I KNOW I have a PROBLEM
What IS my problem? Why can’t I “just say ‘No’”? I’m a grown woman. I know better.
I’m intelligent and nutritionally well informed; so WHY can’t I walk away from the ___________?? (Insert your food demon issue here)
Because all the diet info in the world won’t address the issues of our hearts and minds when it comes to using food for things OTHER than fuel.
Like what?
Most typically comfort, celebration, or even to numb unpleasant feelings like anxiety, fear, depression.
Food can be a fabulous distraction in the moment—it WORKS!—or we wouldn’t keep using it!
But the shame, regret and excess weight that follow our emotional eating can seem overwhelming, often causing us to feel that we may never change. Some have
even tried to adopt acceptance, as in “I was just meant to be fat. I’m tired of failing, I can’t ever change.”
But true acceptance paves the way to peace and this pseudo-acceptance never does.
Because it’s NOT TRUE! We weren’t created to live in bondage to food! IT was created for our sustenance and enjoyment and there IS a path through!
Are you ready to make a REAL change from the inside out?
Join us this January on Mondays as we meet in a small group setting to gain insight and understanding into this challenge.
We will help you navigate your issues and give you tools that can enable you to make lasting changes in your relationship with food.
Sign up below - Groups meet Monday from 630-8pm -
Daily Stretches for Better Back Health
Daily Stretches
Perform each stretch 3-5x/day or as many times as you are comfortable. Always breathe
properly while doing stretches: in through your nose, out through your mouth.
Neck Stretches:
Stand with feet flat on floor, knees slightly bent, head facing forward
Tilt head slowly forward, bringing the chin to the chest
Turn head to left very slowly until chin over left shoulder (repeat to the right)
Tilt head slowly to the left, bringing ear over left shoulder (repeat to the right)
Shoulder Rolls:
Stand with feet flat on floor, knees slightly bent, head facing forward
Slowly roll shoulders forward 10 times, beginning with smaller circles and
progressing towards larger circles
Repeat previous step, rolling shoulders backwards instead of forwards
Hamstring Stretch (Standing)
Stand with one leg straight out, resting leg on a table or chair
Slowly bend leg you are standing on until you feel a stretch under thigh of raised
leg, hold
Return to starting position, repeat with other leg
Piriformis Stretch (Seated)
Sit in a chair with one ankle resting on the knee of opposite leg (figure 4)
Push down on knee of elevated leg, lean forward until stretching is felt, hold
Repeat with opposite leg
Hip Twists
Lie flat on back with knees bent, feet flat on floor
Slowly rotate hips to the left, lowering legs down to the floor until a mild stretch is felt,
hold
Return to starting position, repeat rotating hips to the right, hold
Back Extensions
Lie on stomach and prop up on elbows, extending back
Slowly begin to straighten elbows, further extending the back, until mild stretch
is felt, hold
Back Pain? Sciatica? Numbness/Tingling? Tension?
Call Today for a Chiropractic Appointment! 704-543-5540 or visit us online to schedule www.CharlotteNaturalWellness.com
5 Tips for Better Back Health
Maintaining Good Back Health
Follow these Suggestions Daily to Help Prevent Back Pain/Injury
1. No Slouching: Having your shoulders in front of your hips will cause you many problems. Poor posture can increase your risk of back injury. Slouching in your chair, standing incorrectly, and driving hunched over causes misalignment of the spine. Try taking a deep breath while slouched then try taking a deep breath with good posture. See how much of an impact poor posture makes on just that?
2. Lots of Water: Enough water keeps us fluid, rather than stiff. Drinking plenty of water enhances the height of inter vertebral discs, making them even better shock absorbent like they’re intended to do.
3. Fitness: Exercise and activity keep the muscles of the spine strong. The most important muscles to focus on to avoid back pain are the abdominal. Daily stretching routines are encouraged to avoid stiffness.
4. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight is overall and excellent way to prevent a lot of diseases and discomfort. For the spine, being active helps avoid compression and loading of the inter vertebral discs, prevents postural abnormalities (such as anterior pelvic tilt or the booty pop as I like to call it), and interrupts a sedentary lifestyle.
5. Sleep Well: Ask your chiropractor what the best sleeping position is, to reduce unnecessary strains on your back or neck. Sleep on a comfortable mattress with the appropriate pillow, instead of a couch or recliner. Avoid sleeping on your stomach (this is the worst sleeping position). Try sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs, or your back with a pillow under your knees.
Does your back need some TLC?
Call Today for a Chiropractic Adjustment - 704-543-5540
Reduce Stress & Improve Tension with Chiropractic
Did you know that when your spine is not in alignment it can cause extra stress and tension?
