The Benefits of Chiropractic Care

You are suffering from a headache and what do you do?  You might take Aspirin or Tylenol seeking quick relief.  What if you could find out the root cause of your headache and address that cause therefore preventing future episodes? 

Identifying the cause of the symptom is critical to preventing reoccurrence.  A headache may be due to a myriad of reasons, such as your diet, stress, lack of sleep, caffeine, physical trauma, or emotional upset. 

Chiropractic is a healthcare profession in which Doctors of Chiropractic practice a gentle hands-on healing art that does not utilize medications or surgery.  Chiropractors provide a diagnosis and treatment plan based on a comprehensive patient examination. 

            Nutrition, dietary, and lifestyle counseling may also be a part of chiropractic care.  For example, neck or back pain or headaches often has an inflammatory component to them.  Therefore, it may be beneficial to use specific nutrition to naturally decrease inflammation in the body.  Additionally, it is important to modify daily activities in order to lessen the strain on those areas. 

Chiropractic care may help resolve musculoskeletal health issues including back or neck pain, headaches, muscle imbalances, scoliosis, etc.  Chiropractic patients often find they also have increased energy, feel more youthful, and are better equipped to handle daily stress.

Healthy Tips for the Holidays

 In the midst of the stress of the holidays it is easy to forget about your health goals and “let yourself go.”  However, with a bit of preparation, you can stay on track and prevent the typical stress and weight gain during the holiday season.  Carve out some time every day for YOU.  Use this time to do something you enjoy.  You might take advantage of this time to maintain balance despite the stress and indulgences that might come with the festivities.  You might go for a walk or jog, take a yoga or pilates class, or simply take a relaxing bath.  During holiday parties, it is easy to be tempted by foods that are not in line with your usual health goals, overeat, and drink more than you typically would.  In order to avoid these unhealthy and unwanted behaviors, you might practice some of the following tips:

·         Focus on the celebration of the holidays with friends and family rather than the food and drink.

·         Bring your favorite healthy dessert so that you can indulge without being tempted by other unhealthy desserts that are available.

·         Eat a small meal or snack ½ hour before you go to the party to avoid hunger and then overindulging.

·         Graze throughout the party on healthier options like vegetables and protein dishes.

·         If you choose to have foods and drinks that are not in line with your health goals, then balance them with extra vegetables and exercise that same day.

Insight on the Fall Season...and Apple Crisp! by Denise Zeiff, L.Ac., C.N.S.

It's Fall:

The season of harvest and gathering. A time to gather together to store food, wear warm clothing, it is a time to study and plan for the approaching stillness of winter.  Everything in nature is contracting and moving downward.  Leaves and fruit fall and the seeds start to dry.

The forces of Autumn create dryness in Heaven and metal on Earth; they create the lung organ and the skin upon the body…and the nose, and the white color, and the pungent flavor…the emotion grief, and the ability to make a weeping sound. 

                                                                                                 The Inner Classic

 Harvest is only a part of a cycle: without the preceding season of planting and growth, nothing would be possible to reap.  One season gives way and a progression into the next phase begins.  A continuous cycle is the core of Chinese medicine and philosophy.

The season of harvest requires hard work and the ability to receive.  The lungs receive qi or vital energy from the air and the qi extracted from the foods that we eat.  The combination of qi and nutrients are then distributed throughout the body.  In health, the lung qi consolidates, gathers, maintains strength to protect us against virus’, bacteria etc…The ability to hold on and let go can be expressed by the emotional attachment.  The colon is the yang counterpart of the lungs and its function is of letting go what is no longer needed.

Apples moisten dryness and cool heat in the lungs; it stimulates the appetite and remedies indigestion.

 The phytonutrients in apples can help you regulate your blood sugar. Recent research has shown that apple polyphenols can help prevent spikes in blood sugar  and that "an apple a day" can increase HDL (the "good" cholesterol) and lower Triglycerides (the "bad" cholesterol).

