Vital Chiropractic, PLLC & Wellness Center

Your Personal Energy Conservation System

2012-03-03T10:11:00.000-08:00

The world's supply of fossil fuels has been dwindling for a long time. Energy conservation has become an important topic around the globe, in communities, nations, and confederations. Energy conservation is not only critically important for global stability. It also serves as an important metaphor for the health and well-being of individuals....
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Riding The Brakes

2012-02-16T10:20:00.000-08:00

Every driver knows that you can’t get to your destination with one foot on the accelerator and the other on the brake. But simple machines such as automobiles are fairly easy to operate. There aren't that many options. The human machine, on the other hand, has an almost infinite number of possible operating modes. And the human machine doesn't come with an instruction manual. What are some key action steps that will help ensure that we're getting where we want to go?...

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Half Empty or Half Full?

2012-02-14T10:14:00.000-08:00

What's your worldview? Are you an optimist or a pessimist by nature? Do you always expect good things to happen or are you waiting for the other shoe to drop? Our mental attitude affects how we interact with others and how we respond to events and the comings and goings in our daily lives. Remarkably, our mental attitude also affects our health and well-being. How we feel, not only mentally but also physically, is significantly impacted by what has been termed our "internal guidance mechanism"....
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Breakfast of Champions

2012-01-19T10:39:00.000-08:00

We all know we should eat a "good breakfast". Most us can still hear the voice of our third grade teacher ringing in our ears - "Did everyone eat a good breakfast today?" But as unlikely as it was then that most kids ate a good breakfast, it is even more unlikely now. This scenario is typical for many people and it continues day after day. Projecting into the future, the long-term results include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and overweight/obesity. What can be done?...
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Pushing Back the Clock

2012-01-07T09:51:00.000-08:00

Many people experience lapses in memory as they get older. Every so often, it may become frustratingly difficult or even temporarily impossible to recall a particular word or a specific person's name. For most people these glitches are minor, nothing more. However, for a certain percentage of older people, these lapses represent mild cognitive impairment....
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Can Work Be Relaxing?

2011-12-08T09:09:00.000-08:00

Not too many people would agree that "oh, yeah, my work is relaxing". Stressful work scenarios are common. If we work at a computer there are additional physiological stresses. Are there tactics we can employ at work in an overall strategy of causing our lives to be healthy, satisfying, and meaningful, as well as fun and relaxing? The answer is a resounding "yes"....

Read entire article here!

Flourishing

2011-11-11T08:08:00.000-08:00

How do you determine whether your life is going well? Whether you're happy and fulfilled vs. merely going through the paces? Whether you're growing and developing as a person vs. merely expressing more of the same old, same old?...
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Man and Machine

2011-10-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

Is a computer like a human brain or is a human brain like a computer? When machines allow us to extend our abilities, are we enhancing our humanness or becoming more machine-like? What are the meaningful distinctions between humans and machines and how do these impact our daily pursuits of health, well-being, and happiness?...

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Ebb and Flow

2011-10-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

Ancient peoples closely observed and interacted with the rhythms of their immediate environment. The sun rose in the East and set in the West. Day followed night, and approximately 12 hours later night followed day. The seasons progressed through a more leisurely, although no less regular, rhythm. A season of rebirth and new growth followed a season of restriction and retrenchment.
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Pathways Connect Gathering Group!

2011-09-02T17:21:00.000-07:00

Join us for our next Pathways Gathering Group!

Tuesday, September 20th at 12:30 pm.

We will meet in the lower level of Vital Chiropractic and Wellness Center at 600 N 4th Street in Mount Vernon.

What is Pathways Connect Gathering Group?

Pathways Connect

Pathways Connect: Establishing the Wellness Community

The purpose of Pathways Connect is to provide the resources and tools to introduce and foster the family wellness lifestyle in your community.

Using Pathways magazine as the primary resource, practitioners in your community are hosting Pathways Gathering Groups in their offices so families can come together and share their experiences and visions for conscious living choices.

These Gathering Groups will be meeting monthly and parents will have the opportunity to come to discuss issues most important to their family wellness lifestyle. The practices that are hosting these gatherings will offer complimentary Pathways magazines for group discussion.

Parents, take this opportunity to meet like-minded community members and utilize these groups to build social and health connections. Attendance at the Gathering Groups does not require membership or fees of any kind...ever. Come, take some time out of your day to nourish and expand your parenting options.

Have You Been Suffering From Chronic Knee Pain?

2011-07-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

Chronic knee pain is notoriously difficult to treat successfully. Persons with these problems often become discouraged as they shuttle from specialist to specialist, from rheumatologist to orthopedic surgeon to physical therapist to acupuncturist and back again. Lack of progress and improvement becomes understandable when one considers that typical evaluation and treatment are directed at the symptoms. But with chronic knee pain, and many other pain syndromes, actual benefits may be obtained by addressing underlying biomechanical problems.

Read the entire article here!

Could Your Lifestyle be Making You Sick?

2011-07-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

What is your lifestyle? Not whether you are married or where you live, but rather, how are you choosing to live your life? What choices are you making to keep yourself and your family healthy and well?

It is startling to learn that some of the most prevalent causes of illness, disease, and death – including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes – are all heavily influenced by lifestyle...

Read more here!