Did you know if your neck vertebrae/bones are slightly off it can increase chances of ear infection?
Did you know that sinus and allergies could be worse if your neck is out of alignment?
Did you know that if your knees are hurting it's usually associated with a slight mis-alignment of your hips and lower back.
We get our cars aligned, but not our spine.
When was your last body 'tune- up'??
Dr. Mikaela Henson is different from other Chiropractors. She uses a gentle - yet very effective form of chiropractic that is individualized to the person.
She can use different testing methods to determine what adjustment you need.
She uses a hand device called an 'activator' that helps to bring a gentle adjustment- with out the force of the twisting and jumping.
Call TODAY to speak with her about her techniques during a FREE 15 minute consultation.
Dr. Henson can see the whole Family - from infants to the elderly she has techniques that can help all!
Ways to REDUCE Stress & Improve Work Ability - Prevent that Pain in the NECK!
Workplace Ergonomics and Daily Stress Relief
By : Dr. Mikaela Henson
What is Ergonomics?
Workplace ergonomics is a continuous effort to design the workplace for what people do well, and against what people don’t do well. Happy, healthy employees produce much more positive outcomes for the employer. The goal of workplace ergonomics is to provide a positive working environment, including office equipment and design, along with the overall office environment.
Many common musculoskeletal disorders, including carpal tunnel, are caused by gradual exposure over a long period to low-level harmful risk factors. The three top risk factors in the office setting are: awkward posture, high force, or long frequency.
Setting up your Optimal Workspace
There are four things to focus on when setting up your office workspace. These four things include: eyes to the source, hands to input devices, feet to the floor, and body to the chair.
Chair: Should be height adjustable, have a backrest that tilts forwards and backwards, and offers a lumbar support
Keyboard: Should lie flat and offer slope adjust-ability, up to 15* slope
Monitor: Adjustable brightness and contrast, free from flicker and adjustable tilt
Wrist Rest: Compressible or soft material to reduce external pressure to the wrist, with a non-friction surface
Headset: Should be digital, instead of analog, offer a quick-disconnect capability, and hands-free sets are the most optimal
Footrest: Height adjustable from 11” to 18”
Laptops: Use an external mouse and keyboard for extended periods of computer use, take frequent breaks, and try to change posture throughout usage
Preventing Text Neck
Raise the Phone: Move the phone (and other devices) closer to eye level so the head doesn’t have to tilt forward
Take Frequent Breaks: Most phones and devices now have technology that tracks each individuals screen time. It is recommended to not spend more than one hour a day on screen time. Try setting locks after a set period of time on your phone or devices to prevent extended use
Stand up Straight: Good posture, with the chin tucked in and shoulders pulled back, keeps the spine in a neutral position. This helps unwanted increased pressure loads on the spine.
Chin Tucks: While stopped at stop lights throughout daily drives, work on bringing your head back, giving yourself a double chin. This will help decrease anterior head carriage, or Text Neck, and bring your cervical (neck) curve back to normal.
Lastly, Try Reducing Stress
Reducing stress will help the body heal better and faster, along with preventing further diseases from developing. Some good stress-relieving techniques are:
Daily Meditation
Deep Breathing Techniques and Yoga
Decompress
Laugh out Loud
Crank up the Tunes
Get Moving
Each day think of something that happened that day to be thankful for
Ready for a better back health? Less stress and tension? Give us a call for a Chiropractic Adjustment today! 704-543-5540
Improve Pregnancy Delivery Outcomes with Chiropractic
Pregnancy, Children, and Chiropractic
Improve Pregnancy, Delivery Outcomes, & Chiropractic
Chiropractic care before conception promotes a more regular menstrual cycle and optimal uterine function. Restoring proper nerve supply to the reproductive organs has actually helped many people who thought they were infertile. Then utilizing chiropractic throughout pregnancy, promotes a healthier pregnancy, leading towards an easier labor and delivery, along with a better transition for the baby into this world.
As a woman gains weight throughout her pregnancy, a downward, forward pull on the spine is exerted. This causes a change in gait (walking) along with the center of gravity, leading to back and neck pain. Later in pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin is secreted, which loosens ligaments. The positioning of the baby and its movement, along with the expansion of the rib cage to accommodate your growing baby, can cause discomfort in the ribs and upper part of the lower back.
Recent studies have shown that utilizing chiropractic care may result in an easier pregnancy, with increased comfort in the third trimester and delivery, as well as reduced needs for pain medications. One study showed that women utilizing chiropractic for their first pregnancy had 24% reduction in labor times, with women on their 2nd and 3rd pregnancies having a 39% reduction in shorter labor times.
