Wellness Posts by Brigitte Cutshall

5 Reasons to Get Regular Chiropractic Adjustments

2023-02-26T05:00:00Z

Wellness.com - 5 Reasons to Get Regular Chiropractic Adjustments by Brigitte Cutshall

There has been an increase in chiropractic acceptance in the past decade. The rise of natural and holistic health care has a lot to do with it. This is in spite of the criticism the practice has received over the years from the medical community. I used to think seeing a chiropractor was crazy, basically because I didn’t really understand it. Chiropractic is based on the principle that spinal joint misalignment can interfere with the nervous system, which can result in lower resistance to disease and other conditions that can diminish your health. Chiropractors focus on the overall health of the patient and provide natural treatments that rely on the body’s innate ability to recuperate. They also recognize that many factors affect health, including exercise, diet, rest, environment, and genetics. Chiropractors will recommend changes in lifestyle that affect those factors. In many instances, they will refer you to or consult with other health practitioners. General chiropractic treatments deal specifically with the spine and the manipulation of the spine by giving you an adjustment. The definition of adjustment means “harmony achieved by modification or change of a position.” I like the word harmony, makes it sound pleasant. On the first visit, your health history is reviewed, and your posture and spine are analyzed. A recommended plan is then developed for you. You have chiropractors that specialize in sports injuries, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, nutrition, internal disorders, or diagnostic imaging. Did you know many professional athletes have regular chiropractic adjustments? Athletes include Usain Bolt, Emmit Smith, Jerry Rice, Carl Lewis, and Tiger Woods; there are so many more. Here are 5 reasons to get chiropractic adjustments regularly: - Less Pain. The number one reason people seek out chiropractic care is to get rid of aches and pains. Chiropractors are successful in finding the underlying cause and correcting it. Supports your immune system. Your nervous system pretty much controls everything and is connected to the endocrine and immune system. Adjustments help balance these connections. Improves athletic performance. Chiropractic care helps with the normal patterns of motion, balance, coordination and equilibrium. Improves flexibility and range of motion. This is important whether you’re an athlete or not. If you get an injury and heal with poor flexibility, your chance of re-injury is increased. Gives you more energy. Many people under chiropractic care experience higher energy levels. The main reason is that pressure is taken off the nerves after an adjustment. The nervous system is the energy and electrical system of the body. When misalignments of the spine occur, energy flow is decreased, which can lead to fatigue and lack of energy. The first chiropractic adjustment for me was 12 years ago after falling on ice. I first went through the typical route to see a medical doctor, x-rays, pain pills, and then physical therapy for 8 weeks. There was still pain after all of that. My husband was the one to recommended meeting with a chiropractor and voila, the pain dissipated after a couple of weeks. The first visit was very funny in hindsight because I screamed when my neck was initially adjusted… not from pain, but because of the loud POPPING noises from my neck! I wasn’t expecting that. My personal chiropractor was very supportive through my breast cancer diagnosis and treatments. Even more important, he really encouraged me through my brain tumor ordeal (my benign tumor is pushing on the brain stem and already affecting the nervous system). Those regular adjustments definitely helped my body recover faster. If seeing a chiropractor is crazy, then I am crazy and fit right in.

An Empowered Approach Helped Me with a Brain Tumor Diagnosis

2020-11-13T08:00:00Z

Wellness.com - An Empowered Approach Helped Me with a Brain Tumor Diagnosis by Brigitte Cutshall