Pathways Connect Gathering

2011-05-09T17:37:00.000-07:00

Join us for our monthly Pathways Connect Gathering where families come together to create and support each other in the wellness lifestyle for their families. Open to everyone looking to connect and share their challenges and successes! Free.

Monday, May 16th @ 5 pm.

Topics for this month:

• The Bread Trap: Going Gluten Free
• Chiropractic Care for Families
• Pit of Despair: The Use and Overuse of Pitocin.
• What a Body Knows: Does Health Care Have Anything to do with Health?

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all the mother's on this day. I hope you know how truly special your "job" is. And thank you to all the mother's who let me aid in our health and wellness for you and your family. Love and blessings today and always!

Dr. Cheryl

Everybody knows that a good mother gives her children a feeling of trust and stability. She is their earth. She is the one they can count on for the things that matter most of all. She is their food and their bed and the extra blanket when it grows cold in the night; she is their warmth and their health and their shelter; she is the one they want to be near when they cry. She is the only person in the whole world in a whole lifetime who can be these things to her children. There is no substitute for her. Somehow even her clothes feel different to her children's hands from anybody else's clothes. Only to touch her skirt or her sleeve makes a troubled child feel better.-Katharine Butler Hathaway

Check out the classes coming up at Vital Chiropractic!

2011-03-16T14:09:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce some incredible upcoming classes at Vital Chiropractic.

1) Pathways Connect.

Starting Monday, April 18th we will be holding monthly Pathways Connect get togethers. The purpose of Pathways Connect is to provide the resources and tools to introduce and foster the family wellness lifestyle in our community and families. We will discuss various wellness topics that pertain to current family wellness and growth. This will be a great way to gather with other families, ask questions and gain knowledge in natural healthcare!

Monday, April 18th 5 pm.
Cost: Free

2) Natural treatments and care for ADD, ADHD, Autism and Sensory Processing Disorders.

This will be an informative class on non-medical approaches to helping children with these disorders or challenges. Information will be provided that will help kids with challenges in school, socially and academically, to children with more extreme neurological challenges. Bring your questions and open mind to learn. You will leave the class with things you can start doing immediately to help.

Monday, April 25th 5 pm.
Cost: Free

3) Purification and weigh management program.

Purification is merely the internal cleansing and detoxification of your body. Think of it as "spring cleaning" for your insides.

Why do I need purification?

Purification, also known as detoxification, can help you remove natural toxins from your body and help maintain a healthy weight. We are exposed to external toxins everyday, including pollutants, pesticides, and chemicals. Internally our bodies produce waste byproducts as a result of normal metabolic function. Although your body is designed to rid itself of these toxins naturally, it can become overburdened. Purification offers your body additional support to expel natural toxins and minimize your weight, which is important to maintaining your health and vitality.

Toxins can contribute to a wide range of conditions:

* Stuffy head
* Fatigue or difficulty sleeping
* Digestion and other gastrointestinal problems
* Food cravings and weight gain
* Reduced mental clarity
* Low libido

What are the benefits of purification?

A purification program can have a significant, positive effect on the biochemistry of the body while allowing natural toxins and byproducts of daily metabolism to be eliminated. By participating in a purification program, you may notice the following:

* Improved weight management results
* Increased energy/vitality
* Better digestion
* Less bloating
* Clearer skin
* Shinier hair
* Better sleep
* Clearer thinking
* Disappearance or lessening of past conditions†

How is purification different than any other diet?

The Standard Process Purification Program is not a diet. It is a program that helps you live a healthier life by purifying, nourishing, and maintaining a healthy body and weight.

Our purification program emphasizes supplements and whole foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, while limiting high-calorie, refined foods and saturated fats. Nourishing yourself with nutrient-rich foods will provide the complex combination of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are needed to protect the body and promote optimal health.

This is a weekly program that runs for 4 weeks. The first date is Wednesday, April 27th from 5:30-6:30.

The program includes program guide, weekly contact with the doctor, all supplements and meal suggestions/recipes.

Limit is 10 participants. Call our office for more information or to sign up.

The Luck of the Draw

2011-03-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

The Luck of the Draw

We Can Make
Our Own Luck

Making your own luck with respect to good health involves taking various actions on your own behalf. In fact "luck" itself, without any help from us, only goes so far. For example, you could be lucky and blessed with a fast metabolism. That's great, you can eat whatever you want and not put on much weight. But is eating exclusively from the three main food groups of pasta, pizza, and peanut butter what you really want to do?

Well, yes, but it's important to recognize that there is a down side. Eventually your metabolism will rebel against this slog-fest and betray you. You'll begin to put on weight and it may take a long time to reverse this trend, even after you've switched to a more sensible diet.

Similarly, health check-ups are a smart lifestyle choice. Chiropractic check-ups help ensure your body is functioning at peak levels. If some optimizing is needed, your chiropractor will recommend treatment that will get you back to being fit. They'll also be able to answer your questions about diet and exercise, helping you plan choices and activities that will keep you and your family healthy and well.

Some people do all the right things and still develop serious health problems. Others flaunt their bad habits and are able to live long lives, dying peacefully in their sleep at the age of 95. For example, high blood pressure (hypertension, HTN) is a common chronic disease in the United States. With HTN a person's heart has to work much harder, all the time, to pump the blood needed by the rest of the body. HTN is associated with heart attacks and stroke, and hypertensive heart disease is a leading cause of death. ¹

HTN is often described as a lifestyle disease. ^2,3 Those who are overweight and/or obese (this characterizes two-thirds of American adults) are at increased risk for HTN, as are persons with diabetes. People who don't exercise regularly are more likely to develop high blood pressure, as are those who smoke cigarettes. In fact, overweight/obesity, lack of exercise, and tobacco use are the top three causes of HTN.

