Tuesday, 02 April 2013 18:15

 

WHERE I WAS PRIOR TO POWER CHIROPRACTIC  CARE . . .

 

Approximately one year ago, I suffered a lower back injury where I herniated a disk in my lower spine.  My injury left me in throbbing and burning back pain. Every day personal errands and household chores were a challenge for me to complete without experiencing pain;  functioning as a high school math teacher was difficult with all the standing and sitting my job required.  After working with several  physical therapists and neurosurgeons, no one was able to relieve my symptoms, other than with prescriptions. My fitness level was at an all-time minimum; my hobbies such as walking, skiing, cycling, spin classes at the gym, and strength and resistance training were out of the question for me.  My lack of activity was very depressing.  Prior to my injury, I had hopes of training for a triathlon.  I began to think I would never be able to enjoy my career and hobbies, let alone my life, without back pain.

In addition to lacking exercise, my daily meals were lacking good nutrition.  My blood pressure and anxiety were on the rise from not eating healthy foods and not being able to exercise.  For breakfast, I would have Hungry Jack Pancakes with lots of syrup along with two cups of coffee.  For lunch, I would often have pizza, a sandwich on white bread, or yogurt.   My supper usually consisted of take-outs from local deli’s, restaurants, and even fast food restaurants.  I rarely ever made supper at home.   My snacks consisted of chocolate candy, chips, ice-cream, and a variety of cakes.   Needless to say, eating like this never gave me energy, despite the exercise I was doing prior to my injury.  I often felt lethargic by the middle of the work day and couldn’t wait to get home to relax or take a nap.  On the weekends, I would feel fatigued by 7 or 9 o’clock at night.

Since my injury, my attitude and outlook on life was always up and down.  I had a tendency to look at the glass half empty rather than half full.  I found myself being pessimistic about the future and giving up on my aspirations to lead a healthy, productive, and active lifestyle.   I was losing confidence that my life was going to get better.

After expressing to my family and friends how discouraged I felt about my life, a friend of mine encouraged me to meet with Dr. Dan at Power Chiropractic. He helped him feel much better and he was very happy with the progress he made and the positive difference Dr. Dan made in his life.  So I decided to attend his workshop that month and I really liked what I learned and witnessed.  I found Dr. Dan to possess great energy and eagerness to help his patients.    I knew this was the place that could help me get my life back on track again.

Immediately after my initial consultation with Dr. Dan, I decided to enroll in care at Power Chiropractic. At Power Chiropractic, I receive more than just a spinal adjustment; it is the whole package.  I like the fact that my chiropractic care not only includes spine and neck adjustments, but also includes the therapy for my neck and spine, workshops and videos on wellness and nutrition, burst training fitness sessions, and private consultations when needed.  Also, Power Chiropractic has taught me how to better take care of myself.   Power Chiropractic continues to inform me about wellness, nutrition, and fitness; while keeping my spine aligned.   Had I received this kind of treatment and education before, I probably would have felt better for a greater number of years.

WHERE I AM NOW WITH POWER CHIROPRACTIC CARE . . .

After a few months of treatment at Power Chiropractic, I am able to complete my personal errands and household chores without my back throbbing.  I feel as if I surpassed what I used to do prior to my back injury.  I am able to cook, clean, and grocery shop and not feel as sore.  My day typically begins at 5 A.M. and is often not over until 7 P.M. or later.  After working all day, running errands after school and working a part-time job twice a week, I am able to get through it all without excruciating pain.   I was never able to do all these tasks in one day prior to Power Chiropractic.  In fact, before my care at Power Chiropractic, I would come home from work and relax on the couch to rest my back.  I would dread doing anything after work because I knew my back would be killing me.  Fortunately, my symptoms, if any, are at a minimum, and what symptoms I may have from time to time are tolerable.

I now enjoy my career again.   It is a pleasure to be teaching without having back spasms.  I look forward to going to work; as opposed to a few months ago where all I could think about was how I was going to manage my pain all day.   I wake up feeling content that I can get through my work day without severe pain.  I can focus on my job rather than my back pain.  Because of my adjustments with Dr. Dan, I feel that I am able to stand and maintain better posture at work which explains why my back feels better at work.  Before my injury, my legs and posture would get lazy from standing all day.  Now, I can stand and teach all day with much greater ease than ever before.

As far as my fitness, I am back on track.  I work out at least 5 days a week.  I am walking, swimming, cycling, and skiing; all the things I am passionate about.  In addition to my cardio exercise, I am doing strength and resistance training with light weights and cable machines.  Prior to Power Chiropractic, my only form of exercise was stretching and walking.   I am amazed that in just a few months I am able to train at a high level again.  I never thought I would regain my level of fitness.  Not only am I doing the things I love, but I am doing them all feeling better.   As a result of my improved fitness level, my blood pressure is down, my anxiety has diminished, and I am a happier person who looks at the glass half full rather than half empty.

