Happy August!

We hope you've been having an enjoyable summer! 

The dog days of summer are upon us -- remember when venturing out on these hot August days to stay hydrated and protected from the sun's strong rays. Click here for some of our safety tips to maximize summer fun: 

August is notorious for high humidity in our area, which not only signals a bad hair day, but also the menace of mosquitoes, and with it the potential for West Nile virus.  Bites from mosquitoes carrying the virus can be permanently debilitating; West Nile has the potential to cause neurological deficits in those with compromised immune systems and adults over 50 years old. Did you know that essential oils can help provide protection against dangerous pests, safely and effectively-- while also reducing your family's daily toxic load? Call our office to learn more about the many benefits of oils and to register for our upcoming Back-to-School essentials lecture on August 28th (see article below for details and other lectures, too).

As you pack the remaining weeks of summer with fun adventures, be sure to k eep up with your regular chiropractic schedule.  Maintaining proper structural alignment with chiropractic care promotes optimal health and range of motion that helps you take part in the summer activities you love. 

Yours in health,

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

P.S. Our office will be closed for chiropractic appointments August 21st - 26th, so please schedule accordingly.  BrainCore, massage and acupuncture appointments are still available during this time.  Please call if you have any questions.

Impatient? Impulsive? 

Can't Resist Temptations? 

Could be an Out-of-Sync Brain 

Impulsive behaviors are typically associated with children with ADHD: blurting out in class, cutting the line, being overly chatty and oftentimes loud; but the truth is, impulsivity disorders affect people of all ages. 

Individuals struggling with impulsivity issues often have limited problem-solving abilities, acting on a whim rather than clearly thinking through the situation and its potential consequences.   In teens, this can lead to alcohol and drugs use.  As they mature into adulthood, substance abuse, gambling addictions and other obsessive compulsive disorders are often common. In fact, studies show that impulsivity and substance use disorders are strongly connected; those facing these challenges are prone to drug and alcohol cravings, as well as potential criminal behavior.

A properly functioning frontal brain area is able to inhibit dangerous impulsivity. Any dysregulation in this region, i.e. abnormal brain-wave patterns, will present difficulties to control these impulses and behavior.   Neurofeedback therapy can help restore integrity to the frontal brain area to improve the neuroplastic circuitry that helps control impulsive and aggressive behavior. 

Stress is a normal part of learning and development in a child's life. Whether it be from test taking or schoolwork, a busy schedule or just everyday pressures, it is a common condition that everyone experiences at one time or another.

During times of stress, there is a brief increase in heart rate and blood pressure and a surge of adrenaline and cortisol that help to energize, protect and defend the body. Periods of short-lived stress that put the body in "fight of flight" mode actually aid performance, enabling the child to rise to the occasion and meet challenges and difficulties with focus and strength. These types of periodic stress can help a child learn determination, resilience, resourcefulness and optimism - helpful tools when navigating in the world.

Chronic, prolonged adversity, such as relationship stress, neglect or abuse, can impair the development of neural connections, weakening the architecture of a child's developing brain. Toxic stress interferes with learning, memory and decision-making, lowers the function of the immune system and is responsible for behavior issues. Left untreated, it can lead to lifelong health problems such as diabetes, depression, anxiety, cardiovascular conditions, addiction and shortened life span.

Fortunately, the brain's "plastic" nature - it's ability to physically change -- enables it to make new, healthy neural connections given the opportunity. Neurofeedback brain-wave training has been shown to be an effective therapy for reducing behavioral, emotional, social and cognitive problems in children with histories of chronic stress, helping the brain to regrow new healthy connections that were lost to adverse experiences. Cognitive therapy, meditation and mindfulness also are helpful avenues to healing; coupled with a nurturing environment, they offer children hope for a bright and healthy future.

Read more: 

Are you starting to reap the harvest of your summer garden?  If zucchini has been bountiful this year, you're probably looking for some mouth-watering recipes that feature this popular veggie.   TLS Weight Loss Systems offers delicious menu ideas from quick weekday recipes to gourmet meals.   Check out their zucchini bread recipe below: