HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
are experiencing rather than taking medication.
Chiropractic care can start by addressing general
wellness or looking directly at disease prevention.
Patients have reported several health benefits
including:
• Improved sleep
• More energy
• Better mood
• Reduced need for medication
• Relief from pain
Some general ways to keep your back and neck
healthy are regular exercise, stress management,
proper posture, healthy weight, nutrition for strong
bones, wearing appropriate shoes, and not smoking.
Diet
Nutrition
Clean eating focuses on the quality and type of food you eat
– consuming a variety of whole foods and avoiding processed
foods containing trans fats, preservatives, color additives, refined
grains, and added sugars. How do you navigate the clean eating
options available to you? Use these tips below:
Genetically modified (GMO) vs. non-GMO – GMOs
are living organisms that have been altered in some way, with
growing evidence linking them to health problems. A Non-
GMO label ensures that the product does not contain GMOs.
Best advice? This one is easy! ALWAYS go for non-GMO.
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.
• Wear shoes that fit properly.
• Don’t ignore discolored or cracking toenails.
• Wear shoes in public places to avoid fungal
infections.
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 well-being. 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.
• Surround yourself with people who make you
happy.
• Meditate and/or pray to provide yourself with time
to silently reflect on all of the positive aspects of life.
• Try something new to break away from the daily
grind.
• Get help when you feel like you cannot help
yourself. ■
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Locally sourced vs. organic – Organic foods are grown
using environmentally friendly agricultural methods and
renewable resources, meeting the standards verified by the
USDA. Any animal products you buy, such as organic meat,
poultry, eggs and dairy products, will be hormone and antibiotic
free. Organic vegetables will be free of harmful pesticides and
fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or bioengineering.
Locally sourced organic options are even better, allowing you to
ask farmers directly about their practices.
Best advice? It’s best to buy locally sourced organic food
whenever possible, but when that’s not, stick to organic.
Wild vs. farm-raised – Wild fish are caught in the wild and
feed on a natural diet, but are often higher in mercury, and some
fishing methods can harm the ocean habitat. Farm-raised may
have more contamination from toxic chemicals and are prone to
higher rates of bacteria and pesticides from crowded conditions.
Yet conditions for farmed fish are improving, with some being
sustainably farmed.
Best advice? Make your decision based on the type of fish you
are purchasing. Your local fishmonger will be able to provide you
with valuable insights.