May is here and that means summer is on its way!  Time for barbecues and baseball!   This month we celeb rate all the wonderful moms in our lives.  Happy Mother's Day!

 

May is of special significance for our soon-to-be high school grads who make one of their biggest decis ion s of their lives on May 1 -- "Decision Day" --  by committing to the college of their choice.   If your high school senior is still struggling with some attention issues, or could benefit from pea k performance training to optimize brain function , consider a BrainCore neurofeedback training program this summer.  The summer months  are an ideal time to fine-tune the brain's neural pathways in anticipation of the coming college year. Call us to learn more: 631.265.1223.

On this upcoming Memorial Day and always, we express our gratitude to the men and women who gave their lives for our country, and for those still serving in our military.  Thank you for your service.

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

 

P.S. Our Facebook and Twitter following is growing!  Please help us continue to spread awareness of natural health care by sharing our page with friends!

Does constant worry keep you up at night? Do you ruminate about what could have or should have been done? 

Anxiety is a normal part of life, but when it worsens over time and becomes chronic, it can take a toll on daily living and cause physical symptoms like heart palpitations, trembling, shortness of breath and gastric upset. Those who suffer from anxiety often have focus and attention problems, suffer from panic attacks and ritualistic behaviors like OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). 

 
At the root of anxiety are overactive brain-wave patterns that cause the brain to become "stuck" in high gear. A quantitative electroencephalogram or "QEEG" brain map can help identify these high-frequency brain waves and neurofeedback brain-wave training can help guide the brain to produce normalized patterns, to reduce anxiety and other neurological disorders.

Mindful meditation is another helpful non-drug tool to manage anxiety. Meditation can actually help change the brain's structure to help it function better and to create new healthy neural pathways that help break the cycle of fear, rumination and lack of focus. Using guided meditation, or simply sitting by yourself and doing deep breathing exercises helps bring the brain down into lower gear, enabling you to manage life's constant curveballs more constructively.

Check out Dr. Chiappino's video above to learn more about these helpful tools for fighting anxiety.  Call 631.265.1223 today to schedule your " Q" and get $50 off your initial brain map session!

The stakes are high for teenagers today - studies have shown that teen stress rivals that of adults. Make-or-break testing, competition to be the best in sports, social media and, of course, peer pressure all contribute to teen stress levels. Panic attacks are commonplace in the school setting; many students, fearing an episode may occur in school, will refuse to leave the house and attend class.

Purses/Handbags: Slinging a handbag over one shoulder can cause neck misalignment, putting pressure on the nerves that can trigger tingling sensations down the arm, neck pain and headaches.  A smaller bag with thick straps, perhaps even a backpack, is a better health choice.  The bag should never weigh more than 10 percent of your total body weight (cash in those heavy coins and ditch unnecessary items!). Balance your body by intermittently s witching the carrying shoulders.

High Heels:  Although a fashion favorite, stilettos, wedges and other high-heeled shoes alter the body's center of gravity, throwing off balance and causing the pelvis to tip forward and the neck as well.  This forward head postures puts strain on muscles that support vertebrae in the neck; high heels also impact the curvatures in the spine, diminishing its ability to absorb shock and causing nerve problems like sciatica.   Choosing lower shoes, i.e. 1.5 inches or less, can help to minimize the strain; altering days/amounts of time spent in heels is also beneficial.

Flip Flops: With their lack of support and shock absorption, these summertime staples can wreak havoc on your back, hips and knees, and are a fall/trip hazard.  Choose brands that provide some arch support (i.e. Crocs) and minimize wear time. 

            

Tight Clothing: Studies have shown that low waist or tight jeans can impact the musculoskeletal system as the body makes postural adaptations to compensate for the imbalances from restrictive clothing.  A narrow shirt can cause the shoulders to hunch forward; a large belt can restrict breathing.  Choose comfortable, properly fitting clothes over the latest constricting fad.  Your back will thank you!

An occasional bout of moodiness, irritability or "the blues" is a normal reaction to life's struggles, but when mood swings, stress or sadness become persistent and are left undiagnosed, they can lead to suffering and potentially to life threatening illnesses.