Optimal Health Broomfield CO

Auto Accitdent-Broomfield Chiropractor

2011-06-15T07:11:00.000-07:00

Auto Accident in Broomfield or North Denver, Colorado

Been in a Car Accident? We Can Help!! It is important that you get your spine examined by a Certified Doctor of Chiropractic immediately. Impact as slow as 5 mph can cause whiplash, which could have damaging long term effects on a spine. Call our Broomfield Chiropractor office and our friendly staff will walk you through the process step by step. Optimal Health Chiropractic works with most auto accident insurances and with personal injury attorneys.

What can Chiropractic do for auto accident injuries?

The auto accident that caused the whiplash in the first place may fade memory, but the physical and psychological damage of the car accident becomes chronic, eroding in a victim's quality of life. Chiropractic techniques and chiropractors' skill are particularly well-suited to relieving the neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, mid back pain, numbness/tingling, low back pain, fatigue and other debilitating effects of whiplash because they can:

Restore movement lost after the auto accident
Overcome muscle weakness and enhance muscle tone
Speed recovery
Reduce Pain, inflammation, muscle spasms & scar tissue
Increase Range of motion, flexibility and strength
Diminish chronic symptoms that can persist over many years
Increase overall well being by stabalizing the injuries from the auto accident

Research shows effective chiropractic treatments have proved successful for many thousands of auto accident patients. A Chiropractor can, in many cases, significantly reduce patients' distress and allow them to return to their normal activities.

What to do if you are involved in an auto accident?

Knowing who to call and what to do in the few minutes after an accident protects you and your loved ones:

Move all involved vehicles off busy roads. Use extra care when moving injured passengers; call an ambulance, if necessary.
Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers and insurance information with all involved parties, including any witnesses.
Make notes of how the car accident happened while it is fresh in your mind.
Call the police.
Call your auto insurance company.
Call us for an immediate consultation and examination.

Severe injuries can, and often do, result from relatively low-impact force. The fact is that many people do not notice symptoms of neck, back, arm or leg injuries–even severe injuries--for days or even weeks after an auto accident.
The longer you wait to get examined, the longer it can take to restore your health. It is important to have a physical exam immediately following any accident, even if the accident seemed minor.
Seemingly minor spinal injuries often go undetected by routine emergency medical examinations. If left untreated, these injuries can become permanent, causing degeneration of the spine and leading to a life of constant pain.
If you have reason to believe you or someone you know may have whiplash as the result of an auto accident, immediately stabilize and protect the head so that it cannot be exposed to further injury.
For temporary relief, apply an ice pack to the area to help reduce inflammation and decrease the pain. Apply the ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, allowing at least 30 minutes between applications.

Please let us know if we can help, give us a call at 303-466-3988!!! We are here to serve your needs!!

The Power of Pain!

2011-04-25T09:41:00.000-07:00

What is pain? Where does pain come from? Why are so many people in pain? I get these questions everyday in our office from new patients that are sick and tired of suffering from pain. So today, I want to give you some real answers that could potentially change your life forever.

First, what is pain? One of my favorite sayings is, "Pain is not your problem, the cause of the pain is your problem." We are taught from birth that pain is THE PROBLEM, when in fact the PROBLEM is what is causing the pain. For example, lets take a look at low back pain (LBP). Statistically, 80% of Americans suffer from low back pain. Now, this LBP could be caused by a multitude of problems....muscle sprain/strain, spinal damage (subluxation), disc problems, or even an acute injury. Now, if you were go to your medical doctor and ask for help with your LBP, he or she would typically do 1 of 2 things: 1. Prescribe a muscle relaxer or pain killer for the pain, or 2. Run some more tests (MRI, xray, etc) to determine any underlying pathology.

Lets now take a look at option #1: Medication for pain. Yes, I truly understand that pain drugs are there for a reason....when you are in serious pain. If I have a bone sticking through my skin because I wrecked on my bike and broke my arm, I understand that a pain medication would be appropriate. But to take a pain medication thinking that "this will fix" my problem is literally insane. Remember, pain meds only cover up the pain, they NEVER fix the reason you are having the pain. And the other serious problem with pain meds is the potential side affects that occur from them: constipation, difficulty breathing, drowsiness, confusion, muscle twitching, and many more. Finally, when you take a pain med for some pain that you are experiencing and you start to FEEL better, your mind tells you that "the problem is gone" and that you are healthy now. When in fact, you only put a band aid over the pain and never got to the true cause of the problem. Therefore, the cause of the problem is still present and the pain will 100% return.

