SPECIAL SECTION: HEALTHY LIVING
There are many factors that determine bone
health, the most common being age. Bones
become thinner as we age, with women being
at greater risk of osteoporosis because they
have less bone tissue than men. Genetics
and race also play a large role. Those who
are white or of Asian descent are at a greater
risk, as are those with a family history of
osteoporosis. Too much of the thyroid
hormone can cause bone loss and women
are likely to experience increased bone loss
during menopause due to a decrease in
estrogen levels. After long-term use, some
medications may also cause bone loss.
It is important to ensure proper health and
nutrition for bones to stay strong throughout
your life. Adequate calcium intake and
physical activity can help keep bones healthy.
Chiropractic Care
Back pain is one of Americans’ most
common medical ailments and chiropractic
care is a natural, drug-free way to combat
pain. The nervous system controls all of the
cells and organs in your body, which is why
chiropractors focus on the health of the spine
being properly aligned.
Chiropractic care can be a resource for
patients suffering from a variety of different
conditions such as lower back pain, neck
pain, headaches, fibromyalgia, sciatica,
spinal stenosis, ear infections, neurological
conditions, or scoliosis. Patients with these
types of issues often seek professional
chiropractic therapy to relieve the pain
they are experiencing rather than taking
medication to relieve their ailments.
Chiropractic care can start by addressing
general wellness or looks directly at disease
prevention.
Making an appointment to visit a
chiropractor can provide several health
benefits including:
Improved sleep
More energy
u Better mood
u Reduced need for medication
u Relief from pain
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Foot Health
It is important to stay healthy from head to
toe, including your feet. There are 26 bones
and 33 joints in your foot and ankle, making
the possibility for issues very high. From
sprains and fractures, to ingrown toenails,
bunions, corns, and athlete’s foot, we may
find ourselves hiding our foot problems in
a pair of shoes. But overlooking foot health
can lead to greater problems if left untreated.
Taking a few simple steps to ensure foot
health is easy to do:
Keep feet clean and dry.
Make sure to trim toenails regularly and
straight across.
u Wear shoes that fit properly.
u Don’t ignore discolored or cracking
toenails.
u Wear shoes in public places to avoid
fungal infections.
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Overall Health
Overall health and well-being starts from
the inside out. Begin by providing your
body with the nutrients it needs to work
properly. You will have more energy and feel
better every single day that you eat healthy,
nutritious foods, drink plenty of water, and
get in some exercise. While physical wellness
is crucial for a healthy life, it is important not
to overlook mental wellness. This includes
emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. Mental health is important throughout
all stages of life from childhood to adulthood.
While good physical health directly affects
mental health, you should care for your
mental health in different ways.
Love yourself and treat yourself with
kindness and respect.
u Surround yourself with people who
make you happy.
u Meditate and/or pray to provide
yourself with time to silently reflect on
all of the positive aspects of life.
u Try something new to break away from
the daily grind.
u Get help when you feel like you cannot
help yourself. n
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Bethel Park | Winter 2016 | icmags.com 37