Obviously, achieving an average weight, exercising regularly, and stopping smoking (or never starting) are three main lifestyle actions related to decreasing one's risk of developing HTN. But some people who are slim, have exercised all their lives, and do not smoke may still develop high blood pressure. In such a case, HTN is termed "essential hypertension". The person has a very healthy lifestyle, there are no risk factors for HTN, and still they become hypertensive. That is the luck of the draw, otherwise known as a genetic predisposition to this disease.

In a contrasting example, a few people may smoke two packs of cigarettes a day since age 15, drink a quart of gin every few days, and never get really sick. They don't develop lung cancer or liver cancer and have no problems with HTN or heart disease, and live lives that fly in the face of all received wisdom in the field of public health. They continue to thrive well into their 80s and beyond and love to tell their well-meaning friends and relatives, "I've never been sick a day in my life" while lighting up another cigarette. Such persons are described by epidemiologists as outliers, those whose health parameters represent an outlying 2.5% or less of the standard values. Their luck of the draw lies in possessing an indestructible constitution.

Of course the exceptions only prove the rule. Their existence does not suggest that rules for good health should not be observed. Regular vigorous exercise and a healthful diet containing plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables are important for all of us, young and old. Chiropractic care is an important component of the lifestyle mix. Chiropractic care helps people, young and old, achieve the best health possible. This natural form of health care helps take the "luck" out of the equation. We can make our own luck and chiropractic helps us do that in the arena of health and well-being.

¹Zhang WW, et al: Hypertension and TIA. Int J Stroke 4(3):206-214, 2009
²Schmid AA, et al: Current blood pressure self-management: a qualitative study. Rehabil Nurs 34(6):223-229, 2009
³Pascual JM, et al: Body weight variation and control of cardiovascular risk factors in essential hypertension. Blood Press 18(5):247-254

Image: dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Natural World

2011-02-09T18:44:00.000-08:00

Getting Healthy and Staying Healthy with Chiropractic Care

Nutritious food and regular exercise will only go so far if your nervous system is not working properly. Spinal nerve irritation can block the free flow of information between your brain and the rest of your body, interfering with healthy functioning and leading to a wide range of diseases.
Irritated nerves cause too many nerve signals or too few nerve signals to flow between the brain and the body. Information transfer is either speeded up or slowed down - either situation leads to a breakdown in communication and results in various disorders and diseases.
Your chiropractor is a specialist in detecting and correcting spinal nerve irritation or nerve interference. Chiropractic adjustments help restore normal nerve transmission, helping restore optimal health and well-bein

The natural world functions very well on its own. Left to their own devices, members of the tens of millions of species on our planet thrive and prosper without relying on outside agencies.

In order to grow abundantly, plants consume carbon dioxide, water, and nutrients from the soil. Likewise, herbivorous animals consume plants whereas carnivorous animals consume other animals. Insects eat a wide variety of foods, including plants, fruit, other insects, detritus (dead leaves, stems, and twigs), and even blood. Many types of bacteria and fungi recycle decomposing matter. Whales, the top predator in the oceans, may consume more than a ton of plankton per day in addition to fish, squid, and other crustaceans.

Every member of every species excepting humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) obtains everything it needs from the environment. Modern humanity is the only species for which the abundance provided by the global ecosystem is insufficient.

For instance, mountain lions, raccoons, and coyotes don't need sleeping pills. But humans spend more than $1.5 billion per year on the sleep aid Ambien. Dolphins, antelope, and bluebirds don't have problems with blood glucose levels. In stark contrast, the annual cost of diabetes medications in the United States was $12.5 billion in 2007. In the wild, oak trees, tuna, and elephants don't need nutritional supplementation. Humans, however, spend more than $23 billion annually in the United States alone. What is wrong with this picture?

As a species, humans have the unprecedented ability to manipulate and drastically alter the world in which we live. Also aside from epidemic infectious disease, there exists no natural check on human population growth. As populations expand, resources become scarce. Populations flocking to urban enclaves not only leave behind the countryside but also local sources of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry. Canning, packaging, and transportation of food over long distances become necessary to supply the energy needs of cities. But only calories and not much else are obtained by these methods. Energy is provided but food quality is substantially reduced.

Chronic disease becomes widespread. Diabetes, cardiovascular disorders including high blood pressure, heart attacks, and stroke, and obesity are all the direct result of a severely compromised food supply.^1,2,3

Our disconnect from the natural world poses many additional challenges. Our bodies were designed to meet the demanding physical requirements of a hostile environment. But for the most part we don't do physical work anymore. If we don't find satisfactory substitutes for strenuous physical activity our musculoskeletal, metabolic, and endocrine systems easily deteriorate. The consequences include osteoporosis, chronic aches and pains, gastrointestinal problems, and anxiety and depression.

It takes a lot of effort to maintain good health when we're so far removed from the natural world. We need to make sure our diets are healthy and we need to get sufficient and regular strenuous exercise. The short- and long-term benefits include happiness, self-esteem, and ongoing well-being.