Final Thoughts:
Always remember that health is not just the absence of pain or symptoms, but health is defined as your body functioning and healing at 100%. So the ultimate question would be: Where does health, function and healing come from? And the answer is FROM YOU. Health is your responsibility (not your doctors, not your insurance carriers, not your nutritionists). And the biggest missing link in health care is YOU. We look for so many ways outside of our amazing bodies for health when truly the answer lies within you. And the answer is the health of your spine and nervous system. Your spine and nervous system controls every single function in your body. For you heart to beat, for your lungs to breathe, and even for a simple cut to heal in your body; your nervous system controls all of that. So the first place you must look at for your health, for your function, for the healing of your body is the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Have you had your nervous system checked lately? If not, check out www.ohchiro.com for more information and see how you can be helped!!

Optimal Health Broomfield CO: The Evolution of Grocery Shopping!!!

2011-04-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

Optimal Health Broomfield CO: The Evolution of Grocery Shopping!!!: "Shopping for healthy foods in today's fast paced world can be a very daunting task. If you are anything like the average American (or ..."

The Evolution of Grocery Shopping!!!

2011-04-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

Shopping for healthy foods in today's fast paced world can be a very daunting task. If you are anything like the average American (or family), you have a job, you have kids, and you lead a very busy fast-pace life. And if I were to guess, shopping (especially for healthy foods) is not on the top of your priority list.

Well all I have to say about that is, "Shopping and Eating Healthy MUST be a high priority in you life." Why? Because the choices that you make today will 100% affect the rest of you life and the quality of the rest of your life.   Do you want end like every other American on multiple medications, living in a nursing home, suffering from multiple diseases with no hope in sight?? My guess is , "NO, you don't want to end up there."

So, with that being said, lets take the first step toward your health.

Step #1: Choosing and Shopping for the Healthiest Foods!!

A. Where to Shop
When you are buying organic, remember to start "at the top of the food chain. This means purchasing healthier meats, dairy and eggs. Look for meat that is ONLY grass-fed, not grain fed. This can be challenging in today's supermarket, but all you have to do is simply ask the butcher. You can also look into health food stores, food co-ops, local farmers, and online resources.
Check out www.foodnews.org to save money on organic fruits and vegetables. This list will give you the fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide load, which can be helpful when deciding to conventional or organic.

B. Stocking UP
Keep a good stock of some food basics so you can whip a meal together quickly without going to the grocery store.
Schedule at least 1 15 time per week to plan your meals for the following week. This will help you save money at the store by not buying all the junk food you normally buy.   Also, as you start purchasing healthier foods (yes, healthy foods go bad quicker), you will need to schedule at least 2 (maybe 3) times week that you actually go to the grocery. These can be quick 20 minute trips where you are only buying the necessary foods for the week.
Finally, keep your shopping list handy throughout the week so it can be updated as you go thru the week.

C. In the Store
You have heard this before, but always shop around the outside of the store. When you get in to the inside aisles, you will find highly processed, chemical latent, toxic foods. These should be highly avoided.

D. Reading Label
The most important part of the label is the ingredients, not the calories, carbs, fats, or proteins.   When read a label, a good rule to follow is 10 ingredients or less. If there are ingredients on the label that you cannot read, that you cannot understand or comprehend, GUESS WHAT, neither can you body. Our FDA has approved over 3000 chemical that are now considered OK for us to consume. Let me ask you a question, "Would you ever consider drinking pure RED Dye #40 to satisfy your thirst?" I would say definitely not, so why are you or your kids eating foods with red#40? Think about it!!

Watch out for the following hidden ingredients:
1. Various forms of sugar (foods ending in -ose)-sucrose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, maltose, etc.
2. MSG-Monosodium Glutamate---avoid at all costs
3. Artificial sweetners-sucralose, aspartame, splenda, nutrasweet, equal
4. Hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated oils.
5. Don't buy FAT FREE-they only replace it with SUGAR.
6. Avoid additives, colorings, and perservatives.

Final Notes:
It is our hope that this information will help you and your family lead a healthier life style. If you have any questions of would like further help with your nutrition or your health, please contact Dr. Dustin Ferrell at drferrell@ohchiro.com

Visit us at:
www.ohchiro.com or
http://www.facebook.com/ohchiro

The process of change!!!!!

2009-01-26T14:03:00.000-08:00

THE PROCESS OF CHANGE
By Beth Sturges
coachingwithbeth@gmail.com

Quote: “Small steps taken consistently over a long period of time produce results”

Change is a Step-by-Step Process

Established patterns of behavior do not change easily. When we come to believe that the majority of our behaviors are rooted in our unconscious mind and that we are mostly operating from early childhood programming, our resistance to change becomes more understandable. One thing we know about change is determined by one of the basic laws of nature: there can never be a void. It takes a certain amount of courage and support to step into the unknown. If we are going to give up a certain habit or behavior, we will have to have something else to take its place. Lasting change is a process of replacing one behavior for another, gradually and consistently over a period of time.

