The Balancing Center - Chicago Chiropractor

How Chiropractic Can Prevent Yoga From Wrecking Your Body

2012-01-25T12:45:00.002-06:00

Posted by: Madelyn George

On January 5th The New York Times ran a fascinating and controversial article called “How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body”. The article elicited a lot of angry responses from yogis, and probably did convince a lot of prospective yoga students to do something “less dangerous”. As I read through the article I admit it was pretty terrifying to read the stories of slipped discs and partial paralysis resulting from some of the more intense yoga poses, but I couldn’t help but wonder if some of the injuries might have been avoided if people had received care at The Balancing Center first.

Personally, I’m not going to stop doing yoga. The moral of the article was something much bigger than avoiding the practice as a whole. With yoga, like with any physical practice, injury is possible, but the biggest risk comes from tuning out the messages your body is sending to you. I plan to stay very present with my body, especially when practicing twists. When it feels like my body is saying “no”, I’ll listen. I hope you will too, and not just with yoga, but with any physical practice.

The care we provide at The Balancing Center is focused on getting people out of pain, improving performance, and improving lifestyle. As you can see from my chiropractic story, I was not in any pain when I started, but I was definitely out of balance. After my first few adjustments I noticed that I was able to perform all physical activity with greater ease and much less strain. Less strain means you’re less likely to get injured! We always tell people that you should keep coming in, even if you feel fine, because staying in balance can help you avoid injuries and pain in the future. It’s so true.

Regular adjustments aren’t the only thing that can improve your health and quality of life. The Balancing Center’s Foundational Movement Practices are a huge part of what makes our patients successful. In Dr. Fedeli’s words, “This is one of the main things we teach. It’s so important to learn how to use your body correctly, and we can teach you how to know when you’re pushing it too far. Our system is an incredible tool to help you sit and stand better, and the movement practices will definitely help you exercise more safely and effectively.”

Link to the original New York Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/magazine/how-yoga-can-wreck-your-body.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all

A couple of interesting response articles:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suhag-a-shukla-esq/yoga-wont-wreck-your-body_b_1195754.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/14/yoga-can-damage-body-row?INTCMP=SRCH
http://www.firstpost.com/living/om-my-god-who-wrecked-our-yoga-the-dirty-picture-of-a-5-bn-dollar-industry-183391.html

Top 3 Cleanses for 2012

2012-01-13T14:37:00.010-06:00

Posted by: Dr. Ken Bennett

The holidays are finally over and a new year has begun! Many of us have lofty goals and aspirations for 2012. If transforming your health and life in 2012 is one of your goals, might I suggest you start with a cleanse? There’s a laundry list of benefits to doing a cleanse (or detox). Any of the three cleanses I’m about to describe may help you:

- slow down the aging process
- strengthen your immune system
- improve mental clarity
- increase your energy
- enjoy better sleep
- decrease your pain
- lose weight
- enjoy a sense of well-being
- improve symptoms of arthritis
- improve symptoms of fibromyalgia
- balance hormone levels
- reduce inflammation
- improve skin health
- improve digestion

Have you started cleansing yet? That list of benefits is almost enough to make me want to drink some Palmolive... If one or two of these results sound good to you (and I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t) keep reading.

There is an overwhelming number of cleansing/detoxing options available (google it, you’ll see what I mean). I’m sure most of the options out there are helpful on some level. But it can get seriously confusing trying to pick the right one. That’s why we’ve guinea pigged ourselves for you...at The Balancing Center we primarily support 3 different types cleanses. Why only three you ask? Because they work. It’s as simple as that. They are based on solid research, have proven track records, and we all have personal experience with them.

Each of these techniques cleanses your system in a different way. I’ve done all three and I would recommend you do the same. We have different systems and organs in our bodies that need support and detox. And we live in an increasingly toxic world! Watch this video if you need any convincing of that... EWG's Eye-Opening Presentation.