¹Kesse-Guyot E, et al: Adherence to nutritional recommendations and subsequent cognitive performance: findings from the prospective Supplementation with Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals 2. Am J Clin Nutr Nov 24 2010 (Epub ahead of print)

²Wolfe AR, et al: Dietary protein and protein-rich food in relation to severely depressed mood: A 10 year follow-up of a national cohort. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry Nov 22 2010 (Epub ahead of print)

³Pekmezi DW, Demark-Wahnefried W: Updated evidence in support of diet and exercise interventions in cancer survivors. Acta Oncol Nov 24 2010 (Epub ahead of print)

Let me be free!

2011-02-07T11:03:00.000-08:00

Today's American parent has access to the best equipment, technology and information. But is it all good? Information is always good to have but be wary of the sources. Technology is always good to have but be wary of the improper use of power. Equipment is always good to have, but one should also be wary of its disadvantages.

Our bodies and minds are born to experience, create and move. When we use "advances" to avoid doing this our mind and body suffers. We see this most in infants. We now have bucket car seats, strollers, walkers, cribs, jumperoos, bumbos, etc. While these may be convenient they are not the best for baby's neurological development. Babies need to be carried, close to the body of mom or dad as infants. They need to be free to move to discover their body and build proper neurological connections between their brain and their body. If this doesn't happen, they don't properly develop and it can create a cascading effect of improper function.

My advice, let your children be "free" to explore, move and create. Love them and trust that nature know what it is doing.

Diet and Fertility.

2011-01-24T09:59:00.000-08:00

Many women today experience troubles conceiving or carrying a baby to term. The causes of this are highly unknown and this is very stressful and discouraging to couples trying to have a baby. Some of the potential causes of infertility have pointed to stress and diet.

In one study Vitamin C supplementation found an increase in fertility in some women and a decrease in repeated miscarriages. The study suggested that vitamin C improved hormonal levels by repairing oxidative damage caused by toxins and stress, especially in the luteal phase stage of a woman's cycle. (Fertility and Sterility (2003;80:459–61))

Luteal phase defect is the cause of infertility in approximately 5% of women and in 35% of women who experience repeated miscarriage.

Foods high in vitamin C:
* Sweet red bell peppers
* Parsley
* Broccoli
* Cauliflower
* Strawberries
* Mustard greens
* Papaya
* Grapefruit
* Kiwi
* Oranges
* Cantaloupe
* Cabbage
* Tomatoes
* Raspberries
* Celery
* Spinach
* Pineapple
* Watermelon
* Tangerines
* Limes
* Cranberries
* Guava

Are you connected?

2011-01-13T09:21:00.000-08:00

When you do a clean restore on your computer, you restore the initial factory settings. You wipe the slate clean of all the junk - unnecessary programs, spyware, and viruses that have accumulated along the way. The result is a clean, lean machine that runs faster and works much better.

Extending the connectivity metaphor, is it possible to do a clean restore on your body? In one sense, definitely not. You'd first need to backup all the things that make you who you are - the things you've learned, your experiences, your personality. The cells of your body retain these sorts of memories, too, and your environmental experiences have a significant impact on your DNA. In another sense, though, it is possible to do a clean restore, on a cell-by-cell basis. Your body's cells are constantly renewing themselves, doing their own versions of a clean restore. If you provide the appropriate inputs in the form of healthy, nutritious food, plenty of regular exercise, and sufficient rest, your new cells will be faster, smarter, and better than the ones they are replacing.

Being connected is very important in our modern world. Could you imagine how you’d feel if you left your cell phone at home? For teenagers, a cell phone is much more than a tool. For teens, cell phones are status symbols, but they also represent a connection to the tribe, a connection to their human network. For teens and adults, cell phones are lifelines. What about web connectivity? Many of us begin to experience withdrawal symptoms if we’re separated from our Internet connection for more than a hour. Others check their email every few minutes, ongoingly, throughout the day, every day.

We may feel secure if we’re well connected in the external electronic world, but it’s even more important to be well connected in the internal physiologic world. In the external world we think in terms of networks, primarily in terms of Internet connections. In the internal world networks are the key, too - neurologic networks, of which our nerve system is comprised.1,2

The nerve system consists of the brain, cranial nerves, spinal cord, spinal nerves, and miles of peripheral nerves which connect the spinal cord and spinal nerves to every other cell in the body. In the body, the rules are simple. If a cell is not connected to the nerve system, the cell's activities become disorganized and it becomes diseased and eventually dies. In a related scenario a cell may be connected, but the nerve signals it is receiving are inaccurate or inappropriate, due to problems within the nerve system itself. The results are the same - the cell's activities become disorganized and it becomes diseased and eventually dies. If enough cells are affected, the person develops symptoms and becomes sick.

"Problems" within the nerve system often result from spinal subluxations - a loss of full mobility between one or more pairs of spinal vertebras, with associated spinal muscle tightness or spasm, spinal joint inflammation, and spinal nerve irritation. The free flow of information between the nerve system and the rest of the body becomes compromised. Both ends of the network receive inappropriate, ineffective information and the result is a "system crash" in the form of symptoms and disease.

Chiropractic health care is especially designed to restore effective connectivity and communication between your nerve system and your other body systems.3 Your chiropractor specializes in identifying the spinal subluxations at the root of the problem and using gentle, safe, effective methods of care to restore proper balance to your spine and nerve system. Optimal functioning begins to be restored and improved levels of health and well-being are the natural result.

