Stress and the Holidays

It's the holiday season, and are we having fun yet?  I hope everyone answered yes.  Now if I asked are you feeling the stress of the holidays, especially with how quickly it seems to have caught up with us?  Would you again answer yes?  I can tell you with my own personal poll, the majority of people answer with an emphatic YES!  Who makes the holidays stressful?  How does it affect our body?  How can I get rid of it?  All great questions. 

In this Blog, I am going to answer the first question, "Who makes the holidays stressful?"  The answer is as simple as looking into the mirror.  We do of course.  Now many of you may argue that the stress if from external sources, that are plotting for your demise.  I assure you, though you have only limited control over external stressors, the person that controls how they affect your life is ultimately you.

Realize that stress comes in many forms.  There are physical, chemical, emotional and even spiritual stressors.  We play the lead role in how they affect us, and it starts with your thinking, your perception.

I once heard that  FEAR stands for False Evidence Appearing Real, and that 95% of the time the things that we fear, never happen.  Of the 5% that does, it is rarely as bad as we expect.  Our imaginations are amazing when it comes to making mountains out of molehills.  Why do we always visualize the worst possible scenario?

So, how can I apply this to my life, and the upcoming holidays?  Simply this, check yourself first.  See how you respond to different people and situations.  Are there family issues at play, are there too many 'cheats' to your diet, and is alcohol poisoning your judgment?  Ask yourself the question, "Is the way that I am acting/feeling right now creating an undesired level of stress or anxiety?"  If so, then change your mind and change your response.  Make the choice to focus on the good and love if possible, before condemning.  Again, how does a negative emotion affect you?


When we look at the body, stress on the nervous system adversely affects how information is transmitted and processed.  A somatovisceral response is one that creates problems with our organ systems, when the body has been damaged or stressed.  As a chiropractor, we detect areas of stress in the spine, reduce and eliminate them, so the body can heal itself and function at it's optimal level.

With regards to the holidays, what is the purpose of Thanksgiving?  Isn't it to give thanks for all of your blessings, challenges and opportunities throughout the year, much like the Pilgrims did 389 years ago.  Really try entering into this season with the feeling of love and thanks.  Robin Sharma authored a great book, Who Will Cry When You Die.  The underlying theme is to live your life to the fullest, not getting stuck on things that are out of your control, and live today the best you can.  You can only do so much, beyond that, WHO CARES!  If you don't, then does it really matter?  Give yourself a break, say something positive to yourself, and move on.  After all, we are not guaranteed another day, let alone another Thanksgiving Day. 

In closing remember the old saying, "The past is yesterday, and it cannot be changed.  The future is tomorrow, and we are not guaranteed that there will be one.  Today is the present, and it is a gift from God!"

Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.

-Dr. Clare

Thanksgiving Food Drive - Thank You!

Today was a great day at ProHealth & Wellness.  I would like to personally thank each and every patient that was involved in our food drive.  With so many of our patients participating, we collected a ton (not literally) of food.  Remember, that you can continue to participate through the 19th of November, with each can of food that you donate, you receive an entry for a free massage 1 hour massage.

ProHealth & Wellness began with the idea of making a profound impact to health and lives of our community, in a positive, loving, caring way.  I am honored, and truly enjoy the opportunity of making a difference in the lives of my patients.  Though the word "Chiropractic" means done by hand, I believe that it must be done with the heart first.

Again, thank you for making a difference, and being our patients.

-Dr. Clare

What is Laser Therapy?

At ProHealth & Wellness, we continue to search for medical advances that assist in the treatment of our patients.  Most people are aware of the use of lasers in the military and for surgery, but not everyone has heard of non-invasive Cold Laser Therapy.  Laser Therapy was initially used by doctors in Europe in the early 1970's.  With over 30 years of research, and 20,000 research articles, it finally received FDA approval in 2002, with the stronger Class IV Laser in 2005.

After exhaustive research and testing, I introduced Class IV Laser Therapy to our office in order to assist patients return to health by stimulating tissue repair and growth.  That is one of the major benefits to Laser Therapy, improved healing.  Of course there are other benefits, such as decreased pain, decreased swelling, decreased scar tissue formation, improved healing time, and increased circulation.  Another benefit is that a treatment with the laser has little or no sensation.  Occasionally patients will note a soothing warmth, but add that they like the way it feels.  It can even feel relaxing!

As a chiropractor, and a chiropractic sports physician, utilizing the laser in conjunction with adjustments has greatly increased my patient healing times, helping alleviate pain quickly so I can focus on correcting spinal problems as efficiently as possible.  Laser Therapy isn't only used on the spine.  Extremity related issues such as shoulder injuries, knee pain/swelling, plantar fascitis, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome have all responded well to the combined treatment of adjustment and Laser Therapy.

How does it work?  The process is known as photobiostimulation.  Basically, with specific infrared wavelengths of light (not visible), photons penetrate deep into the treated tissues to activate mitochondria.  Mitochondria are organelles found within the cells of the body, that act as power-plants.  Injured tissues have significantly lower energy production, and is one of the reasons it takes so long to heal.  By stimulating the mitochondria, we increase the available energy production of the cell, thereby increasing all activity of the cell, including healing.  Of course increasing the metabolic activity of the cell helps to increase the movement of nutrients into the cell.  With more food, comes greater energy, and thus the tissue heals...faster!

So many people including doctors are unaware of this therapy.  I have been very pleased with Laser Therapy, and the benefits my patients have received with its usage.  I am extremely excited about the impact this treatment will have on our community, helping people heal faster and enjoy life to the fullest.

-Dr. Clare