Power Chiropractic has not only improved how I function from day to day, but it has immensely improved my nutrition plan.  The DVD’s and workshops at Power Chiropractic have taught me about the foods I should include in my nutrition plan.  My breakfast now consists of organic rolled oats with blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, ground flax seed and dashes of ground cinnamon on top.  In addition to the oats, I may have a slice of Ezekiel bread with almond butter.  Sometimes I have gluten free Pancakes with organic sugar free syrup, or I may have a green drink/smoothie that is listed on Dr. Dan’s website.  My breakfast now gives me great energy to last me throughout the day.  My old breakfast plan used to make me feel tired by the time I got to work.  For lunch, I have an apple or an orange with some broccoli and brussel sprouts.  In general, I try to have a blend of fruits and vegetables  or a green drink.  I either make a green drink from the greens and vegetables I have in my refrigerator or I mix water with the Super Foods Green Powder from Garden of Life, which can be purchased at Power Chiropractic.  For dinner, I no longer buy take-outs from deli ‘s or fast food restaurants; except for Saturday evenings, all my meals are made at home.  My dinner usually consists of organic grass fed-chicken with quinoa and at least two vegetables, or wild Alaskan Broiled Salmon or Cod with a sweet potato and spinach, or an organic veggie burger with a fresh bed of greens, or a smoothie/shake from Dr. Dan’s website.  Each week, I make it a goal to learn a new recipe so that I do not get tired of eating the same recipe.  Since I rarely cooked at home before, I am amazed at what I can make for supper that is both flavorful and healthy.   I do not miss the take-outs at all.  My snacks now consist of almonds, pumpkin seeds, garden of life protein bars, fruits, and vegetables.  I find that by consuming fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and artichokes, I am much more satisfied and do not have the cravings for chips, chocolate, or cake.  Snacking now makes me feel good and gives me a boost of energy.  Before when I was done snacking, I felt lousy and ready for bed.  What a difference!!!

Most recently, I changed the products I use for cooking, personal hygiene, and household cleaning. Because I cook at home six days a week, I invested in a set of stainless steel cookware from Cuisinart.  My old cookware, which was made of Teflon, and my microwave are gone.  During the Total Makeover Workshops held at Power Chiropractic, I’ve learned about the toxicity in some of the chemicals I was using for washing my face, brushing my teeth, and cleaning my home.  I now use organic soap by Jason for cleansing, I use lemon juice to clean household grease on my stove and countertop, I use pure white vinegar and water to clean my floors, and I use vegetable oil with white vinegar for dusting my furniture.  By using these ingredients to clean with, I am saving money by not buying expensive cleaning products sold in stores, and I am not breathing in fumes from toxic chemicals.

In conclusion, I feel incredibly grateful for having met Dr. Dan.  My adjustments with Dr. Dan coupled with my new nutrition and fitness plan has helped me in countless ways that no other professional in the health or fitness field has helped me before.  My mental and physical being is the best it has been in years.  I now live more days feeling energized and in the zone than ever before.  I realize that life is a journey and that I do not want to just survive, but I want to thrive throughout my journey.  I feel that everything happens for a reason.  Perhaps my back injury happened so that I obtain corrective health care to maximize my future.  Instead of spending hours in a doctor’s office and money on prescriptions, I am spending time and money on my road bike, on the ski slopes, or enjoying life in general.   I want the most out of my life, and in order for that to happen, my mind and body need to be connected.  So as I continue my care at Power Chiropractic, I look forward to learning more from Dr. Dan so that I keep on thriving and not just surviving!!!

Sincerely

 

Tuesday, 24 April 2012 20:23

I have been a patient of Dr. Dan for a few months. I came to him seeking relief for lower back and shoulder pain. Within only a few months of treatment I have had several life changing experiences and have seen my stress and anxiety levels decrease

To start, my energy level has increased. I have been able to do major projects aroudn the house and yard easily without  much back or shoulder pain like i had previously.

I enjoy exercising, weight lifting, running, and practical martial arts. I find that I can do all these things with more energy, fewer body aches,  and with a better attitude to meet the goals I set.

My sleep has become much more restful. I feel refreshed when awakening rather than still being tired.

My allergy symptoms have been slowly disappearing as are joint aches, annoying body aches with that sluggish feeling.

I feel I have gained 10 yrs of my life back, thank you Dr. Dan!

Monday, 02 April 2012 17:52

I was suffering from chronic upper shoulder and neck pain for over 30 years.  Working in an office in front of a computer all day wasn’t helping my condition either.   I was taking Tylenol on a regular basis to take the edge off the discomfort.   My wife was also giving me neck and shoulder rubs with Ben Gay almost daily.   Both of these offered only temporary relief.   I had the discomfort for so long I felt it was just something I had to live with for the rest of my life.

Before starting at Power Chiropractic I thought my diet was relatively ok. A normal day’s diet would consist of:

· Cheerios with pasteurized skim milk or eggs & pasteurized cheese.

