NOVA Chiropractic & Acupuncture November 2018

THANKSGIVING PREP FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Thanksgiving is more than just a feast; it’s about coming together as a family and being thankful for one another. So why wait to get into the spirit until everyone is seated at the table? Here are a few ways you can make the actual preparation of Thanksgiving dinner fun and engaging for the whole family! GIVE EVERYONE A ROLE No, not those rolls — yet. Making the feast a family project can turn the day from a hectic list of chores into a magical bonding experience. It’s important to match each family member to a job that best fits their abilities. Young children can mash potatoes or rinse ingredients in the sink. Older kids can take on more responsibility, like measuring ingredients, keeping an eye on timers, and setting the table. Teens and young adults can supervise their younger siblings and cousins in these important tasks and may be called upon to stir what’s on the stove while an adult checks on the football game. ROLL OUT THE DECORATIONS Still not talking about bread. Not everything in Thanksgiving preparation needs to be tied to the kitchen. Creative family members of all ages can work together to bring some seasonal flare to the dining room. Maybe this means picking up some Thanksgiving coloring books, or perhaps the family can venture outdoors to collect autumn trimmings for crafts. It’s a great way to let each family member put their own personal spin on the holiday! HAVE A ‘ROLLER DERBY’ Finally. While an adult should be the one to put these delicious baked goods in the oven, the whole family can help shape the dough. In fact, Care.com recommends making this a contest. Set aside a time when everyone can vie for the title of Fastest Roll Maker, and you’ll have plenty of warm, flaky, delicious treats come dinnertime. Letting everyone play a part may take a little more planning and add slightly more chaos to your Thanksgiving preparations. But it’s sure to produce a lot of great memories and bonding moments among your loved ones. And by the time you sit down to eat, you’ll all have

HEAT OR ICE?

Know How to Treat Injuries

Imagine that you’ve been injured; you’re in pain, and the area is starting to swell. Of course, you want to relieve the pain you’re feeling. Then someone offers you two options: an ice pack or a heating pad. Which would be the best choice for your injury? Many people don’t realize that there is a significant difference between the use of each. If either treatment is used incorrectly, you could actually make the injury worse. USING ICE For acute injuries, it’s recommended to use ice during the first 24–48 hours after of the injury. Usually, injuries that cause sharp pains, radiating pain, numbness, or tingling benefit from ice. When the area becomes cooler, it will slow the blood flow and circulation in the area, causing inflammation and swelling to decrease. It’s best to ice the area for 15 minutes maximum and then remove it. Let your skin and tissue warm back up to room temperature for the next 45 minutes to an hour, then reapply. This should be repeated 3–4 times for the best results. USING HEAT An appropriate time to apply heat is when treating chronic or muscular injuries and when the area still hurts past the first 48-hour window. Heat will help to loosen muscles and extend their range of motion. It can also help patients who endure stiffness from arthritis because it improves circulation and blood flow to the injured area. To apply heat safely, use a moist hot pack, heating pad, or a hot, wet towel. Similar to applying ice, heat treatment should be placed on the area for only 15 minutes. Then, remove the head and allow the area to cool for 45 minutes to an hour. Reapply 3–4 times.

something to be thankful for right in front of you — Those. Delicious. Rolls.

Knowing which method to use at the proper time can help reduce your pain and heal the injury faster.

NovaChiroWellness.com

(703) 912-7822

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