Category Archives: Lifestyle Advice

Lifestyle Advice

Dr. Seaman advises patients on how to correct activities of daily living so that chronic irritations are lessened. She teaches how to improve work and computer positioning (ergonomics) to create a more comfortable work environment. By providing instruction on proper form for sports, working out, gardening, and other recreational activities, Dr. Seaman can also improve your chances of preventing an injury of reinjuring an old trauma.

Did you know bad posture can lead to spinal problems? River Grove Chiropractor 60171

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River Grove Chiropractor Dr. Cynthia Seaman says good posture is crucial to proper spine health.  Stand and sit straight with your chest up, abs in and head over your shoulders.   This correct posture is a habit that you develop.

Proper posture often gets neglected or forgotten.   When we slouch, lean on arm rests, leaning forward at our desk or computer and even driving leaning more to one side than the other are all instances where we practice improper posture.    The position in which we eat, sleep, stand, sit, work and move influences our posture.  Bad habits can slowly compress your spine and place enormous amounts of stress on surrounding muscular and connective tissues.

Bad posture can be noticed in many ways. Some of the more common signs of incorrect postural alignment include the following:

  • Protruding abdomen
  • Hyperextended knees
  • Rounded or uneven shoulders
  • Curved spine
  • Sunken chest
  • Unusually flat back
  • Swayed back
  • Uneven hips
  • Neck craned too far forward
  • Chin thrust out

When your spine is misaligned, muscles are forced to offset your improper posture. This usually results in tightness and muscular strains. In fact, shortened muscles are frequently seen in instances of poor alignment.  A lack of flexibility can cause muscular imbalances, creating greater postural difficulties. Tight, inflexible hamstrings frequently contribute to lower back pain and poor postural alignment. Flexibility and resistance training work can help correct such muscle weaknesses or imbalances, therefore helping to improve posture.

Call Seaman Chiropractic if your posture may be causing you pain at 773-545-2233 or click on chicagochiropractoril.com to request an appointment today.

 

Human Body Parts – You Are A Community

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When you look in the mirror, you see yourself made out of human body parts. Since you’re all in one piece, and have one mind, you tend to think that you’re an individual.

While that’s true, there’s more to it.

You represent a complex community of about fifty trillion cells and every single one of those cells is an intelligententity. What’s more, every one of them is tuned into a broadcast that comes from your central nervous system.

Because the cells in your body are intelligent, they are able to experience the same emotions you feel. They’re sad, if you’re sad, they’re happy if you’re happy, and they’re excited if you’re excited.

Now, if everything is fine and you take the time to take care of yourself, that complex community functions like a well oiled and well maintained machine.

Unfortunately, in our society, instead of helping the body…

…we harm ourselves.

We constantly put our bodies under tremendous amounts of pressure through stress, worry, improper diet, negative thinking and negative attitude, which throws your body’s delicate balance completely off.

That balance is crucial…

…and it’s possible to regain. All you have to do is slow down and help your body heal itself.

Unfortunately, the fact that we’re so results oriented and driven causes us to expect instant gratification which keeps us on the run, completely disregarding our health.

Take food for example.

What do you do when you want something quick to eat? You get some fast food and eat it.

Even when you eat homemade meals, the situation isn’t much better. The produce you get at your local supermarket is full of preservatives and taste enhancers, which will increase its shelf life and make it taste better, but…

…they’ll hinder your body’s healing process.

Then, you have stress.

Again, we’re used to instant gratification, so we literally run around all day to get things done. This puts us under a ton of stress, and causes your ecosystem to be shaken.

This stress will shut down your immune system almost completely, and your body will be unable to stay healthy.

You need to take care of the entire person, both physical and spiritual…

…and for that you must slow down, and take time to help your body.

It’s also very helpful when you project gratitude and fulfillment everywhere you go, because whatever you feel, your cells feel.

Now, I understand that it might be hard to feel grateful, when you’re in a rat race all the time, but I am here to tell you that you can change anything about your life, if you want to.

You can do whatever you want in life and achieve great things. You just need to believe it’s possible and start changing your life.

You’re more than just a bunch of overworked human body parts. You have the power to be as healthy and successful as you like, all you need is to make the physical and spiritual you a priority.

Take time for yourself. You’ll feel better and accomplish more. That’s a promise.

