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Holiday Stress Raises Health Risks, Sacramento Chiropractor Cautions

With the holiday season upon us and Thanksgiving and other seasonal observances underway, it is important to your good health to take a few simple steps to reduce the stress and strain of this busy time.  This is especially important in light of the recent environment of crisis and stress so many have experienced because of economic concerns, weather, wildfires in the West and international conflicts.  With these recent challenges in mind, issues and concerns related to our own safety and security are very real to people of all ages.  Take a little time to slow down, recognize the need to have a little more patience, plan ahead with the thought of reducing the stress of last minute efforts.  Make a special point during this holiday season to express your thoughts and feelings to your friends and loved ones.

You can start by taking a little extra care of yourself and your family at the dinner table.  Have you ever filled yourself with great holiday food and pushed away from the table in agony?  This may be the beginning of an unhealthy scenario that you can avoid this holiday season, according to the International Chiropractors Association.

"A bulging stomach can put pressure on your body's support systems, including your spine and spinal nerves," advises Dr. Jeri Anderson, a Sacramento chiropractor who deals with the health needs of people of all ages in the community.  "Every extra pound in the abdominal region could put 10 pounds more stress on the lower back.  This stress can last a short time, such as just after eating a heavy meal or lifting a package improperly.  It may also become chronic, as heavy eating during the holidays may lead to weight gain, and carrying extra pounds can put added strain on the supporting structures of the spine and nervous system."

Additional weight can force the pelvis and torso to shift and cause changes in spinal balance, leading to spinal misalignments (known as subluxations) and malfunction in the entire body.  Dr. Jeri suggests eating in moderation and taking a 15-20 minute walk after a big meal to ease discomfort and burn a few calories.  Fitness research findings indicate you can burn up to 100 calories in a 30-minute walk.

What you eat is as important as how much you eat, and more and more evidence indicates that eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, low sodium and low sugar recipes and limiting your intake of red meat protein, starches such as pasta, bread, corn and potato chips, and fats and oils, are all essential to maintaining your good health.

The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) has prepared a list of health tips to help protect your back and general health over the holidays:

• Lift packages, firewood, your frozen holiday turkey and other heavy items with your legs, not your back.  When lifting, hold objects close to your body; rather than flexing forward, maintain a slight arch in your lower back and bend at the knees before standing up with the object.  That way, the lifting is done primarily with the strong muscles of the legs supporting the load.  Don't wait until you are hurting to see your doctor of chiropractic.  Chiropractic adjustments can keep you going at your peak and help you get extra enjoyment during the holiday season.
• When cooking or standing for an extended period, elevate one foot with a foot rest or stacked books, about six inches from the floor.  Alternately elevating each foot relieves tired back and leg muscles—similar to the function the footrest serves for customers standing at a counter—and helps prevent bad posture habits that can lead to abnormal spinal curvatures.
• Travel stress can be minimized if you start your journey having gotten plenty of rest ahead of time, allow plenty of extra time to your destination, pack light, use well-balanced wheeled luggage when you can and be careful to avoid heavy loads on your shoulders from bags with shoulder straps. 
• When traveling by car or plane, place a pillow or folded towel behind the small of the back to help maintain the arch in your lower back and support the rest of the body properly.  This relieves the discs and joint structures of the spine from unnecessary pressure.
• In addition to fastening your seat belt for car trips, adjust the headrest to align with your head, at least up to ear level.  This is important to support and protect the head and neck in the unfortunate event of a sudden stop.
• Get enough rest.  Many health problems that occur with the holidays are simply due to fatigue.  By simply getting adequate rest, you can help prevent structural strain, emotional and cognitive imbalance, and general health problems.

For further information on health and chiropractic, contact Dr. Jeri Anderson, DC, CSCS, CCSP, CCST at Capitol Chiropractic:  (916) 368-1600.

Top 10 Tips For Avoiding Colds & Flu Naturally

By Dr. Jeri Anderson, DC, CSCS, CCSP, CCST
Capitol Chiropractic, Sacramento, CA

We’ve all heard that we should wash our hands frequently and not rub our faces with our hands, etc.  Having followed these instructions, many people still succumb to colds and flu.  So, let’s take a look at some powerful tips for preventing these illnesses that have often been overlooked:

1. Get Chiropractic Care.  Research has shown time and again, that chiropractic adjustments have a positive effect on immune system function.  Remember, your immune system is controlled and coordinated by your nerves.  Doesn’t it just make sense to keep your spine and neurologic system functioning well so that your immune system has the best chance to do its job well?