As your pregnancy advances, the chiropractic technique will be modified for your comfort. Specially designed pregnancy pillows, along with tables with a drop-away pelvic piece, will accommodate your growing belly. The Webster technique addresses uterine constraint or mal-presentations. The chiropractor will check for misalignment of the pelvic bones, sacrum, and vertebrae, as well as check for spasms of the ligaments that support the uterus and help hold the pelvis together.
Safety for your Infant
There are so many things to learn when becoming a new mother. One of the most important things to learn are safety facts for infants 0-3 years. One good website for safety tips for your baby is on the CDC’s (Center for Disease Control) page: https://www.cdc.gov/parents/infants/safety.html
Another helpful link for articles on children is from the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association). Many research articles are provided on this website for all parents, including one article on baby carriers, which can be found here: http://icpa4kids.org/Wellness-Articles/baby-wearing-suggestions-for-carrying-your-baby-a-chiropractic-perspective/All-Pages.html
One last article that may be found helpful for older children and safety tips can be found here:
https://www.chirocare.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Child-Back-Health_04042.pdf
Please talk to your physician about any questions or concerns you may have with pregnancy or your child.
Interested in Chiropractic?? Feel free to Schedule today!! :) We have plans for the WHOLE Family. 704-543-5540
Emotional Eating Revealed - 3 Questions to Ask yourself...
Everyone has done it.
Stress is through the rough and when things are crazy and hitting the fan, many go to grab that one thing that will make it ALL better.
What's your thing? Is it chocolate? Alcohol? Starbucks?
Or more the salty savory chips, pretzels, or pizza?
We are all trained from a young age to sooth ourselves using food.
Ask yourself, what is the first thing you give a crying baby? A bottle.
What's one thing some doctors offices give a child after he or she gets a shot? Candy.
Challenge yourself next time you are feeling stressed - instead of grabbing that beer or chocolate bar - go for a walk, go to the gym, call a friend, or just sit and breathe deep. It will change your life.
Here are 3 questions to ask yourself to being the journey of change for the BETTER> The KEY is to give yourself GRACE and ask yourself the following:
- WHY am I eating this WHOLE bag of chips right NOW?
- Am I REALLY hungry or just STRESSED?
- WHAT true EMOTION is underlying this situation?
Once you have the answers you can identify the REASON, which will shed light on the WHY.
Then work on managing this WHY in a healthier WAY. :)
Easier said than done, right?? YES!
If this is something you are struggling with and have so for a while, you are NOT ALONE! :)
EVERYONE has an issue with this, and we are all in this together.
The SOONER you change this pattern, the sooner you will see vast improvements in your health and wellness.
Know yourself BETTER, LEARN to take care of yourself at a DEEPER level - only then can we achieve LASTING health benefits!!
If you are interested, shoot us an email at info@charlottenaturalwellness-com -- in the next bit we will have a program that will help to CHANGE the root of this behavior.
We will meet once a week for several months to put a stop to it. BEST of all - you will have the support of many to help you through it, cause we ALL need help in this area.
:) 704-543-5540
The definition of emotional eating is when the desire to eat is being driven by a feeling or emotion rather than driven by actual hunger.
Dani Spies, the creator of Cleananddelicious.com states that "Some emotion arises that makes us uncomfortable
Save your Ta Ta's !! 5 Warning Signs to look for - and what to do about it.
Written by Dr. Megan Ding, ND
-
Breast pain
-
Cysts of lumps
-
Fibrocystic changes
-
Breast Tenderness
-
Change in breast size
Welcome Dr. Mikaela Henson Chiropractor !!!
We are super excited to announce the addition of a wonderful and experienced doctor, Dr Mikaela Henson.
She has extensive experience in Gentle, yet very effective chiropractic working with a diverse patient base, from professional ballerinas to the police department in Kansas.
She uses a range of skills to hone in on what the individual needs to help improve the following:
- Back, Neck, or shoulder pain
- Trigger points
- Prenatal women struggling with hip and back pains
- Chronic ear infections and sinus issues.
Dr. Mikaela loves helping her community by volunteering
with the Special Olympics, where she taught kids how to ski and
snowboard.
Dr. Mikaela Henson is a native of Kansas City, Missouri. She started
her career in the health and sciences industry in 2008 when she
earned her Bachelor’s degrees in biology and chemistry from Park
University.
After being introduced to chiropractic at an early age, she
believed in the body’s natural ability to heal itself; the idea of treating
the cause of disease, not just the symptoms.