Scientific Research

The motivation to change has been at the center of hundreds of theories in the field of psychology. Researchers for the National Institute of Health set out to study the process of change by looking at the behaviors of people who changed some specific behavior without any specific type of intervention. These “self-changers” were not always successful in maintaining the changed behavior as there is still a need for guidance and support, but they seemed to tap into the inner strength and confidence necessary to develop the motivation for change. In studying these self-changers, the researchers were able to discover a natural process that has helped take some of the mystery out of the change process.

Here is what the research has taught us. Change takes place in predictable stages. There are six stages one must go through in order to make lasting change. Knowing which stage you are in regarding the issue you are working on can help you accept the amount of time it takes, which can help motivate you to keep going and, can also help you choose which process of intervention is best for you at the time. Link to the Six Stages of Change Article -----

SIX STAGES OF CHANGE

All stages are necessary, however, this is not a linear progression. The self-changers had to renew their efforts several times by developing more effective relapse plans. Each time we recycle through the process, there is a new awareness of what could have been done differently. People who take action and fail are more likely to succeed than those who don’t take any action at all. Courage is not just starting, but trying again another day.
.
Here’s a recap of the research and the six stages of change:

Pre-contemplation – In denial of the problem - resisting change and feeling hopeless that can ever change. We are all unaware of the strategies we use that cause problems in our lives. They are just strategies and behaviors put in place early on to help us cope with the problems of life. Because avoiding pain is more motivational than seeking pleasure; often it takes the painful consequences of our self-defeating behaviors to help us come out of denial. Desiring to change some behaviors that create undesirable consequences becomes the motivational force. Interventions: Noticing the weaknesses we see in others as a clue to what we hesitate to see in ourselves. Letting other people show us our weak spots without our getting defensive. (It is helpful to look at how the structures in place within our society support the problem.) (Example: (TV watching = less exercise)

Contemplation – Change is on the horizon. We recognize that we have a problem, but are stuck and wonder about possible solutions. Thinking: I tried to do it before and it didn’t work, maybe I should find a different way this time. I do not really know what or when, but maybe I should start thinking about this. Interventions: Gathering information about the issue, reading books and articles, listening to others, considering various options, dealing with our fear of failure, feeling the pain of not changing. (It is common to get stuck in this stage.)

Preparation – Getting ready and planning to take action at some definite point in the future. There are some practical things we are going to have to do to prepare. Looking at the consequences of giving up a habit or behavior and developing alternatives. This transition in thinking becomes the foundation for action. Intervention: Writing out a plan and making a personal commitment and perhaps sharing it with someone. (This key stage is often missed)

Action –Time to move. This is the busiest time of the six stages when the behavior and surroundings are in the process of being modified. Going too fast sets us up for failure. Every time we commit to a new behavior and fail, a negative message is internalized which undermines our self-confidence and thus, our motivation to continue. Intervention: Start with small steps (what you know you can do) (keep crunching it down until you can stay with it) Stay focused for 21 days until the new habit is formed. (Most programs start out with this stage, which invites failure and discouragement.

Maintenance – Staying there. Accountability is in place for six months minimum; and in some cases having to do with certain addictions, accountability may be necessary for life. Intervention: Develop a circle of support for your new behavior that is rewarding as in new friends, a support group, a coach or counselor, a new activity, a reward for success, etc. (We may start and fail several times with a certain behavir before finding effective ways to maintain the new behavior until it becomes a way of life.)

Termination – Exiting the cycle of change. The problem is completely solved. The old behavior is no longer a temptation or a struggle. The new behavior is in place and is automatic. Now is the time to add a new step to your overall goal. Intervention: Create a vision in advance of what termination of your overall goal would look like. Read it out- loud to yourself every day to help keep you focused throughout the process. (Success leads to greater success).

(Quote: “Take the long view, one day at a time”)

(You can read more about this study in the book: Changing For Good, by James Prochaska,PH.D, John Norcross, PH.D, Carlo DiclementePH.D)

EATTT--Monday Jan. 19, 2009

2009-01-19T07:53:00.000-08:00

Hello OHChallenge Participants...

I hope all you had a great weekend and I hope you are ready to start eating today. Today, you should be starting your full day of eating...hooray. For those of you that have some Ultraclear left over, go ahead and have 1-2 shakes between breakfast and lunch and between lunch and dinner. I you have already finished the UltraClear, it is best to have some small snack during those times. Remember, you have just spent 7 days cleaning out you system, so today start by putting healthy foods back into your body. Remember, this is a journey and you are on a path of greatness now.