Healthy Apple Crisp (when I make this for family and friends, there is never any leftovers, we have eaten it warm straight from the cooling phase as well as straight from the refrigerator…either temperature works)

10 apples peeled and sliced (start with 10 apples, however, you can really use as many apples as you would like)

arrowroot powder

1/4 cup agave

cinnamon

raisins and/or cranberries

your favorite granola

 Use a large bowl to coat apples with arrowroot powder.  Drizzle the agave and mix until apples are coated.  Place apples into a greased baking dish and sprinkle granola and raisins/cranberries on top until the apples are covered.  Pat the granola down and bake at 350 degrees until apples are bubbling.  Cool for at least 1/2 hour and enjoy!

A Celebration of Health!

On Tuesday, October 5^th a group of men and women gathered at Bee-Organic in Great Neck, N.Y. to celebrate their victory of re-claiming their health.  They were participants in a 12-week therapeutic lifestyle program headed by Dr. Michelle Klein (Chiropractor, Clinical Nutritionist) and Denise Zeiff, (Acupuncturist, Clinical Nutritionist) at Balance Equals Health, Inc. Located at 310 E. Shore Rd. in Great Neck, NY. Patients entered the program with various chronic disease and health issues including hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, pre-diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.  Some were taking medications while others were warned by their medical doctors that they would be put on medication if they did not change their lifestyle. 

The 12-week therapeutic lifestyle program incorporated objective and subjective testing including base line lab reports from their primary care physician, bio-impedance analysis, health and stress questionnaires, waist and hip measurements, and body mass index (BMI) measurements.  Based on the objective data and the individual needs of the patient, a custom food and exercise plan was created.  Many patients also were given stress management tools and taught how to implement them into their daily lives. 

What makes this program unique is that instead of using a pre-made diet and exercise plan, each patient received an individualized, customized lifestyle plan that was meant to fulfill their personal health goals.  They were supported throughout the program by having weekly office visits.  That way, their program was able to be slightly altered as needed based on how their bodies were responding to the therapeutic plan. 

By the end of the 12-week therapeutic lifestyle program, all participants improved their cholesterol levels, blood pressure, waist/hip ratio, BMI, blood glucose levels, and lost weight.  The diagnosis of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia no longer applied to some participants.  Some were able to go off of medications under the supervision of their medical doctors.  They felt better, looked better, and most importantly improved their quality of life through the improvement in their health.

Michelle Klein, DC, CNS and Denise Zeiff, L Ac, CNS can be reached at:

Balance Equals Health, Inc.

(516) 466-1045

BalanceEqualsHealth@gmail.com

www.BalanceEqualsHealth.blogspot.com

Michelle Klein, D.C., C.N.S. and Denise Zeiff, L.Ac., C.N.S. with David J.A. Jenkins, Ph.D., M.D., FACN and Tamas Szamosi, M.D., Ph.D., FACN

Dr. David Jenkins

This past week we attended the 51st annual Meeting of the American College of Nutrition.  The topic was "Advances in Clinical Nutrition."  We had the opportunity to learn about the current research in the area of clinical nutrition and to meet with doctors such as Dr. Jenkins who is a leader in the field of the Glycemic Index.  We also had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Tamas Szamosi from the Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary who discussed the "Life Modification Treatment as an Intervention for the Prevention of Young Adult Atherosclerosis in  Childhood and Adolescent Age in Europe."



Dr. Tamas Szamosi



Top 10 Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Skincare Products

1. Parabens: Have hormone-disrupting qualities
2. Diethanolamine, Triethanolamine: Toxic when absorbed over prolonged periods of time.
3. Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea: Release formaldehyde; toxic and carcinogenic.
4. Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate: May cause rashes/irritations.
5. Petrolatum, Mineral Oil: May cause dryness/chapping of the skin.
6. Propylene Glycol: May cause allergic reactions, hives, eczema.
7. Stearalkonium Chloride: May cause allergic reactions.
8. Synthetic Colors and Dyes: Carcinogenic.
9. Synthetic Fragrances: May have up to 2,000 chemical ingredients; May cause headaches, dizziness, rashes, irritations.

(http://www.omaroma.com/)

Vaccines are not tested in combination - Fox News

Chiropractors Helping Kids Fight Infections

You Need to Lose Weight...

