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(805) 648-7987 | www.VenturaSpineAndNerve.com The Vertebral Column Health Transformations so you THRIVE without dependence on medications
MAR/APR 2021
There are many ways to change your life for the better. And one simple yet seemingly scary choice you can make is to take more risks in life to achieve a positive change . My daughter, Marissa, is teaching me this lesson right now. She and her husband, Bryan, have decided to leave the crowded city of Denver, Colorado and move to the country in Texas. Even though Marissa had an incredibly good job and a beautiful home, they were tired of the congestion and her long daily commute; they wanted to simplify their lives. Their mantra was “Life is too short to spend two hours a day on the freeway.” So, they purchased two acres and a home in East Texas. They understood that this move was a big risk, and there will be plenty of challenges (including the storm of the century right after they arrived!). The problem with a path to positive change is that most of us fear taking risks! We may face rejection, failure, and change. We may fear uncertainty. We think about taking a risk, and our innate fight-or-flight response kicks in. On top of that, we think fear is bad and that we should stay away from it. But actually, fear isn’t bad, and neither is risk! Risk is the very thing that can make us feel alive; we can either choose to sit on the sidelines and watch life pass us by, or we can get out of our comfort zones … and thrive ! I consult every day with people who have arrived at our center because they want to make a change in their health. They often tell me that their health has been going in a downward trajectory for some time, and I often hear the words, “I don’t want to live like this anymore.” So, I always ask some crucial questions to find out if the person in front of me is ready to make the necessary changes in their lifestyle to restore their health. Are they ready to move in a completely different direction so they can transform the quality of their life? The decision Are You Ready to Take the Risk?
must be made that they are ready to do what I recommend. They must also realize there will be challenges, but if they follow the plan, they will achieve their goals. My daughter and son-in-law recognized that they did not want to live like they had been living. They needed to make a big change, and they were ready to do what it took and face the challenges! So, how about you? Perhaps you find yourself in a rut regarding your health and are thinking that you need to take a different direction. I invite you to take a risk and call our office at (805) 648-7987 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation with me so we can discuss a different journey for you. Are you up to taking a risk to change the trajectory of your life?
– Dr . Steven Alff , D . C .
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(805) 648-7987
Laugh More, Age Less WHY LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR YOU
As we age, we’re told to wear sunscreen, eat more vegetables, take vitamins, and even walk more — all in hope that our internal clocks will slow down and we will age better. But something as simple as laughter could actually be one of the easiest ways to slow the ticking clock of aging. Scientists have long known that laughter can be therapeutic and help us live longer. It has been shown to reduce wear and tear on our bodies and improve our relationships. A Norwegian study found that those who prioritized humor were more likely to live past 70 than those who didn’t laugh often. At a biological level, laughter can reduce tension in your muscles and activate a powerful stress-relief response from your brain by releasing dopamine. Just one chuckle may even improve your breathing
and heart function! In fact, laughing can work wonders for the heart. One study showed that laughter therapy helped reduce the blood pressure and cholesterol levels of its participants. Their blood circulation improved, too. Studies have also found that regular laughter can help strengthen your immune system, and it has long-term benefits for those with respiratory conditions. In addition to your body, laughter is also good for your social life. (And we don’t mean that people will want to spend time with you if you have all the good jokes!) Throughout history, laughter has been an evolutionary sign of understanding. When there are language barriers, laughing together can create camaraderie and a tighter bond between people of different cultures. The dopamine release that comes with laughter aids in stress relief and creates
powerful memories that can improve your mood and strengthen friendships.
Of course, laughter has its downfalls, too. Laughing at someone else’s expense is detrimental to their health and can harm your relationships. So, stick to light jokes and actively seek out shows, cartoons, or people who make you laugh. You’ll feel good, and your body will be pretty happy, too.
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL “It is so important not to wait for this condition to get worse.”
“Before coming to see Dr. Alff, I was suffering with severe numbness and a dead feeling in my hands and feet. My balance was horrible every time I would stand and walk. I had to go everywhere with my walker, and I needed to keep my feet apart when I walked so I wouldn’t trip over myself. I couldn’t drive anymore because I couldn’t feel the pedals, and my girls had to take me places and do more things for me. My greatest fear was losing my independence, but that’s where I was headed. I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy by my primary doctor, and he referred me to a neurologist in Camarillo. I made an appointment, and the soonest they could see me was three months from that day. I knew that if I didn’t get help soon, I would be in a wheelchair before that appointment. I came across an article in the Camarillo Acorn about an evaluation to find out if I was a candidate for treatment without medication or surgery for my neuropathy. I showed my daughter the article,
and she researched the practice and found that the doctor is a chiropractor. Back in my day, chiropractor was a bad word! At that point, I was spiraling down fast, and I needed to figure out what could be done. We called and spoke to Samantha. She listened to my concerns and helped me find an appointment time right away to meet with Dr. Alff. The entire experience and program have been excellent. I did EVERYTHING I was asked to do, and now my life has been restored. I can walk again, and I no longer need my walker. I don’t use my walker in the house anymore, and I am able to walk longer distances outside. It is just amazing. I am trying to get my two friends who have neuropathy to get an evaluation. The education you receive here is excellent, as well. I am much more aware and knowledgeable of how to stay healthy. It is so important not to wait for this condition to get worse. If you do everything Dr. Alff asks you to do, you will get better. This has changed my life.”
