Family Fridays at Nimmo Wellness

You can tell that it is almost springtime around the office. Thanks to patient Wendy S. for bringing in the great daffodil bouquet this morning. The cherry blossom trees out front are also starting to bud.

Every day is a great day in the office, but on Fridays are especially fun. I call it Family Friday because I not only take care of patients but I also take care of the people I love the most- mom, dad, wife.  My wife Tiffany comes in for her weekly adjustment after swimming at the Princess Anne rec center (check out the Tie Dye 5K Run/Walk for the Arts poster in the background, she is coordinating the run on April 2, early bird pricing expires March 15). She has had some slight knee pain in the last few days. The rotation of her hips was affecting her knee causing torque on her femur. I adjusted her hips and unlocked her tibia where it had rotated. I also adjusted her ankle, relieving stress on that side of the body so nerves could function properly. Finally I gently released tension from the iliotibial band to get it to relax. We both have major workouts scheduled for this weekend in preparation for Boston Marathon so operating at 100% is important to us both.

On a side note, I also liked this Friday in particular because my North Carolina Tarheels just beat Miami in the ACC tournament. Go Heels! Have a great weekend everyone!

Drink more water?

This topic should be more frequently discussed in my office, as most people are underhydrated. When I do recommend drinking more water, most folks say they already do drink enough; however the water is often in a mixed form such as tea, lemonade, etc... The desired effects aren't as readily received when water is mixed. Pure, un-carbonated, un-compromised water is the best. There are many water treatment systems that claim to be the best, backed up by numerous studies which contradict each other. I rely on spring water or tap water(some think tap is "gross"). My wife and I exercise more than the average person so we consume much more water, than the daily norms, to make up for the amount we lose through sweating. It is recommended that the average person, daily, drink a number of fluid ounces equal to the number which is half of his/her body weight number in pounds. For example, if John Smith weighs 200 pounds, he should drink 100 fluid ounces of water a day. If Jill Smith weighs 140, she should drink 70 fl oz.
There are many potential, positive effects of adequate hydration:
1) Decreased appetite is a huge positive considering we live in an age where obesity is at an all time high. Dehydration creates a false sense of hunger, so increasing hydration or drinking more water will suppress the appetite.
2) Decreased inflammation is another huge positive due to the harmful effects of inflammation throughout the body. Many diseases and problems throughout the body are due largely to inflammation. Drinking more water raises the body's pH, making the body more alkaline, thereby reducing inflammation.
3) Decreased headaches for those who suffer them is another great by-product of staying properly hydrated. Headaches are often due to or triggered by dehydration.
4) Athletic performance is greatly enhanced by proper hydration. Mental acuity and muscle responsiveness are directly related to hydration. How many times have you seen a professional or high level athlete carted off the field due to cramping and dehydration? Frequently.

There are numerous other positive effects of staying properly hydrated, but for now, the main point here is to encourage everyone to drink more water and stay hydrated. You'll be amazed at the wonderful changes your body will provide when properly hydrated.
DRINK MORE WATER!