Also, tomorrow, you will be starting the burst training. Hopefully, you have already watched the video (without laughing) and are ready to start. Please, plan ahead. When are you going to do the burst Training? Where are you going to do the burst training? What do you need to prepare ahead of time for the Burst Training? Follow the video exactly. You can do upper body one day and lower body the next day. If you are feeling ambitious, you can go through both upper and lower body. Remember, use common sense when exercising. If you have an injury, avoid exercises that aggravate the injured area. Have fun with the Burst Training, it is challenging yet FUN.

See Everyone on Thursday at 7:00pm at Front Range College!!!

Dr. Ferrell

Day 2-OHChallenge

2009-01-13T12:09:00.000-08:00

Day 2

As I am sure you are already aware, your mind can play very funny tricks on you (especially when it comes to food). I personally, seem to have the hardest time facing the 2nd day of the detox. Remember, staying hydrated is very important in this entire process, especially when detoxing the body??

I question arose from 1 of the participants today that I would like to address...."Is it OK to take over the counter meds during the program??" The answer is NO. Over the counter meds, prescription meds, artificial sweetners, caffeine, etc..are all toxic to the body and will destroy your kidneys and liver with time and continued use. Remember, we are cleaning out the very systems of the body that we poison on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. During time, we are eliminating toxins as much as possible. PLEASE REMEMBER THIS.

Finally, we are coming up on the end of the week. As you know, we are keeping track of your weight on a weekly basis to monitor you. Please make sure you stop by the office by Thursday at 6:00pm to weigh in. However, remember, this challenge is not about weight. This challenge is about you cleaning your body, replenishing it with better choices of food, and MAINTAINING IT. For some of you, I know weight is a huge factor and it very well should be. But remember, this is a process, stick to the plan and you can only succeed!!!!!!

Have a Blessed Day

Dr. Dustin

2009 Optimal Health Challenge Kick-Off!!!

2009-01-10T21:32:00.000-08:00

Hello All Optimal Health Challenge Participants!!!

(NOTE: this blog and the blogs to follow for the next 5 weeks are intended for participants of the 2009 optimal health challenge participants. If you are a participant, you are encouraged to read this blog on a daily basis and make any comments (or ask questions) regarding anything we can help you with or anything you feel will benefit others. If you are not a participant and have a comment that would help our team, please feel free to comment also.)

First of All, thank you to everyone for being apart of this 5 week journey. We had a total of 48 people join this challenge and we are excited to guide you, to teach you, to inspire you, and ultimately to change you.

Today I want to address a few of the hot topics (and questions) that we encountered today. First, start drinking more water right away. At least half of your body weight in ounces. some of you asked about water...I personally have Eldorado at home and use bottled water at work..i also use a water bottle and encourage you too....I have done a moderate amount of water research, but I know some of you feel very strong about certain waters...please let us know any info that might help.

Also, many of you asked about teas..non-caffeinated teas are acceptable (green tea, raspberry leaf teas, etc), however, crystal light or Lipton is not acceptable. Please comment if you have further questions or facts regarding this matter.

Second, many of you inquired about getting this program to other family members, and friends. Please speak with Dani or Kristi and we will gladly get them started ASAP.

Remember, we are starting on Monday. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel to contact us at the appropriate emails.

Finally, your success depends on your level of commitment... Commit today and reap the benefits for a lifetime.

Dr. D

PS PLEASE FEEL FREE to post other questions on this blog!!!

Brust Training-Fitness-Essential #5

2008-10-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

The 5 Essentials of Maximized Living inlude:

1. Having a chemical/drug free life-
2. Adding the right nutrients to your diet-
3. Peace/Time/Stress management-
4. Having a healthy brain/body connection-Nervous System
5. Creting Movement- Fitness

This week, we are hosting a 4 Week BootCamp at our office (every Sat. At 7:45am) focusing on essentials #2 and Essental #5.
Burst or Surge Training, a type of Exercise, consists of short/high intensity bursts of exercise with minimal rest periods.

A typical routine would look like the following:
Routine :20-sec-spike 20-sec-recovery 20-sec spike 20-sec-recovery 20-sec-spike 2 min-recovery(3 sets)

For example: if you were going to perform jumping jacks as your exercise, you would do jumping jacks as fast and hard as you can (with good form) for 20 seconds, then you would take a 20 second rest, then 20 seconds of exercise, then 20 seconds of rest and finally one more 20 seconds of exercise then take a 2 minute rest. You would then repeat this 2 more times for a total of 3 sets.
The great thing about this type of exercise is that it can be completed in 12 minutes a day, you can perform any type of exercise (ie curls, squats, running in place, jump rope, spinting, etc.), and it can be done right from your home!!! What else could you ask for!!!