1. Coward LA: The hippocampal system as the cortical resource manager: a model connecting psychology, anatomy and physiology. Adv Exp Med Biol 657:315-364, 2010

2. Saur D, et al: Combining functional and anatomical connectivity reveals brain networks for auditory language comprehension. Neuroimage 49(4):3187-3197, 2010

3. Taylor HH, Murphy B: Altered central integration of dual somatosensory input after cervical spine manipulation. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 33(3):178-188, 2010

Adjustment of Baby Samantha

2011-01-02T14:44:00.000-08:00

This precious little girl was adjusted at 1 day old, this is her second check and adjustment at 5 days old.

Morning Sickness. Natural Relief.

2010-12-22T11:42:00.000-08:00

One of the most frustrating, and sometimes even dangerous, issues during pregnancy is morning sickness. Approximately 2/3 of all pregnant women will experience morning sickness for at least a part of their pregnancy. Most common in the first trimester, morning sickness usually starts around 5-6 weeks gestation (sometimes earlier) and generally eases up around 12-14 weeks. However, some pregnant moms will experience morning sickness for much longer and perhaps for their entire pregnancy.

Morning sickness is caused by a few different factors. One reason for morning sickness is the dramatic rise in hormonal levels, especially estrogen. Estrogen levels can rise to 300 times the normal levels in non-pregnant females. At the same time the corpus luteum secretes high levels of the hormone HCG (human cortico gonadatrophin). These hormones must be filtered by the liver and the extra stress on the liver can increase the toxin load in the body. Another factor is the growth of the placenta which takes place between 1 to 15 weeks. When this happens, trophoblastic cells on the fertilized egg have begun to digest the endometrium, causing implantation within the lining and forming the placenta. These cells release toxins and debris which, again, the liver must detoxify.

Because of the stress placed on the liver during this time, it is imperative that we look at the function of the liver and optimize the neurological control of the liver. In chiropractic we can do this by analyzing the function of the nervous system through the movement of the spine and making sure the body is able to process the toxins optimally.

It is also a goal to address the input of other toxins that may put additional stress on the liver and educate the mom to reduce the load from diet or environmental toxins. To minimize the liver load from diet, we encourage the mom to eat a diet lower in some fats, sugar and dairy. And at the same time increase the intake of fresh, steamed vegetables, maintain protein levels, add B12 to her diet and eat small, light meals to allow easier digestion. If morning sickness is extreme, a diet of warm liquids, broths and soups will help in digestion and lessen the liver load. Some herbs such as ginger and peppermint can also be extremely helpful in lessening the symptoms of morning sickness.

With careful watch on diet, rest and hydration as well as including regular chiropractic care to optimize neurological function, morning sickness can be lessened and sometimes completely alleviated.

Dr. Cheryl Schmitt

Blessings!

2010-12-20T15:47:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!

We wish you the warmest of holiday blessings and thank you for an amazing year. We are truly honored to be able to do the work we do and help as many people as we can.

This year has been a year of change and growth for us and we are eternally grateful for all we have.

We wish you all a blessed new year in 2011 and hope that your health (optimum physical, social AND mental well being) is great.

Sincerely,

Drs. Cheryl and Robert Schmitt

Oh and in case you were wondering...we will be closed Thursday afternoon at 1 pm this week as well as Friday, December 24th so get in early for your adjustments!

Locally Grown, Organically Grown - You Are What You Eat

2010-12-14T13:50:00.000-08:00

Locally Grown, Organically Grown - You Are What You Eat

Why Eat Organically Grown Food?

Just as we are what we eat, fruits and vegetables are what they eat, too. Food labeled "organic" is grown without artificial pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer. Organic farmers use compost (which is "all natural") and "green" fertilizer to provide nourishment to their crops. Cattle and other livestock raised organically receive neither antibiotics nor growth hormones, and eat feed that is itself raised and harvested on organic farms.
In part because they are locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables contain higher levels of antioxidants than produce grown via other methods. Antioxidants are powerful, health-promoting biochemicals that help prevent a wide variety of diseases, including inflammatory diseases and cancer. Organically grown food not only tastes better but is actually good for you, which of course is what we want our food to be.

There is much wisdom in the saying "you are what you eat", but food today is not the food of yesterday. We need to actually work at getting the amount of nutrients that's going to help keep us healthy and well.

Our genetic heritage was not designed for an urban environment. Our digestive systems, for example, were not optimized for high-starch diets, fast food, and canned fruits and vegetables. The energy requirements of our cells were designed to be based on glucose metabolism. But glucose was originally obtained from readily available fresh produce and whole grains, in the form of complex carbohydrates. When our tissues were originally designed there were no such things as processed flour or sweeteners.

At the dawn of man, protein sources were derived from the local fauna - the local birds and beasts. These animals were not fed antibiotics and were not raised on pesticide-treated grasses. They were not caged and forced to grow up in close proximity to dozens and hundreds of fellow creatures. They roamed freely and randomly, ranging over wide stretches of open territory. As a result, their value as food sources was very high.

Today, unless we make a special effort, our food sources are significantly compromised. Until recently, those living in cities were only able to purchase produce that had traveled long distances over many days to reach their stores. The nutritional value of these fruits and vegetables was necessarily substantially degraded. The nutritional content of protein sources - meat, fowl, fish, dairy, and eggs - were likewise degraded by chemical additives, antibiotics, and draconian living conditions.