You go to your doctor for your yearly physical and the doctor tells you that you are looking at cardiovascular disease if you don't drop some of that weight.  So now you tell yourself that you need to figure out a way to lose weight.  You think about hitting the gym and going on a diet.  Sound familiar?

Although weight loss may be important for you to change your health picture, it is critical to remember that weight is just a number on the scale.  Remember that if you begin working out you will likely begin to gain muscle mass which weighs more than fat. 

Therefore, I'd suggest that you think about your body composition in addition the the number on the scale.  In other words, find a practitioner that can perform bio impedence analysis for you, which is a test that determines how much of your body weight is fat mass vs. muscle mass vs. water mass.  This information will help you to determine which type of exercise program works best for you and you can monitor how your changed eating and lifestyle habits are working for you. 

In Good Health!

We currently offer bio impedence analysis in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Please ask Dr. Klein or Denise Zeiff if you are interested in body composition testing.

Food Choices By Denise Zeiff, L.Ac., C.N.S.

I have not written in a couple of weeks for a very good reason.  My oldest son was married on September 5 and we were busy with all the going ons.  It was a fairy tale of a day and I think it was due to the fact that Joshua and Sadie planned their special day for a long time and they both maintained who they were throughout the whole process.

I am constantly recommending food choices to patients each and every day.  We work to create a balance with acupuncture treatment and then maintain the treatment with healthy food choices that enhance their health.

Sometimes, hectic scheduals may make food choices challenging, but do they really have to be; or do we need to take a few important moments to think about what we will eat for the next meal or the next day that will actually fuel our bodies?

Sadie has been gluten free for quite some time.  Ever since she adapted eating this way, she feels and looks fantastic.  Her health status and energy has been good, her weight is down and her thinking is clear. 

So as I mentioned, Josh and Sadie have maintained who they are throughout.  Therefore, before the wedding a gluten free wedding cake had to be created.  Sadie herself, baked her chocolate cake with vanilla frosting so that the first bite of a sweet life taken by the bride and groom could be pure and sweet. 

There was also a professional wedding cake that was served to the guests but I preferred the gluten free slice.

There really does not have to be food dilemmas. Just some thought about a very important you!

Cabbage-Apple Slaw

1 small-medium head of purple cabbage

1 small apple

1 tbsp. red wine vinegar

2 tbsp. EVOO

½ tsp. sea salt

Chop up cabbage and apple and place in a large bowl. Add vinegar, olive oil, and sea salt. Toss to combine. Enjoy with a piece of fish or any other protein of your choice.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Over the years patients have often asked me, How does acupuncture work? What am I doing when I insert these tiny needles? When their treatment is over they are often amazed at how relaxed they feel. If there is pain, it is lessened, maybe they were experiencing a certain emotion, when they are ready to leave that is no longer the experience. Let me give a brief overview…


Thousands of years ago Chinese physicians identified and mapped out the locations of energetic channels and specific points along these channels, now referred to as meridians or pathways. These meridians or energetic pathways form a highly complex network (not visible to the naked eye) that transports and directs energy to every part of our body.

Acupuncture is a branch of Chinese Medicine that deals with the energy that flows through fourteen major meridians or energetic pathways. Twelve of these meridians are networked on the right and left sides of our body. One of the channels is located on the front midline and one on the midline of the back. In addition there are numerous extra channels and points located throughout the body. The smooth flow of qi or vital energy is essential to achieve optimal health. If a blockage or shift in the amount, flow, or balance of energy occurs this may result in pain, dysfunction, disease and poor health.

The balance of vital energy can be affected by any harmful substance such as environmental toxins, poor nutrition, disease, injury, excessive exposure to heat, dampness or cold, and excessive emotional responses such as anger, worry or anxiety.

Acupuncture needles, which are thinner than a strand of hair, are used on specific points to restore the normal flow of qi. Treating these points allows the acupuncturist to achieve a balanced circulation of energy. As a result of creating this balance, the body can now start to repair and maintain the potential of health that is innate in that particular individual.

