You may be able to use your HSA for various services and products such as:

• Chiropractic and Massage Therapy
• Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers (orthotics)
• Cervical Support Pillows
• Nutritional Products
• Wraps and Supports
• Home Rehabilitation Equipment
• Home Spinal Traction Devices

Typically HSAs can be used for any healthcare products or services for a calendar year. The patient determines how much money goes into his or her account at the beginning of the year, and that amount must be spent or it will be lost.

According to the U.S. Department if Treasury, less than 500,000 Americans were enrolled in an HSA plan in 2004. Now more than 3.2 million Americans use them. Some experts predict this number to grow to 14 million by the year 2010.

Our flight out of Philadelphia was delayed by an hour as there was a security “issue” on the runway. While our plane was waiting for around 30 minutes, I glanced out the window and saw a police officer unload a police dog and jog toward the terminal. Soon after, two police officers entered our plane and slowly walked down the aisle as they scanned each face and compared it to a picture they carried. They left the plane without incident.

I wasn’t happy for the delay, but was thankful for the top-notch security in place. Our flight was given the okay and we took off. From that point onward, the flight was uneventful and we landed safely at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport.

It was strange traveling alone, without Laura and our four children. But the next day I was soon surrounded by so many skilled doctors and kept so busy, that the time passed rather quickly.

The focus of our training was on whole-body adjusting - a holistic approach to patient care. Some of the time was spent reviewing anatomy, biomechanics, and neurology. But most of the time was spent practicing the whole-body adjusting techniques.

We reviewed the protocols for:

• the foot and ankle
• the knee
• the hip
• the jaw
• the hand and wrist
• the elbow
• the shoulder
• the ribs

As you may know, I’ve been doing whole-body adjusting for several years now. Even so, I was able to “fine tune” my techniques and really become more confident in the whole-body holistic approach to patient care. As many of you have experienced at Spectrum Wellness, we take an integrative approach to care. You may have experienced massage therapy, nutritional counseling, exercise rehab, and other natural therapies in your care plan.

Because of my additional training we are now better able to handle many different body conditions not typically handled in a natural way. We can help various conditions including:

• neck pain and headaches
• shoulder and rotator cuff injuries
• chronic back pain and instability
• chronic knee pain
• plantar fasciitis
• TMJ dysfunction and pain
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• tennis elbow
• leg length inequality and pelvic dysfunction
• postural abnormalities

If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call any time. I set aside time each week for phone interviews, and would be happy to speak with you to discuss your condition and go over some of your options.

I had some free time on Sunday and had lunch in the hotel lounge, and was able to sample a variety of “Tex Mex” food. I was greeted by many friendly people, including several Dallas Cowboy fans wearing ten-gallon hats.

I was very thankful that the return flight went perfectly.  I was even blessed when our plane flew by Citizens Park at around 9:55 PM, and I got a bird’s-eye glimpse of game 3 of the World Series.  The Phillies ended up beating the Rays 5-4 that night.

I arrived home tired, both mentally and physically.  Overall, I had an enjoyable and very productive time. I can’t wait to see you in our center soon!

Physical activity boosts the metabolism and keeps excess weight off. Regular exercise enhances the immune system, improves mood, helps prevent depression, and promotes cardiovascular health. Exercise has been shown to delay or prevent osteoporosis, and even certain types of cancer. Exercise done regularly also helps balance and control blood lipids, diabetes, and obesity.

On the other hand, a lifestyle of inactivity can be very dangerous. When you combine years of poor eating and inactivity, not only do you miss out on the benefits mentioned above, but you compromise and weaken your cardiovascular system.

If you want to receive benefits to your cardiovascular system and lungs, you must perform any moderate (or more strenuous) activity for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Here are some suggestions of activities and exercises that you can enjoy safely:

• brisk walking
• hiking
• stair-climbing
• gardening
• yard work
• swimming
• dancing
• tennis or racquetball
• golf

A simple tip to remember is that the 30-minutes of activity can be broken up into smaller chunks of time at different times of the day. What’s important is to get into a routine and to develop an active lifestyle. Remember, movement is one of the keys to life!

Can natural therapies such as chiropractic or massage help make headaches go away? While we can’t guarantee results, our practice can state that we have a high success rate with patients who get headaches and follow through with our recommendations.

Headaches range from mild annoying to extremely debilitating. Although fairly common, headaches should not be accepted as “normal”. There are also many varieties and causes of headaches. Regardless of the cause, when you get a headache, you want it gone as fast as possible!

Peoples’ desire for a quick fix for headaches has resulted in a huge market for medications that do little more than cover up the symptoms. These powerful drugs act to numb your nervous system and interfere with the signals of pain. Although convenient, this approach can have adverse effects on your kidneys, liver and digestive tract. Even so, they don’t get to the actual cause of your headache.

A tension headache is one of the more common varieties and is caused by excessive muscular tension in the head and neck area. Tension headaches are typically associated with dysfunction of the spinal bones in the neck. When these bones are misaligned and not moving correctly, your nervous system is adversely affected. This can in turn, adversely affect the muscles and blood supply to your head.