2. Build Great Cells.  Chiropractic adjustments and nutrition are two of the most powerful tools that your immune system has to fight off infection naturally.  There are no drugs more powerful in the long-term than what you eat on a daily basis. Eat fresh, organic, whole, nutritious foods; not highly processed and refined food or fast food.  Ask yourself when you start to eat something:  “Is this going to build me up or tear me down?”  If you cannot make yourself eat well, at least use whole food supplements to help bridge the gap.

3. Cleanse Your System.  The average person has at least 91 chemicals lodged in their body tissues; some people have up to 500!  Yuck, that is a heavy load for your body and immune system to deal with.  Your body is so tied up trying to “take the trash out” that your immune system is behind the curve before cold & flu season even starts.   Use chlorella and/or glutathione.  They are both are wonderful detoxifying agents to haul out some of the trash that has built up in your tissues and they are easy on your system.

4. Eliminate Sugar/Sweets/Simple Carbs/Fake Sugar.  These foods depress immune function for hours after ingesting them.  Avoid high fructose corn syrup as well. 

5. Get Enough Rest.  Your body needs down time to regenerate and rebuild.  Lack of sleep is a complete drain on immunity.  Get at least 8 hours of quality sleep each night, more if you are run down.

6. Supplement With Quality Omega-3.  Every human needs omega 3 daily.  It is very important to immune function.  Your body cannot make omega 3, you must get it in your diet.  Flax will not provide enough.  Cheap oils are garbage and can be loaded with toxins, so invest in quality oils.

7. Avoid Pain Medications.  Not only do most pain meds increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, liver & kidney failure and certain types of cancer; they also strip your cells of glutathione, which is an essential key to immune function.  Get adjusted and stop masking the problem!  By the way, omega-3 is very powerful at reducing pain and inflammation and it decreases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, certain cancers, etc.

8. Hydrate and Eliminate Caffeine.  Divide your body weight in half.  The resulting number is the number of ounces that you should consume of pure water each day.  Caffeine dehydrates you, which negatively effects immune function and detoxification.

9. Exercise Regularly.  Movement is life to the human body.  Proper exercise keeps your body running at its best and builds immune function.

10. Meditate, Reduce Stress, Smile, Laugh, Think Positive!

For more information contact Dr. Jeri at Capitol Chiropractic:  (916) 368-1600, or visit:  www.CapChiro4Health.com

Parents’ Supervision Key to Ensuring Safe After School Athletics Fun

Sacramento Chiropractor:  Dr. Jeri Anderson, DC, CSCS, CCSP, CCST
Honored Lifetime Member of the International Chiropractors Association

With the start of a new school year, kids of all ages will be gathering before, during and after school to compete in a variety of sports and physical activities.  Football, cheerleading, soccer, hockey, gymnastics and in recent years what was once a winter indoor sport but has now become a year-round phenomenon, basketball, will all be pursued with vigor and enthusiasm as kids get back together at school.  From the most junior recreational leagues and school programs to informal "pickup" games in the parks and playgrounds, indoor and outdoor athletics are a significant part of how young people spend their recreation time. 

“This is a wonderfully healthy trend, and even better if parents help by making sure the basic rules of safety and injury prevention are applied.  Doctors of chiropractic everywhere encourage increased physical activity among people of all ages as part of an effective program of maintaining health and vitality the natural way” according to Dr. Jeri Anderson, Sacramento area chiropractor.  This is especially true in light of so many recent reports citing inactivity in childhood obesity among the world's most alarming health trends.

