IN Penn Hills Winter 2016 | Page 21

SPECIAL SECTION: HEALTHY LIVING 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 u u 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. u u 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. 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 u u Penn Hills | Winter 2016 | icmags.com 19