Advanced Nerve & Laser Center's online newsletter for June 2018
JUNE 2018
3941 FM 2181, Corinth, Texas 76210 940-202-1218 www.nerveandlaser.com
Lessons for My Son SHAR I NG MY KNOWL E DGE AND W I SDOM
“It was a miracle moment, and from then on, my life has never been the same.”
The day my son was born was the most amazing day of my life. I remember sitting in the hospital room while my wife was sound asleep. A nurse rolled Connor into the room and asked if I wanted to feed him. I told her that of course I did and took this tiny baby into my arms. They say you’re never ready to be a parent, and I knew how true that was when Connor was born. But when I held him in my arms for the very
first time and used that little bottle to feed him, I was filled with pure joy. It was a miracle moment, and from them on, my life has never been the same. When it was just my wife and me, we certainly had a lot of fun. We would travel and go out with friends. Then we had Connor, and life became so much more fulfilling. Connor changed my life in so many ways, all for the better. During the school year, I wake Connor up early and get him ready for the day. A few weeks ago, before school let out for the summer, I woke Connor up one morning and could see his neck was hurting him. I asked if he wanted me to adjust him and when I did, he immediately felt better. “Daddy, you’re the best chiropractor I know!” he said with a big smile on his face. Then he paused and added, “Daddy, you’re the only chiropractor I know!” His words came from a place of such pure innocence; my heart swelled with love. I love being a dad. I love teaching my son important lessons, being there when he needs me, and helping him grow up to be a good person. The biggest responsibility a parent has is to teach their kids the valuable lessons they need to excel in life. To be honest, though, my love of teaching even extends to my patients. It’s weird to think about, but the health of our own bodies is something so few people understand. Just look at how dietary suggestions change over the years. Part of my job as a doctor, much like my job as a dad, is to help cut through all the conflicting information and get to the heart of the matter.
When Conner first came home.
I don’t want to be the kind of dad who tells my son, “Do this because I said so.” That doesn’t give Connor the tools he needs to grow or make good decisions on his own in the future. I want to teach him how to understand and be independent, just like I want to teach my patients to take control of their health. I could list off facts and figures all day, but what good does that do if my patients aren’t able to put that information into context and use it again in the future? Instead, I guide my patients in the right direction, educating them where necessary, and helping them gain the knowledge and values to make the right choices regarding their health. More often than not, being a dad and being a doctor are two different areas of my life, but in some ways, they mirror each other. I love being able to help my patients and see their lives improve, just like I love being able to see the progression of my son’s life and be there as he starts to make decisions on his own.
–Dr. Bao Tha i
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HOW MEDITATION HELPS YOU MAINTAIN BRAIN HEALTH IMPROVE COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN MINUTES
Meditation has often been touted by New Age gurus as a way to find inner peace and stillness. But what if meditating could reduce the effects of aging on your brain? According to research, taking a few minutes out of your day to meditate may improve cognitive function.
specializing in the effects of yoga and meditation on cognitive and behavioral function, reports that long-time meditators don’t show a decline in the thickness of the prefrontal cortex. The Hippocampus Your hippocampus helps you process and form new memories, and it’s very sensitive to stress. In fact, research shows that your hippocampus will shrink in response to stressful situations and chronic stress. The remedy? Meditation. Dr. Lazar’s study showed a positive correlation between meditation and a higher concentration of gray matter in the left hippocampus. The Amygdala Often called the fear center of the brain, the amygdala is triggered by stressful situations. But unlike the hippocampus, which shrinks in response to stress, the amygdala has been shown to become denser. In one study, people who attended mindfulness meditation classes showed a smaller stress response in brain scans compared to those who did not attend the classes. Meditation may help to decrease the density of the amygdala and therefore increase your ability to handle stress. Of course, in addition to these benefits, there’s a good chance that five minutes of meditation each day will simply make you feel better. People who meditate report an increase in overall well-being. Why not give it a try?