The biggest excuse that i run into with people about exercise is " I dont have enough time for exercise!!!" When the truth is you simply don't make enough time for exercise; exercise is not a priority in your life. If it were, you would schedule it in, just like you schedule your work, every week for the rest of your life.

What does it take to help people to realize that we were only blessed with one body, and we must consistantly (on a daily basis) do everything possible to keep it healthy???

Start exercising todya and reap the benefits for years to some!!!

When the Cure is Worse Than the Disease

2008-10-06T08:10:00.000-07:00

"One way to build an income in private medical practice is to hook patients on drugs that continually require re-examination, testing and prescription renewal. Blood thinners, for example, require prothrombin tests to determine how long it takes the blood to clot. Blood pressure pills require monitoring of blood pressure. And once patients start taking acid-blocking medications, they will find it is nearly impossible to stop taking them -- withdrawal will provoke rebound acidity with throat-gripping pain.Critical examination of the effectiveness of prescription drugs reveals convincing data that most prescription drugs are not only ineffective but may worsen the condition being treated. Some of these medications appear to be designed to create life-long dependency upon the drug, since drug withdrawal exacerbates symptoms. Even some long-standing drugs that are the hallmarks of modern medicine have begun to lose their biological punch.The major classes of prescription drugs are failures. Most drugs are never designed to address the underlying biochemical causes of disease -- and they may intentionally be designed to create life-long dependency." (Source: Mercola.com)

Dr. Dustin's Thoughts: "In 2006, when my father was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, we were told that he would have to rely on a daily blood thinner injection that cost $155.00 per shot. That would equate to $1085.00 per week, $4340.00 per month, and $52,080 per year. WOW!!!
The ultimate goal of reaching your maximun health potential is to never get to that point in which my father did. Act like you have heart disease everyday, act like you have cancer everyday...what i mean is do everything in your power to avoid these diseases..with your nutrition, with your exercise, with your lifestyles, with every aspect of your life!!!

Do Drugs Cure You?

2008-10-02T09:28:00.001-07:00

Do you truly believe that the more drugs that you take in a lifetime, the healthier you are??? I would dare to say that 99% of you would answer that question with a big NO. Why then, when you go to the doctor with a sick child, with a hurt back, with depression, with any ailment...why do doctors only prescibe you medicine!!

Look at like this...when you child has a fever, ask the question: why does my child have a fever?? BECAUSE your child was given and blessed with something called an immune system, a defense system to fight various infections. SOOOO, if a fever is occurring to fight off an infection, why in world would you give your child a drug (tylenol, etc) to lower that fever...you are robbing your childs ability to fight that infection (by lowering the temp). NOw, I know what you are thinking, what about high-high temperatures...and yes..if the temp is 104-106--that can lead to brain issues..so that might be a time to take a drug...But 99,100, 101...come on..let your childs body do the work, let your childs body fight, and i promise you that your child will be stronger in the future, they will be able to fight off future illnesses better......Think about it!!!! Are you helping or hendering yourself, your child, or your family when you are constantly giving them medication!!!!

So, to answer the above question..drugs do not cure anything..they simply relieve (or cover up) symptoms. And if you really think about, symptoms are not your problem (your headaches, your fever, your digestive issues, etc)..the problem is what is causing your symptoms. "You do not heave headaches do to a lack of Advil inyour body...You do not have depression do to a lack of Prozac in your body"....get my point!!! Hopefully

PS: My children have never any drug (including vaccines) put into their body. Now if there is a life threatening emergency, im not ignorant, then a drug might be appropriate. However, drugging our society on a consistant basis to achieve health is an insane pracitce!!!!

Why is Health Care Failing Drastically????

2008-10-01T21:25:00.000-07:00

The word Doctor comes from the Greek word "to teach." Some people ask why can't all doctors prescribe medicine. BECAUSE doctor does not mean Medicine, it means teacher...their are doctors of philosophy, doctors of religion, doctors of chemistry and so on.....

The bottom line...if you think you are NOT healthy, if you take medication, if you are over weight, if you eat fast food more than once a week, if you exercise 1 time per year and so on..... Your doctor better be TEACHING YOU How TO BECOME HEALTHY...or you are simply slowy dying. Bottom Line.

This Blog.... from this point forward will cover controversial/mainstream/historical Health Care Topics with the intention of helping you and your family live a long, healthy, and abundant life!!!

Many Blessing!!! DrD