Posture Reflects Performance

Do you know why after after a long day of sitting your body feels tired and stiff even though you really haven’t done all that much?

It is because sitting down for an extended period of time with poor posture inactivates certain muscles in your body and causes others to become overworked in order to hold your body upright. So as you sit at your desk for hours at a time, working at your computer, you are inactivating your Gluteal muscles (butt), core and deep neck flexors.

The aftermath of this situation 8+ hours a day, 5+ days a week, 52 weeks a year is overworked and tight muscles which can become pain generators. So next time you are wondering why is my neck tight? Or why does my low back hurt? Think about how you have been sitting for the past few hours and you may just notice a straight neck, slumped shoulders, a rounded upper back and a flat lower back.

The solution is easy and can help you stay pain-free throughout the day so you may become more productive.

1. Head back and in line with the shoulders.

2. Upper back straight and low back supported with a lumbar support.

3. Eyes level with top of monitor.

4. Hands and wrists relaxed and in a neutral position.

5. Shoulders back and relaxed and elbows resting at the side.

6. Thighs and forearms parallel to the floor.

7. Feet resting on the floor.

8. Monitor at a distance where you do not have to strain to see (18-30 inches).

9. Take regular breaks when sitting for prolonged periods of time.

*Courtesy of Ultimate ChiroCare and Dr. Perry Cammisa

For more info on how live a more ACTIVE lifestyle and at peak performance, visit our website!

Neck and Arm Pain Solutions Are Possible at Active ChiroCare!

Watch Aimee's personal story of how she was helped by coming to Active ChiroCare!

www.ActiveChiroCare.com

What Are You Thankful For?

What Are You Thankful For?
 

 
 
At Active ChiroCare, we’re thankful someone told you about us!

Help us spread the word that 

Active ChiroCare

can help your family, friends and loved ones achieve better health!

During the month of November, if you refer someoneto Active ChiroCare, the 1^st Day exam and xrays are only

  $47
 
Not only that, but you will also make someone thankful you told them!

www.ActiveChiroCare.com

BOO! One of the scariest things I see...

 ... is people waiting until they're SCARED by a crisis do something about their health.

For example: told by your Doctor you have high blood pressure or cholesterol because of the horrible way you've been eating for the last couple years, bending over to tie your shoes and your back seizes up, or waking up with a stiff neck that doesn't relax.



Don't be TRICKED, your health is not something to be messed with!


To make sure that either yourself, your friends, or someone you care about is living life to the fullest, I'm giving you this TREAT:  Good from now until Nov 3rd, a New Patient Exam and any necessary xray films is only $247  $57

www.ActiveChiroCare.com

I have a "Why" - do you?

Goals.  Everybody has them - or at least they should.  Do you have goals?  If so, how's that working out for you?  Are you creating action steps to achieve those goals?
A big goal for me in the next year is to make myself the best healthcare physician and chiropractor I can be.  That means continually pushing the envelope with what I learn so that I can deliver the best care techniques possible.


I made a commitment to take the next step in that direction today.  I'm going to attend get certified in the Prague School of Rehabilitation in the area of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization.  

 I have a bigger "why" than just being the best wellness clinic in Lincoln, or even Nebraska for that matter.  My "why" is my daugther, Chloe.  As some of you may know, Chloe was born with a rare syndrome, of which some of the symptoms are poor muscle tone and trouble breathing/swallowing.  


DNS is designed to stimulate movement control centers in the brain in order to activate the body's "stabilizing system". This allows for improved body awareness, posture and respiration, improving the quality of specific and general exercises.  The human locomotor system can lose its' optimal function through life, leading to compromised function, stabilization, postural, respiratory and movement. These compromises can lead to acute pain episodes or, worse, to lead to chronic recurrent pain syndromes. 


Becoming certified will not only help me be able to better serve the many thousands of people in Lincoln and Nebraska suffering with neuromuscular problems, but I also know I will be giving Chloe her best possible chance to live at her highest potential of health!

What's YOUR why???
www.ActiveChiroCare.com 

The Solution for Low Back Pain in Lincoln, NE

Listen to Brent's personal story about how he struggled with severe low back pain, went to another office for chiropractic care and didn't the results he needed to live life pain-free.  He eventually found out about Active ChiroCare and his life hasn't been the same since!

For more info, visit www.ActiveChiroCare.com 

BStrong4Life - Increase your strength no matter your age!

Watch Vince's personal testimony about why he decided to do the BStrong4Life program.  He's increased his full-body strength 45% in only 8 weeks!

For more info, visit www.ActiveChiroCare.com!

The truth behind the latest nutrition trends

Check out this video from the NBC Morning Show - especially about what they say about Prodantim. Recent studies shows that Protandim’s synergistic formulation provides thousands of times more antioxidant power than any food or conventional supplements.