At Spectrum Wellness, we pride ourselves with performing thorough examinations and providing holistic and integrative care. We will do our best to find the root cause of the headache. As a chiropractor, I am highly skilled in locating areas of the spine and skeleton, where the bones aren’t moving properly. I will evaluate spinal curves and look at your posture. I will assess your supporting muscle tone. We will discuss sleep habits and daily activities that may be causing undue stress. I will be able to soundly determine if you are likely to benefit from the natural therapies we offer.

If you’re a good candidate, we will discuss an attack plan to eliminate your headaches. Your care plan may involve the following:

• adjustments of the spinal bones (vertebrae)
• adjustments of other skeletal joints (extremities)
• therapeutic massage
• dietary modification
• changing to a special “cervical pillow”
• learning new daily life habits and postures
• implementing targeted exercises in office and at home

Even though our treatment plan is multifaceted, our focus is to help normalize spine and body function, help restore proper posture, improve circulation, reduce nerve irritation, and provide muscular relaxation. Many of our patients report fewer and less severe headaches fairly quickly. And without the use of dangerous drugs or invasive procedures.

If you’re not sure if we can help your specific condition, feel free to give us a call. I would be happy to spend some time with you discussing any health concerns you may have. I am available throughout the week and provide complimentary phone interviews.

Give us a call, and discover the healing powers of natural therapy!

• 1 T olive oil
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 med zucchini, diced
• 1 celery rib, diced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 1 T chili powder (or to taste)
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1 T granulated date sugar, agave nectar, or honey
• 1/2 tsp basil
• 2 (15 oz) cans beans (kidney, pinto, or black), low-sodium
• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, low-sodium diced

Heat oil, add garlic, onion, zucchini, celery, carrot and peppers. Saute for approximately 5 minutes.  Add spices. Cover and cook over low heat until fragrant (approx 2 minutes). Stir in beans and tomatoes. Simmer 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer another 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf.

This makes a delicious chili that has become a family favorite.  Everyone we’ve “tested” it on, has really enjoyed it… including staunch meat-eaters!  Laura frequently serves it with a salad and her famous corn muffins.  It is also quite good as a topping for baked potatoes.  If you have a large family like ours or want to maximize efficiency, triple the recipe to fill a large crock pot.

Experiment with different varieties of beans and spices.  I personally love it hot and spicy with chipotle (smoked peppers), but it can be a bit too hot for the kids.  Be creative and enjoy!

Whiplash has numerous possible causes including motor vehicle accidents, roller coaster rides, sports injuries, and slips and falls. Car accidents are the most common cause, as there are many thousands of motor vehicle accidents in the United States every year - resulting in injuries and death.

Injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents range from mild to severe. The most common type of spinal injury is whiplash. This occurs when the head and cervical spine (the neck) is accelerated and then suddenly decelerated. Most whiplash injuries occur when you are sitting relaxed in your stationary car and you are unexpectedly rear-ended.

The time immediately after the accident is of critical importance. If severely injured, hopefully EMTs will arrive on the scene quickly and you will get the care you need. We have some of the best medical professionals in the world. What you do about your injuries in the next hours, days and weeks can forever affect your health.

If you’re involved in an accident, try not to be misled if the damage to your vehicle is minimal. Your body reacts very differently than metal, glass and plastic! Upon a rear-end impact, your body presses deeply into your seat. Your head moves with your body backwards until they reach the limits of your seat. Then, your body quickly changes directions and moves forward to the limit of your seat belt. Next, your head starts moving backward in the opposite direction. Because your head is unrestrained by your seat belt, your head is jerked backward and forward beyond its normal limits.

You can reduce the severity of a whiplash injury by wearing your seat belt properly, and making sure your headrest is adjusted to prevent your head from snapping over the seat.

Try not to minimize your injuries. Just as a car can have internal damage beyond the scraped pain on your bumper, your body can have deep injuries to your delicate spinal structures. Pain and stiffness of motion of varying severity will result from whiplash injuries. Often headaches appear, but can begin a week or more after the accident. These injuries can’t be healed by pain pills, muscle relaxers, or cervical collars. At this point, an immediate chiropractic examination is essential.

In my interview with a patient, I will conduct a thorough case history and detailed examination. I will review any imaging films or reports done at the emergency room or from other physicians. If I determine that it is safe to receive care at our office, I will make recommendations for your optimal recovery. In many cases, treatment can begin immediately.

In our office we have found that the integration of chiropractic care and massage therapy to be extremely effective in proper healing. Chiropractic adjustments of the spine and extremities helps restore proper position and motion of joints. Massage therapy targets the injured muscles and helps reduce pain, tension, and spasm, and promotes relaxation. You may also benefit from adjunctive therapies we can perform such as laser therapy, electrical stimulation, mechanical traction, therapeutic taping, or therapeutic stretching. We may prescribe a TENS unit (a small portable electrical stimulation device) or a series of home-based therapeutic exercises.

Since starting my practice in 1992, I’ve had the honor of helping hundreds of clients with a variety of neck injuries including whiplash. I’m very pleased with our integrated approach to patient care at Spectrum Wellness. Our care is top-notch and personal. Our goal is to help you to achieve superior health… and we will do everything in our power to help you get well and stay well after the trauma of a whiplash injury.