The following guidelines will help Sacramento area coaches, parents and young athletes enjoy safe and healthy sports activities, whether competitive or recreational:

• For all sports endeavors, and particularly those involving high energy, rapid motion activities, a clean, safe playing surface is important.  Parents and coaches should always ensure that young athletes have safe places to play.  Outdoor facilities are particularly prone to damage from seasonal temperature changes.  Adult athletes and supervisors of younger players need to ensure that the surfaces they play on, whether indoors or outside, are free from obstructions and dangerous situations such as wet or uneven surfaces.
• Make the time to visit your child's school, park or playground at the start of the school year to see for yourself the conditions of their play areas, and to let them know that you care about their safety and their fun.  Also, nothing means more to a child than to have their parents as regular spectators at their games or competitions.
• Safe sports activities require appropriate sports gear, and safe gear includes proper footwear.  Proper footwear will help ensure needed stability and buoyancy, will minimize impact stress on the spine and supporting joints during running and jumping, assist in maintaining alignment and balance in movement, and reduce loss of balance and chance of injury from falls.
• Be sure to include an appropriate warm-up activity before playing in a game.  This might include jogging or other aerobically oriented activities followed by gentle stretching.
• After any period of intense exercise, athletes should always have a cool down period, with gentle stretching of muscles.  This will help to normalize cardiac function back to resting heart rate as well as reduce muscular soreness and tension.
• Include both strength and flexibility training in your pre-game athletic training program.  The human body was not necessarily designed to tolerate all of the stress and strain that fast-moving and high impact athletic activities can place on complex structures.  This is particularly true of the weight-bearing regions of the body, such as the joints involving the lower back, pelvis and knee.
• An adequate and balanced nutritional base is important to any extended period of intense activity.  Difficult to digest foods and toxic substances should be avoided.  Sufficient supplies of liquid should be on hand both throughout and following a period of activity, and utilized as needed.
• Encourage young people to pay attention when outplaying on the court or on the field.  Loss of concentration leads to increased chance of injury. 
• Before beginning a program of exercise, athletes should visit their doctor of chiropractic for an examination and spinal screening.  Healthy body systems, postural balance, muscular strength, flexibility, and neurological responsiveness are important components for maximum performance in both sports activities and in the "game of life."
• Chiropractic care can add to athletic performance by enhancing balance, mobility and reducing pain and restriction.  Proper spinal alignment is an important component of good health as well as healthy athletic performance.
• REMEMBER, PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUGS LIKE STEROIDS ARE NEVER THE ANSWER TO STRENGTHENING YOUR GAME.  INSTEAD, THEY CAN HARM OR EVEN CAUSE DEATH!

Chiropractic care can make a significant contribution to athletic performance by keeping the athlete's spine in proper alignment, avoiding harmful irritation to the nerves that control and coordinate the functions and movements of the human body.  Nearly all world-class athletes have a doctor of chiropractic on their healthcare team.

Chiropractic is a natural form of health care.  Doctors of chiropractic provide a healthy alternative to pain medication, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other chemicals, which may address symptoms but not resolve the cause of the problem and expose the patient to potentially damaging side effects of chemicals dulling the mind or slowing the body.  Chiropractic is safe and effective for a wide range of health concerns for patients of all ages.

For more information on chiropractic care, injury prevention and maximum human performance, contact Sacramento chiropractor, Dr. Jeri Anderson, at Capitol Chiropractic:  (916) 368-1600 or go to www.CapChiro4Health.com

Meet a Chiropractor - Jeri Anderson of Sacramento

By Daria Belov, planetc1.com-news

The capital of the state of California, is the home and practice location of Sacramento born and raised chiropractor Jeri Anderson. An individual dedicated to serving her community, Dr. Jeri Anderson provides chiropractic care to residents and visitors to California's fourth largest metropolitan area. She has a contagious enthusiasm about chiropractic and life that is sure to energize those she comes in contact with.

We contacted Dr. Anderson for a Planet Chiropractic interview to learn more about her introduction to chiropractic and her love for serving the Central Valley area of Sacramento. It's my pleasure to introduce you to Dr. Jeri Anderson.

Dr. Jeri Anderson,
DC, CSCS, CCST, CCSP
Capitol Chiropractic
9500 Micron Ave., # 108,
Sacramento, CA 95827
(916) 368-1600

PC: How did you get introduced to chiropractic?

JA: I was introduced to chiropractic at age 18, after experiencing neck and back injuries from years of equestrian sports. At the time, I was a skeptic of chiropractic that landed in a chiropractic office after nothing else worked. Not only did chiropractic work, the results of my care were so fantastic that they transformed my life.

PC: You grew up in a state that is home to four different chiropractic colleges, where did you attend?

JA: I received an excellent education at Life Chiropractic College-West, graduating cum laude with the Clinical Excellence Citation in 1986.

PC: I understand Life West teaches a variety of chiropractic adjusting techniques, what kind of methods did you take away from your education and apply to your practice?