We can all do great things and recover from extraordinary circumstances. It is inside each of us. We just need a little help along the way sometimes to tap into the extra strength needed. Per the National Cancer Institute, there is an estimated 688,000 people in the U.S. that are managing life with a primary brain or central nervous system tumor, majority of them are benign (about 75%). I am part of that data. No one is ever ready to receive a brain tumor diagnosis. A brain tumor diagnosis is life changing. Each person’s experience will be different, but there is a similar sense of fear. I learned to manage that fear by taking an empowered approach. What’s the definition of being empowered? It’s about how you choose to behave through your actions and overall attitude. I was diagnosed with not one, but two primary benign brain tumors in 2009. The first one is a tiny pituitary tumor that was causing symptoms and is what prompted an MRI of my brain. The second tumor is a medium-size acoustic neuroma. This type of tumor grows between the acoustic/hearing, vestibular/balance nerve and facial nerve. Mine is also pushing on the brain stem. Receiving news like that is scary and the fear can be overwhelming. The Patient Empowerment Concept is very beneficial to your recovery. Patient empowerment is being actively involved in the recovery process, which provides a sense of control and can improve the quality of life. I’m thankful to have taken the empowerment route. No matter what type of “problem” you encounter or perceive, here are six actions you can take that provide empowerment: - Express Your Emotions. It is a normal reaction to feel scared, alone and insecure; even angry. It can be challenging but you don’t have to go through it alone. Reach out to others who have had a similar personal experience and talk to experts. Remember to give yourself time to absorb what’s happening. Ask for Help. It’s important to acknowledge the emotional, physical and social needs you’re going through. Friends and family want to help you. It makes it easier for everyone if you can give them specific tasks that you need help with. For example, you can ask them to drive you to appointments, help with grocery shopping and prepping meals, or just simply talk. Gain Control. Consider all treatment options. Communicate with your doctors – view them as partners, part of a team, and not as an adversary. This allows for a higher sense of trust, a greater sense of control with the potential outcome(s), and will provide that needed confidence. Focus on Healthy Eating. Your diet and daily nutrition impacts your health; and the right diet can help you heal. If diagnosed with cancer specifically, it’s recommended to consult with a nutrition expert that has oncology experience. Some foods to avoid would be meat, cheese, food coloring additives, and fried foods. Exercise Your Brain. We know that exercising is good for our bodies, but so is exercising our brains. The brain can get in shape, be strengthened and developed by using it just like any muscle. Brain exercises can improve mental agility and reverse memory loss. Your treatment team can recommend the right regimen for your situation. Learn to Relax.- Being calm is important as it helps reduce the stress you are dealing with. You can learn meditation techniques such as deep breathing exercises and yoga. You can gradually build it into your daily routine. A little bit goes a long way. Being empowered also allows you to find hope in many things. What people hope for changes throughout their lifetime, but rarely does anyone stop hoping. Choose empowerment.-

For the Love of Pets - 5 Great Reasons to Have One

2018-09-30T07:00:00Z

Wellness.com - For the Love of Pets - 5 Great Reasons to Have One by Brigitte Cutshall

Animals have a way of bringing joy into our lives and making us smile, no matter your age. About half the households in the U.S. are pet owners because of this. The holiday season is the most popular time that pets are brought home as gifts. People are well-intentioned when they do this and need to remember it’s a big commitment and responsibility. Training, particularly for dogs, is important to bring out the best in them. They interpret our behavior, understand our energy and will respond to that energy.

My brother, sister and I were exposed to many different animals growing up because our dad was a very curious science teacher. The notorious “pets” were a rabbit, a bird, the iguana, a black snake and baby alligator. I was not a fan of the amphibians. The black snake escaped from its cage and slipped into a floor AC vent, never to be seen again. I have no idea why or where my dad even got the baby alligator…but my mom made him get rid of it immediately.

At my home there are two large dogs and two adopted cats right now; having these pets is a blessing most days, and we’re lucky not having to worry about costs and the time commitment. There are many proven health benefits for people, including physical, mental and emotional improvements with pets around. The benefits outweigh any negatives in my opinion.

My fellow animal lovers will agree with these five great reasons to open your home to a furry friend (or any type of pet), and why doing so can be what the doctor ordered.

1. A pet can be your personal trainer.- Dogs need to be exercised on a daily basis. A fenced yard really is not enough. Doing activities with them is a treat and movement is healthy for both of you. You can take them walking, hiking, jogging, swimming, and even along for a bike ride. Cats need movement too and that can be through interactive play if they are kept indoors.

2. A pet is good for your heart.- Petting an animal has a calming effect and decreases your cortisol level (stress hormone). They fill your heart with love and help reduce risks such as a heart attack. According to the CDC -– pets can help reduce your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

3. Pets give you a sense of purpose.- You establish an emotional bond with them like a family member. Taking care of them does require responsibility and that can give you a sense of value and importance. It also adds a positive focus to your life. An added bonus – allowing your children to help take care of the pets is great way to teach them about empathy along with responsibility.

4. Pets provide companionship.- They offer unconditional love, and this can help reduce loneliness and boost your overall mood. Animal-assisted therapy is very popular with nursing homes and hospitals too. When I was young, I brought my dog to a nursing home near our neighborhood so the residents could pet her. It made them all smile and had a big impact. She wasn’t “certified” officially, but the staff allowed us in anyway.

5. Pets are a great way to bond with others.- Pets are social facilitators. They provide common ground to interact with others and help develop friendships. There’s the empathy factor in play again. And you can’t neglect a smiling stranger when they ask about your pet. One of my dogs is a Great Pyrenees and she’s a rock star when we take her out in public. People come up to us and ask questions, pet her, hug her and even take pictures with her.
Remember that animals don’t care about what you have or what you look like. They accept you for who you are. What’s not to love about that?