The truth behind the latest nutrition trends

Causes of Headaches

Headaches are extremely common in our society with stress, improper nutritional habits, and poor posture as some of the main culprits.

Courtesy of www.What-Causes-Headaches.com, here is a list of some of the causes of headaches:

• Hereditary genes - Do your parents or grandparents suffer from headaches or migraines as frequently as you? Medical conditions can be passed down through generations. You can inherit a natural chemical imbalance which makes you susceptible to headaches.
• Eyestrain - When was the last time that you had your eyes tested? Straining your eyes to focus on things can be a big factor of what causes headaches. You may not even notice that you are doing it if you have become accustomed straining for a while it will feel natural.
• Anxiety - Feeling anxious can lead to frequent headaches.
• Depression - People that suffer from depression often suffer from headaches and migraines regularly.
• High blood pressure - Another factor to what causes headaches and migraine headaches, treatment you take for high blood pressure will help but if you do not realise that this is the root cause but suspect it might be should contact their doctor to have their blood pressure checked.
• Menstruation - This is a common answers to the question 'what causes headaches in women?
• Chemical reactions - Some people are ultra sensitive to certain substances such as foods and drinks which can bring on a headache or migraine.
• Pregnancy - It is common for women to experience headaches during pregnancy

I would also like to add Subluxation to the list as well!  Subluxation is the term we use to describe a misalignment in the spine.  Having subluxations in your neck has been documented as a cause for people having migraines and headaches.

Many people just like you have had success when it comes to getting rid of their migraines and headaches by getting chiropractic care and getting their spine adjusted (specifically, getting their neck adjusted).

If you or someone you care about is dealing with migraines and headaches, please do them a favor and tell them about our office and how there is a potential solution to their problem!

- Dr. Leif

Flexibility - What It Means to Your Golf Game

Here's my latest article I wrote for the Lincoln JournalStar as their featured golf fitness expert.  You can check out the column here!

Classified Info - open at your own risk!

I have Top-Secret classified info to tell you - but I can't just type it into my blog like I normally do!

If you want to know what the secret is, you'll have to unscramble this code by using a QR Reader app that you can find on your smartphone market-place app list!

If you don't have a smartphone, then borrow a friend's!  Just make sure to delete the hidden massage after you've read it!

Time is of the essence!

- Dr. Leif

An Easy Way to Conquer Hip Pain

I meet a lot of people who have hip, leg and/or low back pain.  My clients usually don't know what types of stretches can be done to get hip pain relief.  

However, it's your lucky day!  

I wanted to give my blog readers a special "insiders" secret and share a couple good stretches you can use at home to help loosen up your hip joints and hopefully give you some pain relief if you're struggling with hip and leg pain!

Both of these stretches are called the 90-90 stretch, because the knees and hips in both legs are both bent roughly at 90 degrees.

Lying 90-90 stretch

Hold the stretch on each leg for around 30 seconds and make sure to breath slowly to ensure adequate relaxation to maximize the stretch!

90-90 stretch

If you're still having hip, leg, or low back pain (or a combo of all 3!) and these exercises aren't cutting it, then give me a call at (402)323-7838 and we can set-up a free personal consultation to talk about solutions!

For more info on how chiropractic can help you beat hip pain or low back pain, visit us at www.ActiveChiroCare.com

2011 Extreme Golf Makeover Challenge - Finale

Here's the finale to the 2011 Extreme Golf Makeover Challenge with Channel 10/11 News anchor Chad Silber!

Dr. Leif Olson of Active ChiroCare and Jim White, golf pro at Firethorn West 9 golf course, offer their opinions on how much improvement Chad received from the golf fitness side of things in addition to golf swing mechanics learned from the golf pros at Firethorn West 9!




For more info on how to transform YOUR golf game, visit www.ExtremeGolfMakeover.com!

Tips to Make Sure Travel Isn't a Pain!

  When I think back to summer roadtrip vacations with my family, this picture is makes me smile and laugh.  It seemed so true - we had to take EVERYthing.  Not only can summer travel test your suitcase-packing stills, traveling can be rough on your body.

Whether you are traveling alone on business or on your way to a sunny resort with your family, long hours in a car or an airplane can leave you stressed, tired, stiff and sore.


Use these tips to make sure travel isn't a pain this summer!

Warm Up, Cool Down

Treat travel as an athletic event (and you thought the last time you were going to do anything athletic was back in high school!).

Warm up before settling into a car or plane, and cool down once you reach your destination. Take a brisk walk to stretch your hamstring and calf muscles.