Chiropractic for allergies? North Park 60659 Chiropractor

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Let’s talk about allergies.  Fall is almost here which means it can be the most symptomatic time of the year for people with allergies.  Because with the weather changing, plants release pollen into the air and molds begin to grow under the fallen leaves.

A comprised immune system will result in increased allergic reaction to the environment like cats, dust, and pollen.   The most common fall symptoms are dry and itchy skin, asthma and wheezing, eyes become itchy and watery, with sneezing and possibly a runny nose.  A high functioning immune system can tell the difference between normal surroundings and true foreign dangers.

Many people don’t know that a simple visit to your North Park chiropractor Dr. Cynthia Seaman can improve your fall allergy symptoms or even take them away fully.  The mistaken belief that chiropractic is only for your neck and back is just a myth.  The reason behind this is that chiropractors help keep the body functioning at its best.  Now what does “functioning at its best mean”?

What Chiropractors can do is build your immune system naturally in many different ways.  Your immune system controls a lot of different aspects of your body preventing disease and infection.

The main goal of a chiropractor is to remove interference so your body can normalize and fix itself.  The glands which affect your immune system are in your neck controlled by your nervous system.  So a neck spinal adjustment relieves nervous interference so the glands can function at their best.

Prescription allergy medicine can cause anxiety, dry mouth, sleepiness, depressed immune system, increase in appetite, and many other side effects.  Natural supplements can be prescribed by your chiropractor for temporary allergy relief without side effects and can even permanently increase your body’s immune system which will result in a decrease in any of your allergies.

If you would like more allergy advice you should visit Dr. Seaman to begin on the path of a allergy free life, call today 773-545-2233 or click on chicagochiropractoril.com/chirocontact.html for an appointment.

How to keep your digestive tract on the right tract…Lincolnwood Chiropractor 60712

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Your digestive tract is pretty much how your body breaks down food and absorbs it.  Digestion is important to your body because it breaks what you consumed into their smallest part so that your body uses them to ultimately provide you with energy.  The better your digestive tract functions the better your body will work.

So here are a few things that Lincolnwood Chiropractor 60712 Dr.Seaman suggests you can do in your everyday routine that can make a big difference to your digestive tract…

  1. First of all what you consume plays a big part in your digestive system.  So eat healthy, which means a balanced diet including your fiber intake.  Which would be fresh fruits, veggies and whole grains which will help keep food moving thru the digestive tract. But most importantly drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.
  2. Keep on moving.  Make sure to get your regular exercise in, at least 30 minutes a day and a few days a week (at minimum).   Exercise not only keeps your body in motion but also helps keep your stress levels down and your bowels moving.
  3. Making better lifestyle choices will help you overall be healthier.  That includes minimizing your alcohol intake and avoiding tobacco.
  4. Supplementing with probiotics to keep healthy bacteria in your digestive tract.

The best thing to do if you need more nutritional advice or are concerned your health see Dr. Cynthia Seaman. To schedule an appointment or to set up a free consultation, give our office a call at 773-545-2233 or click on http://chicagochiropractoril.com/chirocontact.html

Eat breakfast like a king Avondale Chiropractor 60618

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According to Adele Davis it is proven that people that begin their day with breakfast eat healthier which results in having a more fit body especially in woman.  People that usually skip breakfast will be more likely to make a bad choice from being desperately hungry when lunch time rolls around.

What to eat?

Whole grains- They act not only as a filler to keep you full but also help you reduce the risk of heart disease, the fiber helps maintain a good digestive health, whole grains also help sustain a healthier body weight over time.

Eggs- Are the most commonly eaten breakfast item but most people don’t know these advantages of including them in their daily food intake.  They are high in antioxidants, they help you feel more satisfied rather than eating something sugary for breakfast, eggs also contain amino acids which make it easy for your body to absorb.

Dodge sugary foods- That means not stopping at your local donut shop and getting donuts for the office, eating high sugary cereals that you ate since you were a child, or enjoying your favorite filled French pastry.

The reality is that our breakfast choices or our not so breakfast choices begin to make you have cravings and that’s when your blood sugar spikes and it will turn weight control into a disaster. So the best way to start off your day will be to eat breakfast and maintain a stable blood sugar level.

