By: Dr. Kati Schwabe, DC

You’ve all seen them…those large cylindrical foam pieces lying around the gym.  They range from 12 to 36 inches long and are about 6 inches in diameter.   Sometimes they’re even cut in half so that they have one flat edge.

Foam rolling has been around for quite awhile in the realm of Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Athletic Trainers, and professional athletics and now we’re starting to see them much more often in the general population.

Types of foam rollers:  vary in cost, comfort and durability
Soft white foam is great for beginners, injuries, and sensitive tissues.
Graduate to a more dense foam.  It will typically last a bit longer than the softer rollers
Try a knobby foam roller for more specific trigger point work.  Be careful with these, however, as you can easily overdo it if you’re a bit too aggressive.

The technical stuff:  Foam rolling is more than just stretching.
It’s self-myofascial release and it works by something called autogenic inhibition.  Our tendons, which attach muscle to bone, have nerve endings Read the rest of this entry →

By: Jenny Wetzel, Office Manager

With our focus on Omega 3′s this week, I have been hearing about, and doing a little research on, the benefit of Omega 3′s with people who have ADHD symptoms.  Here is a pretty concise article highlighting the reasons why Fish Oil can be a great alternative treatment for ADHD.  As a side note, we like the Omega 3.6.9 liquid from Biogenesis that comes in a yummy lemon flavored liquid!

Alternative ADHD Treatment: Fish Oil

Research on alternative ADHD treatments suggests a daily fish oil capsule can help curb the symptoms of attention deficit without medication.

by Tina Adler

Could a daily fish oil capsule help curb the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD ADHD) in children and adults? alternative ADHD treatment really help?

Quite possibly, suggests the latest research – including a study published in the May 5, 2005, issue of Pediatrics. “A lack of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids may contribute to dyslexia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,” reports one of the study’s authors, Paul Montgomery, D.Phil., a researcher in the psychiatry department at the University of Oxford in Read the rest of this entry →

By: Dr. Jake Simpson, DC

Yep, it is golf season (all outdoor activities season actually) and with that comes injuries….Even for the greatest in the world.   Seen in the picture below is Rory McIlroy (2011 U.S. Open Champion on the PGA Tour) with Kinesiotape on his wrist.  Yesterday after swinging, Rory immediately grabbed his wrist due to pain.  It wasn’t but moments later one of the members of the medical staff taped him up with Kinesiotape (the light brown tape coming out from under the white tape).  This enabled him to finish out his round before getting a more detailed exam.  If it works for the professionals it can certainly work for you.  If you are ailing with some nagging injury, give us a call at Washington Park Chiropractic and you too can see the wonders of Kinesiotape.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/44118855/ns/sports-golf/

We here at Wash Park Chiro would like to celebrate Oprah’s last season by presenting our fans with a list of our favorite things. This blog may not be as exciting as Oprah’s Favorite Things show, but we hope you enjoy it!! 

Dr. Goodman’s Favorite Things:

Cal/Mg Supplement

“One of my favorite things is Cal/Mag Supplement by Biogenesis.  Most people know calcium is good for your bones (& Magnesium helps with absorption of Calcium).  But often overlooked is that calcium is necessary for your muscles.  Muscles work efficiently when they have a good balance Read the rest of this entry →

By: Ashley Bennett, LMT

I recently watched a documentary called No Impact Man; about a man in NYC doing a year long experiment to try and eliminate his carbon footprint.  I decided I would try a month without any artificial light sources (including TV!), just the sun and candles.  I am now approaching week three and I must admit that I am really enjoying it!  I have found time to make deeper connections with my loved ones and to be more still.  It has also given me a new perspective on my day, because lets face it there are some things that I just can’t accomplish with just candle light. One physical benefit that I have noticed is my sleep patterns are much healthier.  I am a bit of a night person so being awake at 1am was not something out of the ordinary for me.  I now find myself struggling to stay awake at 11.  It has made me unwind from the day and relax into the evening.  I am not distracted by a glowing television or lights trying to convince me to stay awake for a couple more hours.  

Healthy individuals have high levels of melatonin. Melatonin, the principle hormone responsible for sleep, regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Darkness stimulates the production of melatonin (which I am now benefiting from!) in the pineal gland while light induces its breakdown. You can find supplements for melatonin, but the best kind is made naturally!

This experiment may become closer to a permanent thing!!!

Tommy in his Tee

Baby Sophia in her Tee

Emily in her Tee

T-Shirt Photo

Contest

Do you have one of our “How’s My Posture?” t-shirts?  Our comfy green t-shirts will be back soon by popular demand for only $15!  This is or will be one of the most comfy and funny tees you own (while also supporting your favorite Wash Park Chiropractor!

Email (drlisagoodman@yahoo.com) or post on Facebook a photo of:

• You in your green t-shirt
• Your child in their toddler tee
• Your infant in their grey onsie

Get entered in our photo contest!  Every time we have 50 photos we will draw for prizes including:

• Full Year of Chiropractic Care (1x per month)
• Six Months of Chiropractic Care (1x per month)
• 60 Minute Massage

Be Creative!  Have you worn your tee somewhere unusual?  We really want to see the babies in our onsies!  Send in those photos today.

By: Emily Cooley

I’ve started noticing that as the week progresses, my coffee intake slowly increases from 1 cup on Monday to 3 by Friday. So in an effort to decrease the amount of caffeine I consume, I have tried to find other energy-altering foods. Here’s just a taste of what I discovered:

There are numerous foods that have been tested and proven to help improve concentration and brain function. You can literally eat your way to improved concentration.

Whole Grains for Concentration and Brain Activity

Whole grain foods, such as oats, buckwheat, popcorn, barley, wheat berries, and more can help with your concentration. These foods have been proven to increase the flow of oxygen to the brain, through increased blood flow, and this makes the brain more active.

By adding more whole grain foods to your diet, and especially snacking on whole grains between meals, you will notice that you not only have a greater level of concentration and that your thoughts are clearer, but also that your memory has improved.

Read the rest of this entry →

Sleep has always given me trouble. I was diagnosed with insomnia in my early teens and the more medication the doctors put me on, the harder it became to crash during the night. My obsession with clocks and making sure I was getting an ample amount of sleep for the following day made me anxious. Too anxious to sleep. I would find myself awake standing over the clock, with only moments since I had last checked the time. When I left for college my sleep problems doubled. Sharing a room with a stranger does not lead to a restful night of sleeping. Today I use melatonin every night, and the best part? It’s all natural! After so many years of dead ends I decided to dive into why melatonin is so affective.

The article stresses the importance of good ’sleep hygiene’. Sleep hygiene refers to following good practices around sleep to help to eliminate problems. For example, not having caffeine after mid-day, getting exercise, not watching TV in bed, doing low stimulus activities prior to sleep (i.e. reading) etc. Sleep hygiene can make a difference, but often it’s not enough to help everyone.

Read the rest of this entry →