Qi can also be referred to as a life force. When there is a balanced distribution of energy along the meridians this can then influence the energy of the organs as well as the other body systems such as the skeletal, muscular, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, nervous, and reproductive systems. Everything in the body works together and when homeostatic balance is achieved; then all the bodies’ internal relationships and interrelationships can work in harmony. This is optimal health.


Some of the main objectives of incorporating acupuncture treatments are to:
-Strengthen the immune system
-Alleviate pain and other symptoms
-Create and maintain a harmonious and balanced integration of mind, body and spirit.

In the ancient text of the Shen Nong Ben Cao, China’s oldest text, it is stated:
“The highest type of medicine helps the patient fulfill their destiny”
“The middle type of medicine helps the patient nourish original nature”
“The lowest type of medicine treats physical illness”

                                                                                                            Denise Zeiff, L.Ac., C.N.S.
 

A short video on "Applied Kinesiology: What is it?"

Many of you are intrigued as I work and have asked "how does that work" as I'm muscle testing you.  This is a short video from Charles Seminars that begins to give an answer to that question.  I will follow up with future posts that further answer the question for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZLX50CcGAU&feature=player_embedded


                                                                                                                                     Dr. Michelle Klein

Chronic Disease: Obesity, Diabetes, Hypertension...

While this blog was being constructed in thought and physically, I was taking an advanced course in acupuncture. There were many syndromes that were discussed within the 21 hours, however, pain, digestive and hormonal imbalances, hypertension, obesity, stress and diabetes had big lectures attached to them.


By the way, do you know what is responsible for 7 of every 10 deaths, affect the quality of life of 90 million Americans, and consume 78% of all health care expenditures?

The answer is Chronic Disease.

So whether I am taking an Acupuncture course based on Eastern Medicine or a course in clinical nutrition based in Western Medical science, chronic disease is a huge problem that needs urgent addressing.

Dr. Klein and I have become extremely passionate about developing a program that implements acupuncture, chiropractic, nutrition, fitness, and stress management plans that are designed specifically for you.

American adults and children are in epidemic proportions of chronic disease and we have to do something about it!

Please take this opportunity for you or someone you know who is suffering with being overweight or obese, high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, have a family history of these diseases, or are looking for a way to prevent them.

"Make your lifestyle habits work for you, creating health in place of disease."  Call now.

                                                                                                                Denise Zeiff, L.Ac., C.N.S.

"Acupuncture and Back Pain" by Denise Zeiff, L.Ac., C.N.S.

It is important to distinguish between acute back pain and chronic back pain. The type of treatment, length of treatment and treatment outcomes will vary, depending on how old the injury is.


When back pain is acute, you have just injured yourself within a week and come in for acupuncture; you will usually see results in a few days.

With chronic back pain, the root of the pain has to be identified and may take more time to alleviate the pain and promote healing. The longer you have a symptom or the more serious it is, the longer it will take to fix it. With chronic conditions, acupuncture treatments have a cumulative effect that will build within the body.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has several effective modalities for treating back pain. The most common modality is acupuncture, which is highly effective for both acute and chronic back pain. Moxibustion (moxa) is a TCM practice that dates back hundreds of years. A particular plant of the artemesia family is processed into a concentrated form and is used as a therapy to send soothing therapeutic heat into the acupuncture channel. It can be placed on a specific acupuncture point(s) directly onto the skin; it can be applied to the handle of an acupuncture needle so the warmth of the moxa heats up the needle and sends the heat down into the affected area, or held above the surface of the skin, having a deeply warming effect.

Chinese herbal formulas are also a very important TCM modality. When I did my internship in China, whether the patient had acute or chronic back pain, they were treated with acupuncture and herbal formulas. Herbs are important because they have a strong effect to correct internal imbalances.

Acupuncture, herbs, moxibustion, and dietary modifications are used in combination or as needed, to unlock stagnation, promote the flow of Qi and blood, and to tonify any deficiencies and degeneration that may come with age and stress.

5 Things You Can Do Right Now That Will Have a Positive Effect on Your Health

1. Breathe.

Think about how a baby breathes. They take deep belly breaths where you can actually see their belly rise as they inhale and fall and they exhale. When we are stressed we tend to breathe high in our chest which is less productive than inhaling deep into our belly. Deep breathing automatically calms us and increases our oxygenation.