Dr. Mikaela graduated
from Cleveland Chiropractic College with a Doctorate degree in
Chiropractic in December 2014.
Dr. Mikaela Henson is a native of Kansas City, Missouri. She started
her career in the health and sciences industry in 2008 when she
earned her Bachelor’s degrees in biology and chemistry from Park
University.
Click here, to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mikaela or schedule a phone appointment with her to find out more information.
New patient appointments are $100, Follow up appointments are $55.
Monthly plans are available as well.
Welcome Dr. Monica Vaghela to Charlotte Natural Wellness!!
Charlotte Natural Wellness Welcomes Dr. Monica Vaghela!!
Just Moved from the West Coast
Dr. Monica Vaghela has recently moved back to the Charlotte area with her husband and their dog. She graduated from UNCC with a BS in Biology and went to Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine for her doctorate degree.
She uses an integrative approach in patient care by looking at the whole person and finding the root cause. She has experience with a variety of patient types that range from working with refugees to professional athletes.
Specializes in:
Dr. Vaghela provides care in endocrine support, such as:
- Thyroid issues
- Diabetes
- Hormone imbalances
- Weight management
- Stress management.
How she is different:
She takes the time to listen to her patients to provide the best possible care using various modalities, such as:
- Ayurveda
- Homeopathy
- Nutritional therapies, like botanical medicine.
What is Ayuveda?
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medicine is based wellness of the mind, body, and spirit together.
- These come together to make one of three doshas or body types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
- First step is to determine what one's dosha / body type is, then customized recommendations are made.
- Recommendations on foods, exercises, and other lifestyle changes are made to promote overall wellness for your body based on your dosha.
- Ayuveda focuses on customizing diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes to improve health - instead of just supplements.
Patient education is very important to Dr. Vaghela, and she spends a great deal of time ensuring that the patient understands the reasoning behind the illness and provides the tools for the body’s innate healing ability. She has hosted several educational talks and appeared on numerous news channels discussing various health topics.
Recognition & Awards:
Dr. Vaghela was recognized in her field in Natural Awakenings Phoenix Edition two consecutive years in a row:
- 2014 & 2015 Natural Choice Awards and in the Arizona Health
- Living Magazine as a leader in community outreach.
Interested in learning more about Dr. Vaghela?
Would you like a FREE 15 minute phone consultation with her?
Back to School Immune Tips - 3 Tips for Better Health
Back to School Time!
On top of BACK TO SCHOOL W COVID. - ???
My kids will return to school, for 2 days a week. Shrug, not sure how that will work, but we are doing our best with what we have, focusing on the positive!
Take a deep breath!! We WILL get through it all TOGETHER!
Here are a few tips to help keep your little ones healthy! Know that if , after these tips, they still get sick - then further investigation is needed. This would include investigation on food allergies, unfavorable gut bugs, as well as deficiencies in certain nutrients.
TIP #1
Avoid Sugary Snacks! Keep sugar intake LOW.
Sugar depresses the immune system.
It's that simple!
So watch those labels and limit the high sugar snacks - don't pack them in your child's lunches -
ONE TEASPOON OF SUGAR WILL LOWER IMMUNITY FOR UP TO 5 HOURS!!
SO, really try to limit the sugar daily!! If not AVOID it. :)
I'd LOVE to start a new cultural norm, that instead of bringing in cupcakes and sweets for birthdays, we can do small toys or stickers or something!
Don't get me wrong, my kids do get some sweets on their birthdays, BUT at school it seems like there is a birthday EVERY week, and TOO often.
Here's a fact that shows the potency of a little bit of sugar, just one teaspoon of sugar will LOWER immunity for up to 5 HOURS. There are little pac men in the immune system, called Phagocytes, that munch up any invaders like bacteria and viruses. BUT when a teaspoon or more sugar is consumed, these phagocytic pac men are OUT. They take a nap and are inactive for 5 hours.
It's not a helpful thing, as there are always bacteria and viruses that your body is fending off. So watch your sugar intake, stick to unprocessed foods, and your immune system will thank you for it!
TIP #2
Immune supportive Supplements- (Garlic, Echinachea, Elderberry, Astragalus, Andrographis )
These herbs pack a punch for good immunity! Helpful to increase those pac man cells that clear invaders.
The trick is finding them in a form that your kiddos will chew up and swallow. I've had my kids hide their supplements in the couch or in their pockets. Incorporating these helpful herbs in foods is easier to hide and cover up.
Sometimes just throwing a head of garlic in the oven and cooking it until soft is awesome for immunity AND adds a wonderful savory taste to any type of food (meat, potatoes, veggies, it all works).
