What Is Chiropractic? 

The word "chiropractic" comes from the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action) and literally means "done by hand."  Instead of prescribing drugs or performing surgeries, chiropractors use manual treatments of the spine and joints, exercise therapy, massage, trigger point therapy and lifestyle changes to allow the body's natural state of health to fully express itself.

Like conventional medicine, chiropractic is based upon scientific principles of diagnosis through testing and empirical observations. Treatment is based upon the practitioner's rigorous training and clinical experience.  Unlike conventional medicine, which focuses on attempting to treat disease once it occurs, chiropractic attempts to improve the health of the individual in an effort to avoid illness in the first place.  Most people would rather be healthy and avoid illness, if they could.  This is one of the main reasons for the big upsurge in the popularity of chiropractic.  People are recognizing the benefit of seeking an alternative to traditional medicine; one that will help them achieve and maintain optimal health.

Chiropractors understand that one of the main causes of pain and disease is the misalignment and abnormal motion of the vertebrae in the spinal column called a subluxation.  Chiropractic works by removing these subluxations in the spine, thereby relieving pressure and irritation on the nerves, restoring joint mobility, and returning the body back to a state of normal function.

 

Dr. Ernst, Chiropractor and Clinic director for Shelton and Hoodsport Chiropractic.  Dr. Ernst enjoys helping the patient reach their potential health and well being through chiropractic.  Dr. Ernst and Shannon have 4 children and one grandchild.

Dr. Morson is our token Canadian chiropractor, contributing to the multicultural feel of the office- not really eh!  He is a 2002 graduate of the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, and has been practicing chiropractic in the South Sound since 2003.  He lives in Shelton with his wife and 4 young children, and  enjoys aviation in his free time.

Shannon Ernst is our Office Manager and the better half of Dr. Ernst!! :) We have been in Shelton since 1998, We enjoy the beauty of this area and the small community. We have a great staff at Shelton Chiropractic and Hoodsport Chiropractic, and we are here to help you!

Carolyn H.; She's back:) Carolyn returns to our office after a brief retirement.  Happy to have her back to help you with any office needs.

Erika, Chiropractic Assistant.  My Husband Curtis and I moved from North Bend to Shelton in 2005. Including Shelton Chiropractic I have nine years experience working with chiropractic. When I'm not at work you will most likely find me knitting on some project. Look forward to seeing you soon at Shelton Chiropractic Center.  

Carolyne W. Chiropractic Assistant started at Shelton Chiropractic July 2007 she is learning the ropes and is eager to help you.

Kristin, massage therapist, joined Shelton Chiropractic in 2000. She specializes in deep tissue and personal injury work. Kristin also works part time as our office manager/massage therapist in our Hoodsport office.

Jennifer, massage therapist, graduated from Massage School in August of 2000 and has worked at Shelton Chiropractic since April of 2005. She lives here in Shelton with her husband and two daughters.

Abbey, massage therapist, licensed in 2001.  Abbey lives in Shelton and loves the small town community.  Over the last three years, Abbey lived in Germany, a great experience, but she is "very happy to be home!"

-JJ Virgin, PhD, CNS/Celebrity Wellness Expert

In my work on the Dr. Phil Show, the entire crew utilizes Chiropractic care.  We have directly seen its positive effects on our own health and well being. But more so, we have keenly observed those guests on the show in our "Biggest Loser" segments that do not use Chiropractic care.  The difference in overall health is markedly different. 

It is my sincerest suggestion to you that the greatest gift you can give yourself, and those of whom you love, as well as those that love you, is the gift of health and well being. Your Chiropractor is an expert in these areas. Please ask for suggestions to make your life and the life of your loved ones the very best it can be.

We all live under trying life circumstances especially in the current world environment. As such it is vital to stay on top of your health game.  Below are some of my favorite personal tips for you. Your Doctor of Chiropractic is an expert in these areas also. Please feel free to discuss these with your Doctor on your next visit.       

