Summer 2009 Many of our Practitioners are now Preferred Providers If you haven't checked in with us for a while, call to see if you can get services for just your co-pay. For More Information about all of Our Practitioners click here Seasonal Recipes by Marianna Beres: Lemon-Poppy Seed Cookies Another wonderful cookie recipe from Susan Marelich. Makes 1-2 dozen. Zucchini and Chickpeas Pasta Salad with Garlic Mustard Vinaigrette A step above your regualr picinic pasta salad--give this new twist a try. Rice Wedding Salad Rice, fresh veggies and seafood make this salad special. Announcements To read more about our new addictions program click here. Marianna Beres Invited to Teach in New York City Marianna, our healthy chef and nutritional coach, as been invited to teach at the Academy of Healing Nutrition in New York City this summer. She is excited to be working in the excellent kitchen at the Culinary Loft (where many of the Food Network shows are filmed.) She will be returning to the Village in the fall to continue her quest to improve clients health with food. Seasonal Book Pick: The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett. If laughter is the best medicine, then we prescibe a healthy dose of this book to keep you health and happy, and to remind you how it feels to be young at heart. In the News Study Finds Too Much Cola Causes Temporary Paralysis Drinking excessive amounts of cola can cause low potassium which leads to muscle weakness or even paralysis. According to Dr. Moses Elisaf, of the University of Ioannina, "We are consuming more soft drinks than ever before, and a number of health issues have already been identified including tooth problems, bone demineralization and the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes." Acetaminophen Is Leading Cause of Acute Liver Failure Although most people think of Tylenol when they think of Acetaminophen, this drug is actually in over 200 over the counter products. Check the labels of medications when taking more than one at a time to avoid an accidental overdose.

Do I Apply Heat or Ice to an Injury? from Dr. Matt Freedman Ice is best used for a new, acute injury to reduce blood flow and avoid swelling and pain. Heat pads and ice packs – the mainstays of every athletic trainer. So, suppose you suffer some type of injury, either a sports injury or a fall down the stairs. Would you know whether to apply heat or ice to the injured area? Here are some general guidelines, although we can certainly advise you as well, should you have any questions about your specific case. Acute Injuries? Apply Ice An acute injury is sudden and may occur as the result of an accident or injury (e.g., a fall off a step may result in an ankle sprain). Usually there is redness, tenderness to the touch, pain and swelling (the sure sign of an acute injury). It is best to apply cold to an acute injury, to restrict blood flow to the area, in order to reduce swelling and pain. A form of ice that can mold to the injured area works well – this could take the form of a gel pack, a plastic bag filled with ice or even a bag of frozen vegetables! Chronic Injuries? Apply Heat Chronic, longstanding injuries require the exact opposite treatment. Chronic injuries also include repetitive sports injuries, such as shin splints. Heat attracts increased blood flow to the area and relaxes tight muscles or muscle spasms. Athletes often apply heat to a chronic injury prior to exercise or an athletic event for just that reason. The application of heat can be as simple as taking a hot bath or shower. You can also use a hot, wet towel (make sure it’s not scalding) or a heating pad. Never go to sleep, however, on any source of heat as this can cause burns to the area. CAUTION: Spinal nerve roots are very sensitive and the increased blood flow that heat produces to surrounding soft tissues can make the problem worse! Call us before ever applying heat to your spine. We recommend that you come in to our practice for an evaluation and the necessary care to an injured area to hasten healing. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have regarding this topic – just give our office a call! (For the complete article including: more details about applying heat and cold click here Seasonal Website Pick: At EWG, their team of scientists, engineers, policy experts, lawyers and computer programmers pore over government data, legal documents, scientific studies and our own laboratory tests to expose threats to your health and the environment, and to find solutions. Their research brings to light unsettling facts that you have a right to know. Check out these staff picked pages from this watchdog group: 2009 Sunscreen Safety Guide Skin Deep: Searchable Cosmetic Safety Database

Sprain vs. Strain? by Nikkie Lattion - Licensed Massage Therapist, #14233 As summer begins it brings with it the wonderful variety of outdoor activities available to us. Summer is a time for refreshing our minds, invigorating our bodies and letting our spirits soar. With increased summer activities the risk of sprains and strains also increases. What are sprains and strains- Muscles connect to bones via tendons. Bones connect to bones via ligaments A strain is an over stretch injury to a muscle resulting in tearing of the fibers of the muscle or tendon. Strains are often caused by a sudden over stretching of the muscle or an extreme contraction of the muscle against heavy resistance. Other contributing factors include not warming and stretching muscles properly before exercise, strength imbalance between muscles and limited flexibility. A sprain is an over stretch injury to a ligament. The cause is a trauma related sudden twist or wrench of the joint beyond its normal range of motion. Many contributing factors can lead up to a sprains such as hypermobility (joints that stretch farther than normal), history of previous sprains and joint issues. (For the complete article including: How to prevent Sprains and Strains click here) Do more FOR your body Benefits of Massage by Madeleine Harsha - Licensed Massage Therapist, #14730 In order to grasp the physical healing benefits of massage one must understand fascia. Fascia is a connective tissue that runs throughout our body that allows force to travel along fascial pathways. These pathways are strong and flexible and create a network of efficient translation of energy through the body. This combined with the strength of the muscles allows the body to move freely. Stress and injury can disrupt the smooth flow of this energy creating a wide spectrum of possible impairments. (For the complete article including: How Massage can benefit your overall health click here)