HEALTH & WELLNESS S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
• Keep your hands off your face.
• Sanitize your cell phone.
Pet Health
• Change up your pet’s exercise routine – Outdoor walks may be
limited in cold winter months, so change your play routine to ensure
adequate exercise for your pet. See if your community has an indoor
recreation area to get out some energy.
• Adjust food portion sizes – To accommodate the fl uctuation in
activity, adjust the amount of food and treats you give to your pet.
Avoiding weight gain during months that your pet is more sedentary is
important.
• Limit bathing – Natural oils help your pet maintain a healthy coat
during dry winter months. Be sure to keep bathing to a minimum to
reduce skin issues. If you need to bathe your pets, be sure to dry them
thoroughly, even if they are staying in the house.
• Pets need moisturizer, too – In addition to limiting baths, help
prevent dry skin with coconut oil, a natural moisturizer that can aid
fl aky or cracking skin.
• Wipe away chemicals – Wash and dry your pet’s paws and stomach to
remove chemicals from road salt aft er outdoor walks. Th ese chemicals
can cause burns to paws and skin if not removed (plus you don’t want
them in your house). If your dog has furry feet, trim the fur between
the pads to prevent build-up of ice and snow.
• Prevent burns – Block off heat sources such as fi replaces and space
heaters to prevent burns and accidents.
• Warm bed – Keep your pet’s sleeping area away from draft y doors and
cold fl oors. Providing a cozy bed will help keep pets warm during cold
months.
• Watch for hazardous edibles – Keep holiday ornaments, lights,
poinsett ias, alcohol, and chocolate out of reach to prevent accidental
ingestion. If you suspect your pet has ingested something hazardous,
call your vet immediately.
• Never leave your pet unatt ended in the car – No matt er what season
it is, do not leave your pet in the car. Freezing cold temperatures are
equally as dangerous as the heat of the summer months. Leave your
pet at home, or fi nd a pet sitt er to stop by to visit while you’re out.
Bones
Bones are an important part of your body but
oft en forgott en. Th ey protect vital organs and provide
structure to your body. Building and maintaining strong
bones is important from childhood to adulthood.
Th ere are many factors that determine bone health,
the most common being age. Bones become thinner
as we age, with women at greater risk of osteoporosis
because they have less bone tissue than men. Genetics
and race also play a large role. Th ose 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. With 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.
Back and Neck Care
Back pain is one of Americans’ most common
medical ailments. Chiropractic and other specialized
care centers can be a resource for patients suff ering
from a variety of conditions such as lower back pain,
neck pain, headaches, fi bromyalgia, sciatica, spinal
stenosis, ear infections, neurological conditions, or
scoliosis. Th e nervous system controls all of the cells
and organs in your body, which is why chiropractors
focus on the health and proper alignment of the spine.
Patients with the types of issues above oft en seek
professional chiropractic therapy to relieve the pain
they 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 benefi ts including:
• Improved sleep
• More energy
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