As meditation’s popularity has spread, so have studies of the practice. The results of 100 studies examining the cognitive effects of meditation all show evidence of improvement in psychological and cognitive functions. Some of the results are intuitive, such as how meditation helps us deal with stress. But other results are incontrovertible, such as scans showing that meditation causes structural changes in the brain. For people facing age-related changes like memory loss, the results of these tests are especially relevant. The studies point to evidence that meditation can strengthen certain areas of the brain — the prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus, and the amygdala — that weaken as we age. The Prefrontal Cortex Your prefrontal cortex thins with age, which is associated with decreased cognitive function in your later years. However, meditation may reduce this age-related thinning. Dr. Sara Lazar, a neuroscientist
Testimonials
“Dr. Thai is honest and straightforward in the assessment and treatment process. Dr. Thai and his wonderful staff personally give you mental and physical
encouragement with each visit and phone call. The protocol equips me with the skills and knowledge to remain free from neuropathic pain in the future.” – Ronnie “Today, I have significantly less pain. I am sleeping again. I do not dread getting up to start to move. I am still working on strengthening and flexibility to help me keep this improvement going. But I am so thankful that I am not in constant pain.” – Cheryl “My balance has returned, and I have been able to catch myself if I start to fall. With the dissipation of pain, I am able to be more active than I have in too many years to count. I am not as sedentary and every day that gets better.” – Michalynn
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ARE YOU I N DANGER OF LOS I NG YOUR BALANCE? ON THE TIGHTROPE
Do you know why you get dizzy when you spin around, even if your eyes are closed? Our sense of balance has nothing to do with our sight but is instead controlled by a complex organ in our inner ear called the vestibular system. Full of nerve cells and fluid, the vestibular system tells our brain when we are laying down, sitting up, or moving around. Unfortunately, the vestibular system isn’t infallible. Our sense of balance can be compromised due to certain health conditions, medications, or problems with the inner ear or brain. People who suffer from balance disorders report feeling unsteady, woozy, nauseous, and an unexplained sensation of spinning or floating. Vertigo is one example of a balance disorder that causes a person to feel as if they are spinning on a merry-go-round even when standing perfectly still. Caused when calcium builds up in the inner ear, vertigo can often be cured after a brief appointment with an ENT doctor. But other balance disorders are more difficult to treat. At Advanced Nerve and Laser Center, we treat a number of patients who struggle to maintain their balance. In addition to numbness, muscle weakness, and pain, many people who suffer from neuropathy also face a severe loss of balance. If you have never struggled with balance issues, it’s easy to assume a balance
disorder is less pressing than physical pain, but the reality is that in certain situations, poor balance can pose a greater risk of negatively impacting your life.
Falling due to a balance disorder can result in serious physical injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report 800,000 people are hospitalized due to a fall injury each year, and most suffer from a hip fracture or head wound. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, and falling once more than doubles your chances of falling again. Your sense of balance is a crucial part of your overall health and well-being. If you’re struggling to walk confidently or even stand up without feeling dizzy, call 940-202-1218. In countless cases, our treatment process has been successful in reducing pain, increasing balance, and improving overall quality of life. It may be able to help you too.
BALSAMIC CHICKEN W I TH BACON AND AP P L E S
SUDOKU
[Inspired by wholesomelicious.com]
With this one-pan wonder, you can complete an entire meal in under an hour. It tastes delicious and makes your kitchen smell heavenly.
INGREDIENTS
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1/4 cup rosemary, finely chopped 10 ounces Brussels sprouts, halved, stems removed 2 apples, cored, peeled, and coarsely chopped 6 slices bacon, cut into squares Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
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1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, cut into pieces 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
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1/2 cup olive oil Juice of 1/2 lemon
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2 cloves garlic, crushed
DIRECTIONS
1.
Blend balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon, rosemary, and garlic to create marinade. Pour into bowl or sealable bag and add chicken. Marinate for at least 5 minutes or up to 12 hours. The longer you marinate, the more flavorful the chicken will be.
apples on a baking sheet. Add chicken and pour any extra marinade over the top. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Bake 20–25 minutes until chicken is cooked through. For extra crunchiness, turn the heat up to 425 F for the last 5 minutes. 4. Transfer to platter and serve immediately.
2. Heat oven to 375 F. Spread Brussels sprouts, bacon, and
Call Now! 940-202-1218 • 3
3941 FM 2181 Corinth, TX 76210 940-202-1218 www.nerveandlaser.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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I Love Being a Dad
How Meditation Helps You Maintain Brain Health Our Patients Say It Best Is Your Balance a Health Risk? Balsamic Chicken With Bacon and Apples
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It’s Not Always a Cavity
3 Steps to Avoiding a Painfu l Dental Fracture THE THAI REPORT:
simultaneously destroying your teeth. A retainer or oral appliance can prevent your teeth from grinding and help you sleep better.
Dental and oral health advice from Dr. Bao Thai’s other half at Swisher Dental.
Most people blame cavities for all dental pain, but many times, the cause is actually a tooth fracture. These hairline fractures are hard to spot, but they cause a great deal of pain. Even a small crack in your tooth exposes the soft pulp inside, which contains nerves and blood vessels. You can suffer from a tooth fracture even if you brush and floss every day. Here are some things you can do to reduce your likelihood of fracturing a tooth. Careful what you put on the menu. Many fractures are caused when patients bite down on something that can damage their teeth. Hard candy, ice, and popcorn kernels are common culprits, but we also see patients who have fractured their molars while gnawing on a pen cap. Be attentive about what you put in your mouth and try to avoid hard foods. Don’t clench or grind your teeth. Some people grind their teeth when they are stressed or angry, but many who grind their teeth do so while asleep. A symptom of sleep disorders, grinding opens airways while
Keep your teeth protected. If you or a family member participate in rough contact sports, like soccer, football, or rugby, be sure to wear a mouthguard or protective mask. These strategies can help prevent future fractures, but if you currently suffer from dental pain when you chew or eat something hot or cold, then you likely already have a fracture and need to seek treatment right away. Fixing a fracture is a relatively simple process using the crowns offered at Swisher Dental. This month only, we have a special offer to help everyone struggling with a fracture live pain-free again! Patients who do not have dental insurance get $100 off their first crown from now until Saturday, June 30, 2018. Call 940-312-6939 today to take advantage of this limited time offer. –Dr. Suzanne Thai
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