     *Become produce aisle explorers and introduce a new veggie each week. Make this fun as you stand in the fresh produce aisle of their supermarket. Choose something that looks intriguing and then find a healthy way to make it. You can't go wrong by steaming veggies, roasting or stir frying them in a bit of EVOO. It's all about the spices here, too.  I love to add Italian spices and fresh garlic to veggies.  You can even sprinkle a bit of mozzarella or goat cheese on top with marinara sauce to disguise the veggies for patients who have children (or who just want a little zip with their veggies).

       *Don't be a fast food victim in 2010. Make sure that you keep some healthy 911 emergency foods on hand so that you never miss a meal.  In this busy world, we're always running...and sometimes run out of gas. That's when it's so tempting to drive through those Golden Arches or proclaim a burger as your king. I suggest you always bring nuts, veggies and an apple with them for 911 moments. These are also great for long car rides and for plane trips, too.  If you have a snack at the ready, they will avoid fast food stops or quick snack foods that are almost always just a carb bomb.  

     *Remember that snacking isn't necessary. Eat three balanced meals a day that have optimal protein, healthy fats, high fiber carbs and non starchy veggies . You will feel full and have great steady energy. 100-calorie snack packs or this constant eating of small snacks turns your bodies into sugar burning machines instead of fat burning machines.  We've been duped as a society to believe that we need to eat six times a day, which is just craziness and has led to this obesity epidemic.  

     *I suggest you discover one de-stressing technique that will work for you this year. Maybe it's listening to loud music or doing a meditation. Perhaps lock themselves in the bathroom and take a steamy hot tub to relax or they'll take an extra walk to the park with the dog. The idea here is that life will always be stressful and you need a release. Schedule in the 10-20 minutes a day that will de-stress you. Make a formal appointment with yourself and keep it.  

     *Most of all do what I do and stay under regular Chiropractic care to make sure your nervous system (Which runs and controls your entire body) stays working at its maximum potential. Without a properly working nervous system, it doesn't matter how good the food you eat is, or what the nutrition is you take in. It will simply never work to the health potential that it will with a proper nervous supply.

 

ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a relatively common condition that tends to emerge in children during their early school years. The most common signs of ADHD are:

-Inattention

-Hyperactivity

-Impulsive Behavior

-Difficulty Concentrating

It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent of children have ADHD - approximately 2 million children in the United States - and is much more common in boys than girls. This means that in a classroom of 25 to 30 children, it is likely that at least one will have ADHD. However, because many normal children may show some of these same behaviors as well, it is important that a child receive a thorough examination and appropriate diagnosis before any treatment is considered.

It is not entirely certain what causes ADHD, but the current thought is that it is a combination of an overactive nervous system, coupled with a decrease in the brain's ability to filter out extraneous sights, sounds, thoughts and emotions. Although chiropractors don't directly treat ADHD, there are a number of things that your chiropractor can do to help eliminate things that stress a child's nervous system, such as:

 -Remove spinal subluxations that irritate the nervous system

-Suggest dietary changes to avoid common problem foods

-Test for allergies that may be stressing the nervous system

-Suggest changes to the home to help reduce exposure to toxic chemicals

 The most common medical treatment is the use of the drug methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin. Ritalin is actually a stimulant drug that normally speeds up the activity of the nervous system. But for reasons that are not entirely clear, it tends to have a calming effect on those who suffer from ADHD; possibly by increasing the activity in the area of the brain responsible for filtering out extraneous sensation.  

The problem with taking Ritalin is that it does not do anything to resolve the cause of the ADHD, it only masks the symptoms. Continued use of Ritalin over long periods of time has also been shown to have detrimental effects on the brain itself. It is important as a parent to look at all treatment options before placing your child on Ritalin and chiropractic care is a great place to start. Contact us today!

 

 

Holiday Coupon

If you have a friend or loved one that you feel could benefit from drugless Chiropractic Care, simply call our off at the above number and mention the Holiday Coupon program which enables family members, friends, and loved ones, receive a consultation, examination, and X rays if needed, complimentary.

****THIS SPECIAL PROGRAM EXPIRES JANUARY 31st, 2010****

Just call the office at the above number or respond to this newsletter before January 31st and mention the Holiday Coupon Program to make your/their appointment.  The greatest gift we can give to someone else is the gift of drugless health.

 

Please call our office for your appointment today!