JA: Each patient's needs are unique, so as chiropractor I feel it is always important to have the right tool for the job. Therefore, I have diligently studied a variety of techniques in order to do my job well. I earned an Advanced Proficiency rating with the Activator technique, which is often described as a painless chiropractic technique that is effective for all ages and body types. I have a thorough understanding and skillset for the Gonstead technique, having taught Gonstead at Life Chiropractic College-West. Additionally, I often use SOT, diversified, NUCCA and Thompson methods to help my patients.

PC: Sound like you're quite proficient in your delivery of chiropractic methods. Are there other services you provide in your practice?

JA: I have very advanced training and certifications in the care of auto injury patients and have testified in the Oregon and California courts as a expert on the subject. Additionally, I hold advanced credentials in the area of sports injuries and exercise training and have completed over 100 hours of postgraduate training in injury/neurologic rehabilitation. That being said, I am most proud of the families that I take care of; many of which span four generations. I really enjoy helping anybody who walks through our doors.

PC: For people living or visiting the Sacramento area that want to become patients in your office, what forms of payment does your practice accept?

JA: We bill individual and group health insurance, union health insurance, auto insurance and attorney liens. We have affordable care for those without insurance.

PC: Looks like everyone has access to chiropractic care in your place. With the state of health care today, that's a great thing. When we step outside your chiropractic office what else is in the area?

JA: Our patients find it very convenient that 24 Hour Fitness, Wells Fargo, West Marine, Fireside Bank, Strings Restaurant and American General Finance are all situated in our office complex.

PC: Those sound like some great neighbors to have nearby your business. You grew up in the Sacramento area or did you move there after graduating from chiropractic college?

JA: I am a local product having been born and raised in the Sacramento area. I never thought I would end up back here after graduating from chiropractic college in 1986 and setting up my first practice in Ashland, Oregon. However, upon learning that my Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1991, I decided to come back to Sacramento. I am happy to report that my Dad is 83, full of life, still driving and in great spirits! I am also happy to report that I love being back in Sacramento with my friends, patients and family!

PC: You apparently love what you do. Anybody ever accuse you of being just a slight enthusiastic?

JA: Chiropractic is more than just a profession to me; it is just a great way of living life. I have enjoyed helping chiropractic patients from all walks of life: from Olympic and professional athletes, Grammy winners and business leaders to newborn babies, 101 year old seniors and four generation families.

I absolutely love what I do and have proudly celebrated a few milestones along the way. While in attendance at Life-West, I had the largest intern practice in the history of the college outpatient clinic at that time. Now that was fun! Here are a few of the highlights for me over the past 20 plus years in chiropractic:

Advanced Certifications:

• Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, National Strength & Conditioning Association.
• Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner, American Board of Chiropractic Sports Physicians
• Chiropractic Certification in Whiplash & Spinal Trauma Care, International Chiropractors Association
• Advanced Proficiency Rating, Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique
• Advanced Program Graduate, Whiplash & Brain Traumatology - Spine Research Institute of San Diego

Awards:

• Botterman Scholarship, California Chiropractic Association
• Clinical Excellence Citation, Life Chiropractic College-West
• America's Top Chiropractors
• Best of U.S.
• 2007 Alumna of the Year, Life Chiropractic College-West
• Honored Lifetime Member, International Chiropractors Association

PC: You haven't been lazying around, do you have a web site with more information about your practice and the services?

JA: Due to the amount of educational information that we find important to share, we actually maintain 3 separate websites. Each website is dedicated to specific areas: www.CapChiro4Health.com - Our main chiropractic health education and information website. Enjoy over 400 pages of quality content. Research and learn about the chiropractic lifestyle. Find out how we have reduced or eliminated pain and improved the quality of health naturally for many, without the use of drugs and their often harmful side effects. We provide care that is safe, effective, affordable and gentle. Check out our monthly special!

www.WhiplashRecovery.com - For in depth information regarding auto accident injury. Watch Injury TV and learn about whiplash and auto safety.

www.DrJeriAnderson.com - Listen to our patients share their awesome chiropractic stories via their video testimonials and written testimonials. Learn how chiropractic care helps many specific conditions. Visit the links section for excellent references regarding chiropractic, nutrition, parenting, choices for family health, and children's safety.