2. Eat smaller meals and chew your food.

Rather than eating while driving, watching TV, talking on the phone, working at your desk, etc. try sitting down to a meal and focusing on actually chewing and enjoying your food. You will find that you are more satisfied with smaller portions and will improve your digestion.

3. Remove refined sugars from your diet.

Refined sugar is inflammatory and creates blood sugar highs and lows. In order to satisfy a desire to eat something sweet try fruit that is in season. Right now, peaches and plums are in season and are delicious. The best way to know what is in season is to visit the farm market.

4. Move.

The benefits of exercise are infinite; but to name a few exercise helps to oxygenate the blood, lift your mood, keep joints healthy, and improve the blood sugar response. If you have been sedentary then simply go for a walk. If you have been doing an exercise routine, speak with your doctor or trainer and see if it is time to make it a bit more challenging.

5. Drink Water.

Our bodies are made up of 50-80% water which must be replenished daily. The formula to figure out how much water you personally need on a daily basis is to take your weight and divide that number by 2. This will give you the number of ounces of water that you should drink daily. So for example if you weigh 150 lbs. then you need 75 oz. water/day. The best way to drink the water is to sip it slowly throughout the day.

What Can We Do About Obesity?

According to the CDC, in 2009 25.8% of adults in New York are suffering from obesity.  This means that one of every four people you know are obese/overweight.  Obesity/overweight is a lifestyle related chronic condition that must be treated with a multi-dimensional approach. 

Addressing the underlying cause of chronic conditions in an integrative manner is the focus of Balance Equals Health, Inc.  We utilize a 12-week Therapeutic Lifestyle Change program that allows patients to make their lifestyle choices work for their health, ultimately leading to the reversal of chronic disease.  The 12-week program that we use with our patients has been demonstrated in multiple clinical trials to help the following health issues:

• Elevated Cholesterol
• Elevated Blood Pressure
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Overweight/Obesity
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Insulin Resistance or Metabolic Syndrome
• Osteoporosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Conditions Related to Aging

Childhood Diabetes by Dr. Michelle Klein

Childhood diabetes afflicts approximately 151,000 individuals under 20 years old. Over the last twenty years, type 2 diabetes, previously known as adult-onset diabetes, has been increasingly reported in children and adolescents. One explanation for this statistic is the epidemic of obesity and the low level of physical activity among young people. In addition, there is an increased exposure to diabetes in utero, due to the rise in type 2 diabetes among adults (CDC, 2005).


Over the last twenty years, obesity has become the most prevalent nutritional problem in the world, and is affecting adults as well as adolescents and children (Lau, et al, 2006).

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, exercise recommendations for children with diabetes are to have 30-60 minutes of physical activity per day and to limit television and video game time to 1-2 hours per day (Peterson, et al, 2007). The benefits of exercise include enhanced insulin efficacy, weight loss, increased training (increased VO2 max), and enhanced psycho-motor development (Corigliano, et al, 2006). Exercise results in an increased blood flow to the muscles, allowing for enhanced oxygen delivery and waste disposal (Giannini, et. al, 2006).

Children with type 2 diabetes may also be obese which may be a result of, or contribute to low levels of physical activity. Multi-component interventions which involve school, family, and/or the community may have a positive impact on the physical activity levels in children and adolescents (Van Sluijs, et al, 2007).

"Childhood Obesity from a Holistic Perspective" by Dr. Michelle Klein

http://www.naturallysavvy.com/conscious-parenting/childhood-obesity-from-a-holistic-perspective

Dinner from the Farmer's Market

Seared Tuna with 2 Kinds of Summer Squash, Fennel, and Tomatoes

All of the ingredients for this dish were bought at the local farmer's market today.  We feel it is important to eat fresh, local, organic food whenever possible.  It's also nice to know the people who are growing your vegetables and catching the fish you are eating for dinner. 

The vegetables were sauteed in vegetable broth and a little bit of olive oil.  The fish was seared using a tiny amount of olive oil and then sprinkled with pink salt. 

Welcome to our blog!

Check back often for health information, recipes, nutrition tips, and articles on various health topics.