• 2 T vegetable oil (olive, sesame, sunflower, etc.)
• 2 large onions (finely chopped)
• 4 large cloves of garlic (minced)
• 4 large carrots (grated)
• 1 C broccoli (chopped)
• 3 (15 oz) cans of crushed tomatoes with liquid (low salt variety)
• 8 cups of water
• 2 T VegeBase
• 1/2 C sunflower seeds
• 1/2 C peanuts
• 2/3 C uncooked brown rice
• 1/3 C uncooked pearled barley
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp chile powder, optional
• 1/4 tsp chipotle powder, optional

Process sunflower seeds and peanuts in food processor until you have a crunchy butter. Set aside. Heat oil in a large pan, add onions, and cook until lightly browned and tender. Stir in garlic when nearly done to avoid burning. Set aside. Boil water and stir in VegeBase. Add seed/nut butter, onions/garlic, and all remaining ingredients to pot and simmer on a low heat for at least 1 hour.

This is the longest and most complicated recipe I’ve posted to date, but it is worth it! This nutty vegetable stew is absolutely delicious, and very satisfying on a cool autumn night. I guarantee everyone will love it!

I would recommend going lightly on the chile and chipotle if you are going to serve to children. For variety, try substituting spinach for the broccoli, or using walnuts and flax seed instead of the peanuts and sunflower seeds. Let me know what you come up with. Be creative and enjoy!

The Mechanists
The established health care model in the Western world sees the body as a machine. This is called mechanism. The body is seen as a bunch of parts that wear out or need attention. It has spawned an army of specialists who see you as merely the sum of your parts. Examples of these disciplines include:

* Internists
* Urologists
* Cardiologists
* Orthopedists

Intervention usually involves drugs to change the function of the body by artificially changing blood chemistry.

The Vitalists
The emerging model is more holistic and recognizes the interactivity of the mind, body and spirit. This is called vitalism. Because you are self-healing, vitalists see you as greater than the sum of your parts. Examples include:

* Chiropractors
* Acupuncturists
* Homeopaths
* Naturopaths

Care is designed to help restore body balance and integrity. Aches or pains are merely signs of some other underlying problem.

Our Approach
In our office, we observe the mechanics of the body, but see the whole-body effects of a compromised nervous system. We believe that when you take proper care of yourself, you can achieve superior health. Then you will feel great and be your best. I specialize in treating the whole person by using whole-body adjusting techniques, supportive methods (such as orthotic arch supports or nutritional counseling), and therapeutic exercises. Through the integration of chiropractic, massage, and exercise, our team of wellness practitioners can truly help you stay active and enjoy life!

Discover how our patient-centered approach to health care can help you naturally, without drugs or surgery. If you’re not yet a client of ours, we would welcome the chance to speak with you about your health.

If you are already a practice member, congratulations on getting involved in a vitalistic approach to health!

We are now offering 4 exciting massage “upgrades” that can be added on to your next massage. You are now able to “customize” your massage and make it even more enjoyable with the following options:

• Hot Stone Massage - our therapist will use special heated stones to make your massage even better. The stones are placed and rested in certain areas and are also used as effective massage tools.
• Paraffin Wax Treatments - therapeutic application of hot paraffin wax is a soothing treat for the hands or feet.
• Facial Massage - a relaxing and refreshing facial massage using special facial cream for healthy and vibrant skin.
• Peppermint Foot Massage - enjoy a fresh and relaxing foot massage that works on all the acupressure points on the feet.

Our team is also very excited to be offering infant massage classes for parents. Hands-on classes are scheduled for 30 minutes are are designed to teach parents the basic principles of infant massage.

• Infant Massage Classes - classes teaching a preventative natural therapy that can improve the quality of life for both you and your baby. Infant massage is an excellent way to promote well-being and is the perfect alternative to medicine and drugs by aiding your baby’s immune system.

If interested in one of our new services, simply ask during your next visit or when you call to schedule. If you need more information, please feel free to call and ask for me or ask to speak to one of our massage team members. We’re always available to help!

For more information on massage therapy, hot stone massage, or infant massage click here

• 2 C whole rolled oats
• 1 C almonds, raw
• 1/4 C flax seed
• 1 1/2 C nut butter (my favorite is walnut)
• 1 1/2 C dried dates (my favorite is the Medjool variety)
• 1/2 C carob powder or cocoa powder
• 1/4 C honey, raw
• 1/4 C blackstrap molasses

Process oats, nuts, seeds, and dates in a food processor until chopped fine. Then place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Press into a glass baking dish, cover, and place in refrigerator. Allow time to chill and then cut into squares.

This recipe makes a delicious and nutritious snack that both kids and adults will love. We bring them along on picnics, when camping, or while hiking. They are very tasty… but be careful, they pack a lot of calories. These power bars are a good natural alternative to the “health” bars typically sold - that are usually loaded with chemicals such as artificial sweeteners.

Experiment with different kinds and combinations of nuts and dried fruit. Let me know what you come up with. Be creative and enjoy!