New food-producing methods, available for the last 30 years but much more so recently, have enabled consumers to put high-quality food on their tables.^1,2,3 The slogan "eat locally" has become a possibility for even the most entrenched urban areas such as New York City. Farmers markets spring up weekly and monthly in most cities, suburbs, and the surrounding countryside. Organically grown food - produce, fish, meat, fowl, and dairy - is widely available, even in supermarket chains.

We now have more healthy food options than were available at any time within the last 50 years. It is possible to reverse the diabetes and obesity epidemics that have spread across countries like the United States. It is possible to restore health and well-being to millions people across the globe. Chiropractic care can be of great assistance in this process. Your chiropractor will be able to help you design food plans that will work for you and your family.

¹Wang SY: Fruit quality, antioxidant capacity, and flavonoid content of organically and conventionally grown blueberries. J Agric Food Chem 56(14):5788-5794, 2008

²Nitika S, et al: Physico-chemical characteristics, nutrient composition and consumer acceptability of wheat varieties grown under organic and inorganic farming conditions. Int J Food Sci Nutr 59(3:):224-245, 2008

³Dani C, et al: Phenolic content and antioxidant activities of white and purple juices manufactured with organically- or conventionally-produced grapes. Food Chem Toxicol 45(12):2574-2580, 2007

A video every parent needs to watch.

2010-12-12T08:57:00.000-08:00

A natural approach to childrens health.

2010-12-10T11:43:00.000-08:00

Parents are increasing becoming wary of western medical treatments for childhood illness and disease. It seems every time the turn around a medication or invasive procedure is the only option for caring for their child's symptoms. However, with a little research, parents are finding that there are alternatives to this model and an alternate view of health and wellness. Many parents are choosing chiropractic, massage, homeopathy and acupuncture. And, they are getting amazing results!

Children, especially, have an amazing ability to regenerate, heal and flourish if given the right nutrition, supportive environment and a properly functioning master control system. This does not mean that a child will NEVER have a symptom but when they do, they are able to process this symptom in a safe and optimum manner and have a better functioning body on the other side of the symptomatic expression. For example, when a young child is faced with a new bacteria or virus he hasn't encountered before, the healthy child's immune system, when not interrupted or interfere with, will produce the proper immune response and create life-long immunity to that invader if he encounters it again. This means the child WILL most likely have a symptom. He may experience a fever, cough, runny nose, rash, diarrhea, etc. These are not bad things. This is the bodies inborn protective system at work.

So how does chiropractic, naturopathy, acupuncture and other "natural" healing modalities differ? In short, they support the natural workings of the bodies innate healing ability and do not try to alter it or suppress it. And 99.9% of the time the child does an amazing job of healing without any complications! Amazing? YES!

Chiropractic Research
which show the efficacy of chiropractic care for children and pregnant women.

Is chiropractic a safe, non-invasive treatment for pregnancy discomforts?

2010-11-20T12:29:00.001-08:00

by Dr. Cheryl L. Schmitt
vitalchiro.com

As a chiropractor I see pregnant women for a variety of issues. Some come to me before getting pregnant if they are having troubles conceiving or just want to be in the best of health upon conception. Others come to me with specific issues. Some of the most common complaints pregnant women visit their chiropractor for are lower back pain, malposition of the baby (breech, posterior or transverse presentations), headaches, pregnancy induced hypertension and pubic bone pain.

A natural option for women with a malpositioned baby is the chiropractic adjustment called the Webster Technique. Developed by Dr. Larry Webster and formerly called the Webster Breech Turning Technique, this particular chiropractic adjustment was previously used during the seventh through ninth months of pregnancy. Also in the past, the Webster Technique primarily focused on women whose babies were presenting breech or transverse.

Since discovery of the Webster Technique, its protocol has been revised to include women of all stages of pregnancy. Doctors of chiropractic reported a greater than 82% success rate in the technique's ability to balance pelvic structures and remove constraint to the woman's uterus, thereby allowing the baby to turn into the vertex position. The Webster Technique has also been effective in diminishing pubic bone and lower back or sacroiliac pain as well as the incidence of c-sections. The Webster technique is therefore becoming an important part of prenatal care for all women looking to optimize their potential for more natural deliveries. (The Webster Technique: A Chiropractic Technique with Obstetric Implications.J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2002 Jul-Aug;25(6): E1-9)

Another substantial issue is lower back pain and pubic bone pain during pregnancy. In one study, 11 women meeting the criteria for sacroiliac joint dysfunction were treated with chiropractic treatment of the sacroiliac joints. After chiropractic therapy, 10 of the 11 women (91%) had relief of pain and no longer exhibited signs of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. ("Sacroiliac subluxation: a common, treatable cause of low-back pain in pregnancy". Daly JM, et al. Family Practice Research Journal, 1991: 11(2)
149-159.)

In another study, 84% of patients receiving chiropractic manipulation reported relief of back pain during pregnancy. There was significantly less likelihood of back labor when spinal manipulative therapy was administered during pregnancy. ("Back pain during pregnancy and labor". Diakow PR, et al. Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics, 1991: 14(2): 116-118.)