In the Car

• Adjust the seat so you are as close to the steering wheel as comfortably possible. Your knees should be slightly higher than your hips. 
• Consider a back support. Using a support behind your back may reduce the risk of low-back strain, pain or injury. 
• Do not grip the steering wheel (no matter how bad the drivers around you are). Instead, tighten and loosen your grip to improve hand circulation and decrease muscle fatigue in the arms, wrists and hands.
• While always being careful to keep your eyes on the road, vary your focal point while driving to reduce the risk of eye fatigue and tension headaches.
• Take rest breaks. Never underestimate the potential consequences of fatigue to yourself, your passengers and other drivers.  We don't want Highway Hypnosis!

In an Airplane

• Check all bags heavier than 5-10% of your body weight. Over head lifting of any significant amount of weight should be avoided to reduce the risk of pain in the lower back or neck. While lifting your bags, stand right in front of the overhead compartment so the spine is not rotated. 
• When stowing belongings under the seat, do not force the object with an awkward motion using your legs, feet or arms. 
•  While seated, vary your position occasionally to improve circulation and avoid leg cramps.  If you're 6'5" tall like me, then good luck - you'll feel cramped no matter what you do!
• Do not sit directly under the air controls. The draft can increase tension in your neck and shoulder muscles.

Safe Travel For Children

 

• Always use a car seat in a car when traveling with children below the age of 4 and weighing less than 40 pounds.
•  Car seats for infants should always face the rear. In this position, the forces and impact of a crash will be spread more evenly along the back and shoulders, providing more protection for the neck.
• Car seats should always be placed in the back seat of the car-ideally in the center. This is especially important in cars equipped with airbags. 
• Make sure the car seat is properly secured to the seat of the vehicle and is placed at a 45-degree angle to support the head of the infant or child.

Let's Sum It Up
1) Be aware of proper neck and back posture, 2) move arms and legs to keep the blood flowing, and 3) take rest breaks when possible.

.  

August Special Offer

Good until August 30, 2011.   Refer in a friend, family member or loved one as a New Patient, and get a FREE 30 minute massage!

Secrets to Reducing Your Stress

Stress happens to almost each one of us many times a week.   Whether it's running late to work/church/picking up your kids/doctor's appointment, having co-workers that test the upper limits of your patience, needing to have that report rightthisverysecond, tight finances for the month, or your car just broke down and needs repair, etc.  Stress.  It happens. Aches and pains, palpitations and dizziness, loss of appetite or compulsive eating, digestive problems, grinding your teeth, insomnia, breathing difficulties, stammering or speaking too fast, feeling tired, and frequent infections can all occur because of high stress levels. So how can we relax when these situations happen?  The first way to lower your stress levels is to acknowledge you have the choice whether to be stressed or not.  People think all the time that "fill in the blank" is stressing them out.  Not entirely true!  An outside circumstance happens, and then it's what we decide to do with that situation and how we process what's happened to us that determines if we're stressed our not. Next, close your eyes and try to relax all the muscles in your shoulders, back, and neck.  Clear your mind, and breathe in through your nose slowly for 5 seconds, and then exhale through your mouth for 5 seconds.  Repeat this for a total of 10 times.  (Caution:  If you're running late and you're in your car driving, please don't close your eyes!!) Lowering your heart rate and blood pressure by slowly breathing will allow you to calm down and think more clearly about your present situation. Changing lifesytle habits have also shown to lower stress levels. Try implementing these healthy routines into your routine for reduced stress:  Chiropractic care reduces stress by allowing the body to achieve a balance. In addition, chiropractic helps keep patients free of the impairments to regular exercise, which is key to reducing stress and preventing stress-related anxiety and depression.  Massage therapy Biking, running, walking, or yoga 2-3x a week for at least 30 minutes each time Sleeping at least 7 hours a night Eating healthier and not eating or drinking alcohol past 9PM at night
	"Just Relax" Special Offer Good until July 31, 2011.   Print off this E-Zine and redeem it for $10 off a 60 minute massage or for a complimentary chiropractic consultation.

How to Beat Low Back Pain - Dr. Leif on 10/11 News!

Here's the Week 8 update on the Extreme Golf Makeover from Channel 10/11 News! Dr. Leif explains to Chad Silber ways to strengthen your lower back and prevent low back pain!


www.ActiveChiroCare.com

The Cure to Beating Numb or Tingling Hands

Have you ever known someone that complained of pain, numbness, or tingling in the hands or fingers?  
What do you think causes this to happen?

I see people all the time who tell me, "I have a numb and tingling sensation in my hands, it must be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome."  My response to them is, "Maybe."

Let me explain.  The nerves that give sensation to your hands come from your spinal cord and branch out in your neck.  When a person has a sensation or pain problem in their hands, the problem area can therefore be in their hand OR their neck!

To determine where the problem originates, simple tests are performed like taking neck x-rays.  The reason we take x-rays of the neck is because there should be a normal position for the curvature of the neck, and if your neck is shaped differently from normal, then that could be the reason the nerves in your neck are causing the symptoms in your hand.

