February is cancer prevention month, a good reminder for us all to aim to eat better, move more and weigh less.  Statistics show that one in three Americans will experience a malignancy sometime in their lifetime -- keeping mindful of living a healthy lifestyle, being in tune with your body for any unusual changes and scheduling regular checkups can go a long way in reducing your cancer risk.

February 4th is designated "World Cancer Day."  If you or a loved one is struggling with a cancer diagnosis or finding it difficult to return to normal living after a battle with cancer, come visit my Healing Boobies website or join my  Healing Boobies Facebook community.  You'll be part of a supportive community and learn coping skills to handle the emotional scars that cancer leaves behind so you can "Get Your Happy Back."

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your healthcare team.

--Dr. Keri Chiappino and D r. W. Brent Reynolds

P.S. February is also Valentine's Day which means it's time for our annual "Chiro-Tine" special!  Send us the names of friends or relatives that you think would benefit from our care.  We'll send a Chiro-tine from you, which entitles the recipient to $75 toward their initial chiropractic visit or a QEEG brain map for BrainCore therapy. We'll thank you when they come in for their visit with your choice of:

• a 15mL bottle of oil (citrus fresh, lemon, lime or peppermint) 
• a free QEEG Brain Map or 
• a free 30-minute massage

Call the office to learn more.  631.265.1223

Read more about brain-wave training for managing anxiety

Fe bruary is Heart Health Month - Incorporate Meditation into your Heart Healthy Lifestyle

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death worldwide. Following a heart healthy diet, exercising, adopting healthy lifestyle habits and reducing stressors are all part of the mix for a healthier heart.

Did you know that just 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise, such as a brisk walk, can help lower the risk of stroke, heart disease and diabetes, not to mention increase your mobility, reduce your weight and give your energy levels a boost? No need for pricey gym memberships -- just a good pair of sneakers, a quality playlist and a picturesque path can offer numerous physical and mental benefits at a low cost.

In addition to exercise, a new study has found that meditation can help to reduce the risk of heart disease. Mindful meditation was found to decrease levels of stress, anxiety and depression which are linked to heart disease, and has the added benefit of reducing blood pressure, promoting improved quality of sleep, and overall well-being. So encouraging are the study results, that the American Heart Association has issued a statement touting meditation for its role in a heart-healthy strategy.

So how does one meditate? Start by choosing a quiet spot with little distraction. Next, get into a comfortable sitting position, straightening your spine and neck to promote energy flow, folding your hands in your lap. Close your eyes and become aware of your breathing, counting each breath in and out. Listening to a guided meditation can help to focus thoughts and open the mind to positive suggestions that will help overcome challenges and promote mind/body wellness.

You may find meditation helps enable improvements in rapid memory recall, heightened focus, more creativity and less anxiety. Dedicating meditation time in the morning can help start the school day or work day on the right foot.

Dr. Chiappino offers downloadable guided meditations to help you visualize and achieve your goals. Visit http://newlifechiropractic.com/services/meditations/ to learn more.

Read more about meditation for heart disease prevention

The U.S. is experiencing a very active flu season this year, which has impacted most of the country.  Having reached epidemic proportions, it is critical to take immediate precautions to protect the health of your family. Listed below are steps you can take to bolster your immune system naturally: 

 
1. Firstly, and perhaps the easiest and most commonsense advice: be sure to wash hands frequently throughout the day. Before eating, of course, but anytime you come in contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, i.e. shopping malls, doctors' offices, mass transit, automated teller machines, etc. Making sure to wash up when returning home at the end of the day can significantly reduce the chance of catching the flu.

2. Give your body the rest it needs -- aim for eight hours of sleep each night.

3. Eat an inflammatory diet -- give up the junk food. A healthy diet decreases inflammation and your chance of being susceptible to flu and cold.

4. Get out for a few minutes of natural Vitamin D from the sun when possible.

5. Supplement daily -- when natural sunlight isn't possible during winter, supplement your diet with high quality Vitamin D supplements from reliable sources like nutraMetrix.

6. Keep hydrated -- strive to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water daily.

7. Eliminate toxins from your environment that poison the immune system. This means personal care and household cleaning products. Switch to essential oil alternatives.   Diffuse essential oils at home, at work  or in the car to help purify the air, or use your oils to create a natural hand sanitizer. (Check out the many benefits of our favorite, Thieves!)

8. Exercise -- 30 minutes a day helps bolster the immune system and reduce stress that can weaken it.

9. Try acupuncture.  Studies show acupuncture helps give your body the boost it needs to fight off illness.  For those already suffering from flu or cold, acupuncture can reduce fever, chills, sore throat, body aches and helps in overall recovery time.

10. See your chiropractor -- Regular chiropractic care helps to stimulate the responses of the immune and the nervous system to help you better fight off flu. 

 
Let us help you enhance your body's natural flu fighting abilities. Call our office to schedule your appointment or to stock up on supplements and essential oils.

Discover the many benefits of your  Young Living oils kit and how to best use them for your family's health.  Join us from the comfort of your own home or office for our Virtual "Members Only" Essential Oils Kit Class  via the Zoom video conferencing app on Wednesday, February 7 at 1:30pm (register at bit.ly/KitClass2-7 ) or Monday, February 12 at 7:30pm (register at bit.ly/KitClass2-12.  The Zoom app is accessible on  your smartphone, tablet or desktop.     

Not a member? Call our office to learn how to enroll . 631.265.1223.