There are a number of children's formulas that incorporate these herbs for kids. The tricky part is getting the kids to swallow it.
Tips I have for that: Throwing it in a smoothie, mixing it in a Popsicle, and even hiding it in a nut butter.
TIP #3
Vitamin D3 for immunity.
If I had a nickel for the times I've had patients tell me, oh they don't need vitamin D, because they have been out in the sun, I'd have alot of nickels. :)
Really, you have to be out in the sun, NAKED, for hours (living in NC). If you are reading this and you live closer to the equator, well then you would have better luck getting your vitamin D from the sun. The thing is it is becoming more common to have a genetic mutation that keeps you from absorbing vitamin D very efficiently. So with this genetic mutation - you just are not efficient at either getting vitamin D from the sun AND not as efficient at absorbing it even from a supplement. Those with the 'VDR taq' mutation have to take rather large amounts of vitamin D (5000-8000IU daily) to be able to absorb just some of that amount.
That's why I feel it's important that EVERYONE is staking a Vitamin D supplement of some sort.
Vitamin D is like a super hero when it comes to helping with sickness - the thing is - you must take HIGH DOSES to be really effective.
Acute or just recent illnesses, should be given upwards to 60-75,000 IU of vitamin D. This helps nip whatever bacteria and viruses away!
Vitamin D is a super hero because it protects you from autoimmunity, cancer, depression, and a number of infections. If I had to pick just ONE supplement to give it would be ONE to choose.
So there are 3 helpful tips to help your kiddos with a protective start to the new school year.
There are many other supplements that can be helpful, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Zinc to name a few.
Kids Immune Strength Health Package AVailable NOW : $48 per month OR if you like it shipped: $56
What it includes:
Immune chewables - packed with vitamins and herbs to help your kiddos stay well and strong
Vitamin D3/K2 drops - 1 drop is 1000 IU of vitamin D3 and K2 - (I recommend 1000 IU per 25 lbs of body weight).
Need any supplements? Feel free to call the office to order- or reply to this email and we can send you a link to our online dispensary. (https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/charlottenaturalwellness)
If your family member is still struggling with their health - feel free to fill out our health assessment form, and then schedule to make a 15 min Free Phone Consultation. 704-543-5540
10 Ways Your Thyroid Keeps You Healthy - Thyroid Health
Thyroid Health.
The thyroid has receptors in EVERY cell in the body. So if your thyroid is imbalanced, YOU WILL be imbalanced, fatigued, and NOT well.
Here are 10 phenomenal jobs your Thyroid plays a role in.
- It helps to balance inflammation and is anti-inflammatory. So if you are low in thyroid hormone or HYPO-Thyroid - you will be in a constant state of INFLAMMATION.
- It takes a HUGE part in your IMMUNE system. So if you are sick all the time, you best check your thyroid levels! (see below for more information on this one!)
- Regulation of BLOOD PRESSURE and circulation. Cold hands? Cold Feet? Blood pressure Issues? Check that thyroid.
- Happy or Sad? The thyroid plays a huge role in regulation of your happy or sad hormones or NEUROTRANSMITTERS. So those with anxiety, mood swings, or depression- you know what to check, check that thyroid!
- Prevention of DEMENTIA, regulation of thyroid hormones are essential.
- Management of MAST cells or involved in the regulation of allergies.
- OSTEOPOROSIS prevention - be sure your thyroid is balanced people!
- Liver detoxification and the build up of TOXINS, will occur IF the thyroid is NOT regulated to optimal levels!
- CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE - like high cholesterol and triglycerides - will happen if THYROID is not regulated.
- Prevents memory issues and learning disabilities in children.
SO as you can see, the thyroid is NO JOKE! It is of UPMOST importance, to be sure you are checking for optimal levels.
SO WHAT DO YOU CHECK?
Most people when I ask them, if their doctors have checked their thyroid, they say - "Oh well my doctor already checked it and it's NORMAL."
KNOW - that your doctor or regular doctors, usually ONLY check TSH levels. That is only ONE marker out of at least 5-7 markers that you can check! It's like just checking the oil in a vehicle and saying, everything is 'normal'. It does not give you a proper indication of what is going on for the total health of that vehicle!
LAB TESTS to ask your doctor to run:
- TSH
- Free T3 & Free T4
- Total T3 & Total T4
- TPO Antibodies & Thyroglobulin Antibodies
- Reverse T3
- Thyroid Ultrasound
If your doctor will not run the above tests, just give us a call!! We would be happy to help!!!
*We are unable to bill insurance for visits, but can take Health Savings Accounts and Flex Spending Accounts - Call Today -704-543-5540 -