If you would like more nutritional advice you should visit your avondale chiropractor Dr. Seaman in order for you to begin on the path of a healthier you, give our office a call at 773-545-2233 or click on chicagochiropractoril.com/chirocontact.html for an appointment.

Summer Challenge 2012 & Beyond: Healthiest Summer Ever!

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Summer can be one a golden opportunity to relax and rejuvenate. At Seaman Chiropractic, we are dedicating our summer to helping you be the healthiest possible while also enjoying the wonderful weather! Despite the fact that Kim Kardashian and new boyfriend Kanye West traveled to the Rivera Maya to enjoy zip lining in Mexico’s jungle they also found it important to follow a few simple rules for eating healthy.

The following are six simple steps that they even found important to follow while they dined on traditional Mexican cuisine made solely from local grown fresh ingredients, which you also can easily incorporate into your daily summer activities.

1. Eat the Rainbow- Make it a rule to have colorful fresh fruit or vegetable with every meal. Add a green salad, red pepper, or orange slices to what you’re already eating. Raw fresh fruits and veggies are packed with enzymes that help your body breakdown your food. You’ll get of tons of energy, antioxidants to boost your immunity and fiber to keep your digestion on track. The more colorful the food, the more nutritional punch it’s packing!

2. Give your adrenals a rest- Our adrenal glands secrete chemicals that give us energy, boost our moods, and keep us moving. Carve out time to just chill out and relax. This will rebuild fatigued adrenals and help repair damaged cell tissue. This gets your energy back where you are thriving. Grab a good book, turn off your smart phone, dust off your lounge chair, and just relax. If you are feeling especially depleted from your hurried life, talk to your Chicago chiropractor, Dr.Seaman about vitamins that are specifically designed to support your adrenals.

3. Hydrate your way to health -A general rule of thumb is to avoid thirst; it is a state of dehydration indicating your body has lost 2% of its water weight. By the time you’re really thirsty, it’s already too late! Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, body aches, back & neck pain, as well as an overall lethargic feeling. It is incredibly difficult for your body to function optimally when it is not well hydrated. Try coconut water for a burst of electrolytes.

4. Commit to moving- Ever heard the term ‘move it or lost it’? Take twenty minutes every day to walk, run, bike, swim, hike, or whatever type of movement is easiest for you to do. Just move! This makes sure that your muscles remain flexible and strong.

5. Create a 30-Day discipline- A great way to make a change in habits that are not supporting your health is to commit to one new health habit for 30 days. It takes an average of 21 days for a habit to stick. Summer is a fantastic time to make that commitment. Give up sugar, take a dance class, a new exercise program, or run a 5k. There are so many great opportunities in the Chicago summer to get healthy and all that vitamin d from the sun makes people pretty optimistic and proactive J

6. Get a dose of daily laughter- Laughter can release pain-suppressing opiates, lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, improve memory and learning. Find people and activities that put a smile on your face, In addition to chiropractic, laughter is the next best medicine!

In addition to the tips above, it is always the season to schedule a chiropractic check up! You can evaluate where you are health-wise, and we can make a plan for where you want to be. Dr. Seaman can help you make summer 2012, and every summer thereafter, the healthiest summer ever!  Give us a call at 773-545-2233 or click on chicagochiropractoril.com/chirocontact.html for an appointment.

Diet, Health and Chiropractic, Albany Park Chiropractor 60625

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Looking to jump start your health but don’t know where to start? There is no better way to rejuvenate your health than by eating more nutritiously. This means less junk, more real food! It’s that easy. In fact, even a few simple changes in your diet and lifestyle can have a positive impact on your health- and can also prevent a variety of health problems in the future.

The main problem with our nutrition as a whole is that nobody eats real food anymore. Think about what you had for breakfast. The norm for breakfasts is either some sort of fast food or something sugary cereal or toaster pastry. What kind of nutritional content is that? That’s like giving your car sugar water to run on, instead of premium!

Dr. Seaman, like any other doctor, urges patients to stop smoking, eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and augment their balanced diet with appropriate nutritional supplements.