PC: Wow, no messing around at Capitol Chiropractic, your presence is all over the Internet. Tell us more about the inside of the office.

JA: When you enter our office you will be welcomed and greeted with a smile! Our office is very easy to get to as it is right off Highway 50 at the Bradshaw exit. We have plenty of excellent, well-lit parking. Inside of our office we have open, as well as, private patient adjusting rooms. We have a special room with simple equipment dedicated to spinal rehabilitation and a classroom for our educational classes that our patients LOVE. Additionally, we have "those wonderful hydromassage beds", as our patients often tell us! We also have a dedicated kids room with educational toys, books and Disney & Pixar movies where children can enjoy themselves. Parents really appreciate our kids room.

PC: Are the any other members of your family that are chiropractors?

JA: No, but there are a number of chiropractors that are like family to me.

PC: If a patient asked, are there any particular chiropractic schools you would recommend they attend?

JA: Hands down I would recommend Life Chiropractic College-West in Hayward, CA. They have probably the best college president out there in Dr. Gerry Clum, and have state-of-the-art technology on the campus such as weight bearing MRI, digital x-ray and a range of diagnostic equipment for balance disorders.

PC: We've been hearing lots of great things about that school and the president, they have developed quite a reputation in the areas of education and leadership. Tell us more about the city you live in, what is Sacramento like?

JA: Sacramento is a city of rivers, trees and at times…traffic! We have an awesome bike, hiking, and horseback riding trail along the American River that spans over 30 miles one way. We are approximately 90 minutes from San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, or the Napa valley wine country. This makes day trips really easy to some awesome places.

PC: Are you actively involved in any Sacramento area community activities?

JA: Capitol Chiropractic is very dedicated to our community. Each year we host several events. We have gained national attention for our annual Buckle-Up Safe Day; an event dedicated to reducing injuries and deaths associated with auto accident injuries. We also host an annual Patient Appreciation Day in which we invite our patients to come enjoy chiropractic care, massage, food and refreshments, face painting and balloons for the kids, etc all for charity. In other words, all of our services performed on Patient Appreciation Day are performed for free or on a donation basis, with 100% of the proceeds donated to a local charity. We have supported many charities such as the Sacramento chapter of American Diabetes Association, Kiwanis Family House, Sacramento Food Bank, Sacramento Children's Receiving Home, Stanford Children's Home and Loves and Fishes.

PC: So beside you being Sacramento's chiropractic superstar, what is your community's claim to fame?

JA: We are the capitol city! You know, the place where Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger holds his day job.

PC: A local Sacramento TV news crew walks in your front door and you are live on television. The reporter asks "what is it that you do here?" You reply?

JA: Our goal for our patients is simple: To improve your health and improve your life!

PC: Thanks for being a part of our Planet Chiropractic interview series Dr. Anderson. This was a great interview that should provide people with lots of information about your practice and love for chiropractic. Anything you'd like to add?

JA: Chiropractic is my past, present and future and I look forward to celebrating many more milestones in the years ahead!

Jeri Anderson, D.C., Named 2007 Alumna of the Year 

HAYWARD, Calif., December 4, 2007—The Life Chiropractic College West Alumni Association selected Dr. Jeri Anderson, class of 1986, of Sacramento, Calif., as its 2007 Alumna of the Year.  Dr Anderson was recognized at the college’s annual homecoming Gala Dinner and Dance, held on October 20, 2007.

Dr. Anderson’s activities, accomplishments, and service to the profession are remarkable. In addition to her chiropractic license, she has earned advanced credentials including Certified Sports and Conditioning Specialist, Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner, and Chiropractic Certification in Spinal Trauma.

Dr. Anderson also has many philanthropic involvements that impact her Sacramento community, and even some that are nationwide. She was a participant and the treating chiropractor for California AIDS Ride 2000, and she does annual fundraising for groups such as Kiwanis Family House, the Sacramento Food Bank, and the American Diabetes Association.

The level of commitment Dr. Anderson has for Life West is evident in her contributions to the college. She is a member of President’s Circle, was formerly an Adjunct Technique Instructor, and has volunteered to teach weekend seminars for the Women in Chiropractic Club and the Gonstead Club.

Dr. Anderson is the 16th recipient of the Life West Alumnus(a) of the Year Award. The recipient of this award is selected by the Life West Alumni Association Awards Committee, which is made up of his/her peers.