Chiropractic care is recommended for all pregnant women for the "common" ailments such as back or pubic bone pain, but also to optimize the birth experience. If the pelvic joints and nervous system are working at their optimal level during childbirth not only will you have less pain but studies show that labor will likely be shorter! The thing to remember is that chiropractic care removes any interference in the mind/body connection of the mom and helps her nervous system to run optimally. So I ask you this, would you rather be pregnant and labor with your nervous system working at 100% or not? If you believe your mind/body connection and nervous system function is important at this time in your life you should consult a chiropractor, whether you are having physical symptoms or not.

Yours in health and optimal wellness,

Cheryl Schmitt, D.C.

reno - new muvee 001

2010-10-14T00:36:00.001-07:00

2010-06-11T23:15:00.000-07:00

We have moved! Our new address is
600 N 4th Street
Mount Vernon, WA 98273

and our website...for more information:

www.vitalchiro.com

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2009-11-09T18:34:00.001-08:00

The Blame Game

2009-08-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

I often encounter the victim of fate. The person who was born with the wrong genes, had the wrong encounter with the wrong doctor, lived in an area that had bad food or ... you fill in the blank. In fact, there are so many choices we make, every day, that influence our state of being, our wellness, our health. Did you choose the health status you have today? Maybe not consciously. Probably mostly you did. That may sound harsh but every thought and action you have had up to now has played a roll in who you are today. Good or bad. So from today forward, choose healthfully. Think health enhancing thoughts, choose health enhancing activities and live a healthier life from here forward.

Cancelled class and last chance for nutrition tune up sign-ups!

2009-07-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

I, unfortunately, have to cancel next Thursdays Class on The Balanced Child. I will be re-offering this class in September or October for those who are interested. Sorry for those looking forward to it next week!

I also am making last call for all interested in the Nutrition Tune Up testing by Karl Mincin. Karl will be calling everyone who signed up to schedule their appointment with him soon. For more information either call our office or check out our Facebook page!

2009-04-03T11:37:00.001-07:00

Dr. Cheryl would like to provide you with this great video that explains and demonstrates the Webster Technique. Dr. Schmitt is certified in this technique and certified in pregnancy and childrens chiropractic care. Enjoy!

2009-03-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

Does Chiropractic Work? Check the science!

A video showing study findings on the safety and efficacy of Chiropractic Care.

2009-03-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

Date Change for "March" workshop!

Due to scheduling conflict the March Workshop will now be held on April 2nd @ 5 pm. There is still time to sign up. Just give us a call at 360-848-6755.

March Workshop!

2009-02-18T18:53:00.000-08:00

You are invited to a free workshop at Vital Chiropractic!
Topic: Hidden Hazards in your Home.
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 5 pm.

More details to come.

For RSVP please call the office (360-848-6755) or join our Facebook page!

2009-02-05T14:03:00.000-08:00

Listen to Mind, Body and Child on ICPA Radio!

2009-01-25T19:20:00.000-08:00

Mark the date!
Thursday, February 26th @ 4 pm.
The Wellness Pregnancy

Dr. Cheryl Schmitt will be putting on a 2 hour workshop on having a healthy and beautiful pregnancy. Topics such as exercise, nutrition and stress reduction will be discussed. We will also discuss birth options and the role of a doula. Bring your questions!

2009-01-15T14:29:00.000-08:00

Alternative Medicine is Mainstream

From the article: "The latest scientific studies show that our bodies have a remarkable capacity to begin healing, and much more quickly than we had once realized, if we address the lifestyle factors that often cause these chronic diseases. These studies show that integrative medicine can make a powerful difference in our health and well-being, how quickly these changes may occur, and how dynamic these mechanisms can be."

Access the article here: www.online.wsj.com

2009-01-06T13:45:00.000-08:00

A recent National Health Statistics Report announced that chiropractic was the second highest utilized CAM therapy for children in the US. Although we are constantly participating in interviews from newspapers, magazines and radio shows, this report generated an increase in this activity. In one of the interviews, the news person decided to get an orthopedic surgeon's opinion about chiropractic care for children. The surgeon's criticisms were unfounded to say the least. Setting the record straight, Dr. Joel Alcantara offered a brief and referenced response.

View Dr. Alcantara's response

2009-01-05T15:57:00.000-08:00

Chiropractic for Pregnancy Discomforts?

As a chiropractor I see pregnant women for a variety of issues. Some come to me before getting pregnant if they are having troubles conceiving or just want to be in the best of health upon conception. Others come to me with specific issues. Some of the most common complaints pregnant women visit their chiropractor for are lower back pain, malposition of the baby (breech, posterior or transverse presentations), headaches, pregnancy induced hypertension and pubic bone pain.

A natural option for women with a malpositioned baby is the chiropractic adjustment called the Webster Technique. Developed by Dr. Larry Webster and formerly called the Webster Breech Turning Technique, this particular chiropractic adjustment was previously used during the seventh through ninth months of pregnancy. Also in the past, the Webster Technique primarily focused on women whose babies were presenting breech or transverse.