–Lucy R., Camarillo
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Peripheral neuropathy is a condition affecting more than 30 million Americans — and that number is growing rapidly. This condition is characterized by pain and/or numbness in feet, legs, or hands; it is progressive; and it can become quite debilitating. The Ventura Spine and Nerve Center has developed a precise and effective system to halt and reverse this condition. The interventions and technology we use are designed to address the multiple factors that can contribute to the development of neuropathy and provide ongoing relief for our patients. Why are we now considered the premier facility in Ventura County for the non-drug solution to peripheral neuropathy? It all started when my wife, Susan, was diagnosed with neuropathy when she was having a From Pain to Purpose
bout of burning, stabbing pain in her feet. It stopped her from taking her beloved walks with our dog and going to her dance classes that she loved. What really scared us was that her older brother had these identical symptoms, and he ended up in a wheelchair. Her condition touched off my year-long search to find a method to help her. This proved fruitful, as the protocols I learned stopped her symptoms and restored her quality of life. Now, this program has helped hundreds of people here in our Center and is now helping thousands of others with this debilitating condition in other centers across the U.S. What I found was that peripheral neuropathy almost always has a vascular component. The first group of therapies we utilize are designed to improve nitric oxide production, trigger nerve re-education and angiogenesis, and increase circulation to the extremities. When we can improve the underlying blood supply to the peripheral nerves, as well as address the centrally mediated pain, patients experience substantial decreases in pain, increased
balance, and diminished numbness/tingling that is all too common with neuropathy.
Our program will address all underlying causes of your condition. We also teach you the cause of neuropathy, how to avoid developing neuropathy again, and what lifestyle choices will help eliminate your condition for good. If you are ready to gain independence from your neuropathy condition, give us a call and let’s talk.
Green Goddess Smoothie
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
If you’re looking to get your green on, why not try this light smoothie?
INGREDIENTS
• 1 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk • 1 organic apple, peeled and chopped • 1 medium frozen banana • 1 1/2 cups fresh organic spinach • 1 tbsp chia seeds • 1/2 medium avocado
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large, high-powered blender, add in all ingredients. 2. Blend on high for 1–2 minutes, or until all ingredients are well combined. 3. If necessary, add in more almond milk to thin the smoothie. 4. Serve immediately and enjoy!
3 (805) 648-7987
(805) 648-7987 www.VenturaSpineAndNerve.com
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inside this issue
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Are You Ready to Take the Risk?
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The Easiest Anti-Aging Tactic? Laughter
Testimonial
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Peripheral Neuropathy
Green Goddess Smoothie
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How to Be More Patient and Less Stressed
WithThese 4 Tips Improve Patience and Reduce Stress Breathe Deeply When you feel stressed, your breathing gets shallow, which amplifies anxiety. Practicing deep breathing can help reduce stress and frustration by relaxing your body and mind. This is as simple as taking a few quiet moments to inhale through the nose, drawing your breath into the belly and lungs. Count to four to help you focus as you inhale. Then exhale slowly through your mouth. After a few repetitions, you will find that your mind and body feel calmer. Switch Focus When agitated, it’s common for our thoughts to center on the irritant. Though it may feel difficult to do when you’re stressed out, switching your focus will help you calm down and be more patient. For instance, if you find yourself growing more and more frustrated by hitting red lights as you drive, try focusing on green instead. Looking for passing cars, signs, trees, or anything that is green will help break that hyper-focus and shift it from negative to positive. Soon, those red lights will be less bothersome.
In this fast-paced world, it can be easy to grow impatient. Things as small as waiting for a slow website to load or waiting in a long line for coffee can sometimes leave people feeling frustrated and anxious. Practicing patience helps reduce stress and helps you realize it’s okay if something takes a few extra minutes. If you find yourself feeling impatient, here are a few helpful tips.
Meditate A great way to increase your patience is by meditating, a combination of the first two tips — focus and breathing. Meditation helps people constructively manage thoughts by allowing them to practice observing their thoughts from a neutral perspective. Regular meditation can reduce stress and improve patience throughout the day. Even just 5–10 minutes of daily practice can have a tremendous impact over time. Practice Acceptance While the above tips can help you improve your patience, sometimes you must simply accept that some things can’t be rushed. There will be times when we cannot control the outcome: A red light will change to green when it changes and no sooner. Learning to accept that can help people let go of their frustration, become more understanding of their situation, and greatly improve their patience.
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