If we determine that the curvature of your neck is within normal limits, then most likely the problem is with the nerves specifically in your hand or wrist.  For Carpal Tunnel treatment, specific stretching to both the muscles and nerves in your wrist and hand and performed.  Most people see a difference in the severity of their symptoms after a couple weeks!

If you or someone you know has a problem with their grip strength, has pain in their wrist or hand, or has numbness or tingling, I am offering a FREE personal consultation talk to determine if I can offer you a solution.

All you have to do to take advantage of this offer is call Active ChiroCare by 6PM on Wednesday July 27th to take advantage!

Week 6 update of the Extreme Golf Makeover - Posture

Watch the Week 6 update of the 2011 Extreme Golf Makeover Challenge!  In this episode, I explain to Chad Silber, Channel 10/11 News anchor, how important posture is in the game of golf, as well as how important good posture is in preventing back and neck pain!



For more info on the Golf Makeover, visit www.ExtremeGolfMakeover.com

Take the path of MOST resistance!

  

Many times in life, to make positive change, it is REALLY hard to get going!  I can tell it in my own life whether it's wanting to get to my goal weight, work-out more often, improve my relationship with my wife, whatEVER -- it takes WORK!

In Darren Hardy's blogpost today (publisher of SUCCESS Magazine, and a speaker and author I constantly read from), he talked about taking the path of MOST resistance, because that's when true change, success, and headway happens!  You can find the link to the blog here.


At Active ChiroCare, we understand that people want to feel and be healthier, but it's SO tough to get going initially!  That's why I'm going to make it a little "easier" for you to refer in your friends, family, or loved ones if they have headaches, back pain, or need to increase their strength and energy through our BStrong4Life program.

So, for the next week, if you know of someone who wants to change their health and start their LIVING, they can have their initial visit at Active ChiroCare for only $47 (regularly $250).


All they have to do to take advantage is mention they saw this blogpost!

- Dr. Leif

Give your feet some love! Get orthotics!

Foot pain?  Get orthotics! This last weekend I was in Las Vegas attending a chiropractic seminar.  I forgot how much distance a person walks when they're in Las Vegas, because it seemed like I couldn't get ANY place too quickly, it always seemed like a 10-15 minute walk. I wasn't thinking when I packed my bag for Vegas, because I didn't take any shoes that had good arch support for my feet, AND I didn't take along the orthotics I put in my shoes (not smart, Leif!).  Not only did I have achey feet, but my lower back was pretty sore afterwards, too! I even remember when I started to get sore.  It was when a friend and I decided to walk from the Venetian (the building with the white lights along the top at the top right of the picture), and walk all the way to the Excalibur (the blue roof building on the bottom left).  What I didn't take into account, though, was how far those two hotels are away from each other!  (For those of you who are curious it's a little over 2 miles each way.)   And if you are like me and walk a lot in flip-flops, then be ready to be sore!   The reason I wear orthotics is because I have flatter feet than I should.  There are 3 main categories of foot arch:  Normal, High Arch, and Flat Arch.        The 5 Main Problems associated with loss of arch support are: - Heel Pain - Bunions - Hammer Toes - Tendonitis - Ankle, Knee, Hip or Low Back Pain Here at Active ChiroCare, we give people customized foot orthotics called Sole Supports, and they're fantastic. Special Offer:  For the month of June, we'll be running a special ofonly $197 for a pair or customized orthotics, including the office visit (a $250 value).   All you have to do to take advantage of this offer is call the office and yell into the phone, "I want happy feet!"
	June Special: Customized orthotic foot fitting - only $197.	Googled: Please help us serve more people by making us more "searchable" online.  Please fill out a review of us on our Google page!  Thanks!

Extreme Golf Makeover TV interview on Channel 10/11 News!

It was a blast being interviewed today on TV Channel 10/11 about being one of the trainers for the Extreme Golf Makeover!

You can find the video link to the interview here.

Not only will I be back to be interviewed again next Thursday, but I'm also going to be interviewed for next Wednesday's 4PM afternoon show about it as well!

This is going to be AWESOME!

For more info on what Active ChiroCare offers besides the Extreme Golf Makeover, you can visit our website.

Extreme Golf Makeover starts in Lincoln with Chad Silber of Channel 10/11!

                                               Chad Silber is going to be the featured 2011 Extreme Golf Makeover! Dr. Leif is joining up with the golf pros at Firethorn West 9 to help Chad with his golf game over the course of the next 10 weeks by using the BStrong4Life equipment to help increase core strength, balance and flexibility! 

We'll be on 10/11 this coming Thursday bright and early at 6:20am talking about it with Chad!

Chad Silber co-anchors First News Nebraska Monday-Friday 5-7am.