· 3-4 mugs of coffee with skim milk.

· Candy treats.

· Chicken or tuna sandwiches with whole wheat breads, sometimes with diet sodas.

· Dinner included chicken, meat or pastas with sauces.

· Food often heated in a microwave oven.

· Desserts included 4-6 tablespoons of crunchy peanut butter and 3-4 cups of Frosted Shredded Wheat.

· Nightly treats included 3-4 large gourmet lollypops.

· More fruits than vegetables.

· Very little water.

After my first adjustment I felt an immediate relief from my neck strain. I had a good feeling about my decision to go to Power Chiropractic from day one, and this initial feeling was later confirmed a hundred times over. As my adjustments continued I began to experience gradual and positive changes in my neck and upper shoulders. During this time I also incorporated the traction and wobble ball exercises every day at home. At some point after a month or two I realized that I no longer needed to take pain medication. About the same time it occurred to me I wasn’t asking my wife for Ben Gay massages any more either! When I first started treatment the angle in the curvature of my neck was very low. After just 3 months of adjustments it had increased by over 10 degrees! My posture also improved significantly. I was getting better sleep at night and feeling more energetic during the day.

I also began to notice other improvements in my health. I had been addicted to Afrin for years to for relief from a chronic nasal congestion. One night I just realized “I don’t think I need this anymore”. I didn’t take it that night and haven’t felt a need for it since. The craving or addiction was gone! I had a mild case of psoriasis which had plagued me for decades. I’m beginning to notice my symptoms diminishing in severity and appearing to be gradually going away. I also have been on a statin drug, Pravachol, for 10 years. Last week my lipid scores were the best I ever experienced. I’ve been able to cut my dosage in half for the first time. At my next doctor’s appointment in May I’m expecting him to allow me to go off this drug completely. Finally, I wasn’t overweight but I have been struggling to lose that last 8 pounds for the past few years. In the past two months, as I transitioned to more foods on the Whole Foods/Healing diet plan, those 8 pound seemed to melt away as I was continuing my new diet and doing my burst exercises regularly. For the first time in my life I’m exactly where I need to be weight-wise.

My physical improvements were great but only the beginning of what would turn into a wonderful and exciting journey of awakening and self-discovery in all aspects of my being. I feel like I awoke from a “mental slumber” and for the first time in my life began to understand and appreciate what the concept of health really means on all levels – physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual. I think the workshop Dr. Dan conducted in January on the notion of turning your New Year’s Resolutions into Revolutions was the turning point for me, or trigger, which enabled me to make the full commitment to health and well being. This was the “pinch in the arm” that woke me up! The Extreme Makeover Challenge cemented the deal!

Dr. Dan has created a complete environment for wellness at his clinic. The pervasive motivational quotes and tidbits of information on the walls, the DVDs, the healthy vitamin and supplement offerings, the workshops, the weekly radio show, the trips to Wegmans, and the burst training instructions have all contributed to my learning and growth. The clinic’s supportive staff and Dr. Dan’s own willingness to answer questions and give advice at any time, and any place - in the adjustment room, in the hallway, at the front desk or in his office - further contribute to this positive effect. Patients find themselves in an atmosphere of “gentle nudging” to help them make the right choices, to go in the right direction, to make their own discoveries on how to manage their progress at their own level and at their own speed.

Gradually I began to realize how off the mark I was diet-wise on so many levels. Now my daily diet consists of:

· A breakfast of ground flaxseed & hemp powder, sesame seeds, berries, bananas, grapes with unsweetened coconut milk, or cage-free organic chicken egg omelets loaded with cut up vegetables and some unpasteurized cheese.

· A daily maximum 1 to 1 1/2 small cups of coffee with almond mild.

· Vegetable smoothies for morning and afternoon snacks.

· Ezekiel bread sandwiches with free range chicken, black bean patties or avocados and tomatoes.

· Dinner with wild-caught salmon or grass-fed beef.

· Daily salads with avocados and cruciferous vegetables, with more vegetables than fruits.

· No microwaved food.

· Almond butter has replaced peanut butter.

· Daily doses of ginger, cinnamon, garlic, apple cider vinegar.

· Daily snacks of nut and seed mixes (including walnuts, almonds, hazel nuts, pistachio nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, organic raisins and coconut shavings).

· I drink half my weight in ounces of filtered water daily.

· I pay greater attention to the glycemic index and PH values of foods.

Thanks to Dr. Dan and Power Chiropractic, in just a few short months I’ve made a “revolutionary” leap to a new level of awareness about the true meaning of health. I’ve shed my old skin and know I will never go back to the person I once was just a few short months ago. I understand that my life’s goal cannot be just to settle but must be to maximize my health. And finally, I realize that this commitment represents a lifelong process – a wonderful journey of learning and discovery!

Monday, 02 April 2012 17:36