Since discovery of the Webster Technique, its protocol has been revised to include women of all stages of pregnancy. Doctors of chiropractic reported a greater than 82% success rate in the technique's ability to balance pelvic structures and remove constraint to the woman's uterus, thereby allowing the baby to turn into the vertex position. The Webster Technique has also been effective in diminishing pubic bone and lower back or sacroiliac pain as well as the incidence of c-sections. The Webster technique is therefore becoming an important part of prenatal care for all women looking to optimize their potential for more natural deliveries. (The Webster Technique: A Chiropractic Technique with Obstetric Implications.J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2002 Jul-Aug;25(6): E1-9)

Another substantial issue is lower back pain and pubic bone pain during pregnancy. In one study, 11 women meeting the criteria for sacroiliac joint dysfunction were treated with chiropractic treatment of the sacroiliac joints. After chiropractic therapy, 10 of the 11 women (91%) had relief of pain and no longer exhibited signs of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. ("Sacroiliac subluxation: a common, treatable cause of low-back pain in pregnancy". Daly JM, et al. Family Practice Research Journal, 1991: 11(2)
149-159.)

In another study, 84% of patients receiving chiropractic manipulation reported relief of back pain during pregnancy. There was significantly less likelihood of back labor when spinal manipulative therapy was administered during pregnancy. ("Back pain during pregnancy and labor". Diakow PR, et al. Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics, 1991: 14(2): 116-118.)

Chiropractic care is recommended for all pregnant women for the "common" ailments such as back or pubic bone pain, but also to optimize the birth experience. If the pelvic joints and nervous system are working at their optimal level during childbirth not only will you have less pain but studies show that labor will likely be shorter! The thing to remember is that chiropractic care removes any interference in the mind/body connection of the mom and helps her nervous system to run optimally. So I ask you this, would you rather be pregnant and labor with your nervous system working at 100% or not? If you believe your mind/body connection and nervous system function is important at this time in your life you should consult a chiropractor, whether you are having physical symptoms or not.

Yours in health and optimal wellness,

Cheryl Schmitt, D.C.

2009-01-05T11:56:00.000-08:00

A new year is here! We are excited to embark on a new year of health and happiness. This year one of our goals is to spread the word of chiropractic and to focus on the needs of our clients even more. We are working on creating strong relationships with fellow health care providers in our community as well as continuing our passion of perfecting what we do.

Keep an eye on this blog for articles (and links to articles) for you and your health!

2008-12-21T15:29:00.000-08:00

The first big news event...

Dr. Cheryl Schmitt has recently earned her Certification from the Academy of Family Practice. She is also Webster Technique certified and a Distinguished Contributor of the Practiced Based research Network (PBRN). She was previously honored with her F.I.C.P.A certification in fall of 2003.

Dr. Schmitt joins only 2 other chiropractors Certified from the Academy of Family Practice in Washington State.

And for a further explanation of what these certifications mean:

Chiropractic Pediatric 180 Hour Certification (C.A.C.C.P.)

The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association offers Doctors of Chiropractic an opportunity to achieve Pediatric Certification through advanced academics and clinical studies.

The rigorous, 180 hour curriculum offers techniques and protocols of care for children and pregnant women. The 15 module course covers levels of training and expertise additional to what is offered in chiropractic colleges.

Those Doctors who have completed the hours of study are examined in the practical application of the course academics, technique and case management. Once they have successfully passed the exam, they receive Certification status from the Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics in the Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice. The I.C.P.A. recognizes their certification status with their continued membership in the I.C.P.A.

These Doctors have chosen to participate in the program to better care for the families in their communities. They are listed as having a Pediatric Board Certification status on our membership referral directory and have the initials C.A.C.C.P. after their names.

Chiropractic Pediatric 120 Hour Certification (F.I.C.P.A.)

The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association previously offered Doctors of Chiropractic an opportunity to achieve a Pediatric Certification with the I.C.P.A.

The 120 hour curriculum offered techniques and protocols of care for children and pregnant women. The 10 module course covered levels of training additional to what is offered in chiropractic colleges.

Those Doctors who have completed the hours of study were examined in their knowledge and once they successfully passed the exam, they receive a certification of completion from the I.C.P.A. The I.C.P.A. recognizes their certification status with their continued membership in the I.C.P.A.

These Doctors have chosen to participate in the program to better care for the families in their communities. They are listed as having a Pediatric Certification on our membership referral directory and have the initials F.I.C.P.A. after their names.

Webster Technique Certification (Webster Certified)

The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association offers Doctors of Chiropractic the opportunity to receive a Certificate of Proficiency in the Webster Technique.

Instituted in the year 2000, this certification proficiency class offers both a hands on examination of the Webster Technique, a specific analysis and adjustment used for pregnant mothers.

This chiropractic technique helps to correct sacral misalignment, balance pelvic muscles and ligaments which in turn removes torsion to the woman's uterus, its resulting constraint to the baby, and allows the baby to get into the best possible position for birth.

The I.C.P.A. recognizes the doctor's certification status with their continued membership in the I.C.P.A.

PBRN Distinguished Contributor

The ICPA depends on its membership to fund research in chiropractic family practice. Our Practiced Based research Network (PBRN) is an opportunity for our doctors to participate in the compilation of clinical research in their offices, therefore helping to establish evidenced based research for the chiropractic profession.

We are proud of our PBRN participants because of the time and efforts they have contributed towards these vital research endeavors.

Vital Chiropractic News!

2008-12-21T15:21:00.000-08:00

Our first official blog for Vital Chiropractic! We hope to have interesting health and wellness related articles, updates on happenings at the office and all other exciting news posted here regularly. Maybe even a few lighthearted jokes. Welcome to our blog and please post comments if you would like.