It might sound like a lot, but here are some simple, effective means of changing your life first by changing your eating habits:

  • Eat more raw foods. Cooking and canning destroys much of the nutrition in foods. Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables always have more natural vitamins and minerals. This means you won’t have to sacrifice convenience for nutrition: stock up on frozen fruits and veggies.
  • Select organically grown foods when possible, because they have lower amounts of toxic elements, such as pesticides and heavy metals. This doesn’t mean that you have to shop at expensive specialty stores: check out farmer’s markets for affordable, fresh food.
  • Consume 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day. Whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, nuts, and some fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber. High-fiber diets can help prevent digestive disorders, heart disease, and colon cancer.
  • Drink eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and alcohol are dehydrators- they are not refreshing you! Don’t substitute them for water.

If you or someone you know are interested in becoming more healthy, give our office a call. Albany Park Chiropractor Dr. Cynthia Seaman has taken numerous post graduate education courses in nutrition, and can help you design the best possible plan for you. Our office number is 773-545-2233, or you can click on http://therapeutic-massage-chicago.com/therapeutic-massage/Email/ to request an appointment today!

Hand Pain and Wrist Pain: Chiropractic Treatment Portage Park 60641

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There are seemingly many causes of hand pain and wrist pain: 1. Sometimes you just use them too much, like on the computer at work. 2. You use them in an unnatural position that they are not used to being in for an extended period of time- i.e- when you assemble a new toy for your kid. 3. Or, you perform a task that you don’t do very often, such as packing boxes when you move. Wrist and hand pain can seriously interfere with your daily life. Common household tasks such as brushing teeth or opening a can of soda may become an excruciating ordeal.

Some of the time, the wrist pain or hand pain simply ‘goes away’. Most often than not, it’s indicative of a deeper issue.

Some typical causes of wrist and hand pain are: a. arthritis, b. tendonitis, and c. carpal tunnel syndrome. Sometimes you really over-do it and you actually pull some of the carpal bones (carpal means wrist in Latin) out of alignment or strain/sprain the ligaments or muscles in the forearm, elbow or hand.

When you have an underlying cause, it requires treatment from Portage Park chiropractor Dr. Seaman. She can get down to the cause of the problem; eliminate the cause, thus eliminating the pain.

Problems in the neck can also cause pain and symptoms in the hand. The reason for this is that that nerves that control the arms and hands originate in the neck. The nerves exit from in between bones in the neck that can lose their proper alignment and offend and irritate the same nerves they were designed to protect. When a bone (vertebrae) loses is normal alignment and irritates (pinches) a nerve, we call this a subluxation. It is interference and it is what Dr. Seaman treats.

Subluxations in the neck can occur from poor posture, injuries, bad ergonomics, stress, slips and falls, car accidents, etc.

There are a number of treatment options available for wrist and hand pain, depending on what is causing the problem. Dr. Seaman will always check a patient from head to toe on both sides when they present with hand pain or wrist pain.

The best thing to do if you have hand pain or wrist pain that you are concerned about is to see Dr. Cynthia Seaman. To schedule an appointment or to set up a free consultation,  give our office a call at 773-545-2233 or click on chicagochiropractoril.com/contact.html

Massage and Chiropractic Irving Park 60641

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Most people think of massage as a ‘fluff’ experience- when it is actually a great way to decrease stiffness, tension and improving joint and muscle movement.

Research over the past couple of years has found that massage therapy boosts immune function in women with breast cancer, improves symptoms in children with asthma, and increases grip strength in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. It helps circulate blood flow throughout the body and aids in the healing process.

Massage is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It’s increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.

We offer a few different massage techniques in our Irving Park office in order to complement our other services:

Trigger point massage- This massage focuses on trigger points, or sensitive areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.

Deep-tissue massage- This technique uses slower, more forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.

Sports Massage- Developed to help with muscle systems used for a particular sport, sports massage uses a variety of approaches to help athletes in training — before, during, or after sports events. Our therapeutic massage therapist may use it to promote flexibility and help prevent injuries, or after a muscle strain, aiding healing after a sports injury.

Chair Massage- Onsite, chair massages are done while you’re seated fully clothed in a portable, specially designed chair. They usually involve a massage of your neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands. Good for a quick fix!

Massage decreases muscle tightness, pain, and rebalances the muscle. It’s a great way to enhance the healing process, especially when first coming to our office. In addition, it also prepares the muscles to be strengthened during the rehabilitation phase. If you’re interested in seeing what massage therapy, in addition to chiropractic care and strength training, can do for you and your pain, give our office a call at 773-545-2233 today or click chicagochiropractoril.com/contact.html to request an appointment.