chiropractic adjustments over the next month. 

See you at the table... the adjusting table. 
--Dr. Lisa
--Your Health Freedom Advocate

Why Healthy People Are Lonely (You Don't Have to Be Lonely)

Is it difficult to do healthy things because no one else wants to do it with you?   Do people argue with you when you explain why you want to maintain your health gains?  

This really hit home with me when I read  a recent blog from Mark's Daily Apple titled: I feel better than I ever did in my life. 
The writer said she was almost divorced when she got healthy and her closest family members got sicker. I hate to see people suffer.  Of course, no one wants to see their loved ones suffer, but it's a tricky situation.

I have many practice members who tell their friends when they are going to the chiropractor the response is, "What's wrong with you?"  When they explain they don't have any major problems, the idea of maintenance falls on deaf ears.   

I was ridiculed for running so much.  I really liked to run.  I wondered why people don't ask me questions out of curiosity?  Why do the comments have to be so mean?

So, if you have a devoted work out partner, you are very lucky. 

Diet is another emotionally charged subject.  I was reading a DietDoctor.com poll on Facebook asking people what is the strangest comment they've heard from people regarding their low carb/keto life style.  

One person mentioned how she was doing with intermittent fasting and someone told her it sounded too expensive.  

Another person said friends don't ask her to eat at restaurants anymore and another is left out of vacations because their choices are too problematic.  

How about the person who has quit smoking?  Many typical activities are now off limits in order to avoid temptation. 

Why do we feel less support?  Why do we have to turn to internet friendships when those closest to us don't share our enthusiasm?

I don't have many good answers to the why question.  But I can offer support.  If you are a practice member at my office, you are not alone.  There are plenty of folks who have goals that are similar to yours. You'll find it in the waiting room.  So, don't be shy.  Strike up a conversation.  

See you soon. 
Dr. Lisa

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