December Monthly - Miller Family Chiropractic

Okay…gratituding isn’t really a word…but it could be any day now. New words are constantly coming into existence. When I was a kid, my parents would always correct us when we used the word ain’t. They would jokingly say “aint aint a word!” And it really wasn’t! You couldn’t find it in any dictionary. But look it up today and there it is in any dictionary you choose!

One of the most common ways that new words are made today is by what is called verbing. Verbing is when a noun is used as a verb. For example, the word google originated as a noun, a thing, a company that focused on search engine technology. Now, however, it is more commonly used as a verb (i.e., to google something).

It is in this same fashion that gratituding might become a word in the future. It’s when a person actively expresses gratitude for the good things in his or her life. And at the top of the list, for your gratituding pleasure, should always be your amazing body!!

You eat peanut butter and jelly sandwich (or whatever you eat) and your amazing body turns it into liver tissue and every other kind of tissue your body needs and makes. Your body produces 25 million new cells every second!!

You drink water and your amazing body regulates your body temperature, rids your body of waste products, and lubricates your joints with it. And that’s just a few of the things it does with water! Your body is over 60% water, and it uses water for dozens of things..so drink up!

You go to sleep at night and your amazing body works to support healthy brain function, repair cells, restores energy, and refreshes itself. All while you are sound asleep! And this doesn’t even scratch the surface of the hundreds of things your amazing body can and does do every minute of every day to keep you alive and well! Your liver alone performs over 500 different jobs!

But these multitude of functions don’t just happen by magic! It’s not as easy as adding an “-ing” to the end of a noun and making a whole new word. It takes constant coordination of every body part, and that’s precisely what your nerve system does. Your brain is constantly sending messages to every cell, tissue, and organ of your body organizing and re organizing you with every breath and every beat of your heart, to adapt your amazing body to the every-changing environment in which you live.

BUT (and this is a big but,) you live in a crazy, mixed-up world in which there are countless physical chemical, and emotional stresses bombarding your body. These stresses, which we all face daily, decrease the awesomeness of your amazing body. Dr. Miller can help with that!

He will look for misalignments in your spine that disrupt the communication between your brain and the parts of your amazing body to ensure there are no disruptions in your communication system(i.e., vertebral subluxation). When vertebral subluxations is present, you will be given a gentle adjustment to ensure that you are clear and firing on all cylinders.

Of course, expressing gratitude shouldn’t only happen during the Holiday seasons. When you think about your amazing body (and your awesome family chiropractor) you can be gratituding all day every day.

By Judy Nutz Campanale, DC, ACP. Provided and published by ICPA. For more information visit discoverkidshealth.com 

The office will be closed Wednesday, December 25th, Thursday December 26th, and Wednesday January 1st for the Holiday season. We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

How to Perform a Gentle Spinal Twist Stretch

A spinal twist is a great way to gently stretch your back and improve flexibility, but it’s important to do it correctly to avoid discomfort. Follow these steps:

1. Start by sitting or lying down: If seated, sit on the floor with your legs extended straight out in front of you. If lying down, bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the floor.

2. Position yourself: For the seated version, bend one knee and place your foot flat on the floor outside the opposite thigh. For the lying version, gently drop both knees to one side while keeping your upper body relaxed.

3. Twist gently: If seated, place one hand behind you for support and the opposite elbow outside your bent knee. Gently rotate your torso to look over your shoulder. If lying, rest your knees on the ground while keeping both shoulders flat.

4. Hold the stretch: Breathe deeply and hold the position for 15–30 seconds. Repeat on the opposite side.

Important Note: If you are currently experiencing pain or discomfort, be mindful when trying new stretches. Move slowly and stop if you feel sharp pain. Always listen to your body, and if you’re unsure about any movement, ask us at your next appointment.

Looking for a quick and delicious snack? Protein balls are the perfect solution! They’re super easy to make and totally customizable—swap out oats, peanut butter, or honey for your favorite brands to make them your own. In our recipe, we’ll be using local honey because we love supporting our community while keeping it natural and wholesome. These little bites are great for fueling your day, and we’re thrilled to share simple recipes like this to make your healthy lifestyle easier and more fun.

Let’s roll—literally!

‘Tis the season for coughs and weakened immune systems! Give your body the support it needs by adding extra Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, and a high-quality probiotic to your daily routine—perfect for both adults and children! Stay proactive and keep your family feeling their best this season.