With no further ado and in no specific order here’s our top 3 cleanses for 2012:

1. Alka-Cleanse gently cleanses the colon. It contains psyllium and herbs to stimulate and remove old toxic residues that have been sitting around since the Bears won the ‘85 SuperBowl. It also contains probiotics to help normalize the bacterial environment in the colon.

Personally, I do this twice a year (right after the holidays and in the spring). There’s really no reason not to do this. It’s as easy as taking 6 to 10 pills first thing in the morning for about a month. I look at it like spring cleaning.

In case your weren’t already convinced, Alka Cleanse is our featured product for the month of January. Purchase your bottle this month and get $3 off! (Normally $18)

2. Orenda Immune is probably the best cleanser/detoxer I’ve come across. It actually works at the cellular level. This is huge because we are really nothing more than a bunch of cells (about 100 trillion). Our cells have a lot of receptor sites for different vitamins, hormones, neurotransmitters, etc. Kinda like a lock and key. All of the toxins in our air, water, food, and personal products (if you haven’t watched the video link above, please do) stick to and block our receptor sites. Now we can’t fit the key in the lock, which means our cells can’t let the good stuff in and the bad stuff out, and communication with the other cells is cut off. Given time, our cells become unhealthy, and if our cells are not healthy, we are not healthy. Orenda Immune clears the toxins from our receptor sites which lets the good in, the bad out, and re-establishes communication between cells. Orenda Immune also helps to escort the toxins out of our body via the liver and kidneys. There’s really no other product like this.

I take it everyday and plan to continue doing so until something better comes along. Unfortunately our world is exceedingly polluted. This is one product that you can’t afford not to afford (double negative, I know)...

Orenda Immune is part of an awesome line of products that all produce brilliant results. Visit http://www.thisisorenda.com/index.asp for more information.

3. The McCombs Plan is a candida (yeast) cleanse. You can learn more about this at the McCombs website but in a nutshell this is how it works.

Everyone (man, woman and child) has been on antibiotics at least once. Probably multiple times and many of those were unnecessary (antibiotics don’t kill viruses). Overuse of antibiotics, especially in the food industry, is a new hot button topic because it creates drug resistant bacteria, but that’s another discussion. Antibiotics kill bad bacteria and good bacteria (the healthy ones in our gut needed for immunity and digestion). When the bacterial balance is offset, the yeast (candida) can multiply and overtake our colon, and then go systemic. Systemic Candidasis can create a myriad of problems.

The McCombs Plan consists of changing your diet to foods the don’t promote candida growth (no dairy, sugar, or grains) and taking supplements to help kill the candida, detox, and reestablish your healthy bacteria. You also drink a lot of water and regularly sweat (in a sauna or hot bath) to help detox. (Simplifying your diet to include fruit, veggies, meat, and brown rice is always a good idea whether or not you do this cleanse.)

This plan is AMAZING! Most people feel better within the first couple of days. I know I can attest to that. My sleep and energy improved in two days! The biggest benefit is learning how your body responds to different foods. It is truly eye opening for most everyone.

For more information on getting started on this plan visit the following link: http://www.mccombsplan.com/new/the_plan/index.php

Let me know if you have any comments or questions. Until next time...stay balanced.

The "D" Defense Against the Dark

2011-12-03T09:45:00.003-06:00

Posted by: Dr. Ken Bennett

You wake up, it’s dark. You leave work, it’s dark. Oh and by the way, it’s freezing outside too. That’s basically life in Chicago from mid November until mid March (man I can’t wait for Spring Training already). I’m sure you’re saying, “Hey Dr. Ken, thanks for pointing out the obvious.” Well the reason I’m pointing out the obvious is because without any sunlight we all become deficient in Vitamin D. Without vitamin D our immune system is depressed and we wind up with colds, flus or worse.

Vitamin D is a requirement for health and wellness, everyday for everybody. Our bodies are designed to make vitamin D through direct sun exposure on the arms and legs for at least 15 minutes. This is why vitamin D deficiency is so common. In the winter months, there’s very little sunlight and we are bundled up when we’re outside. For those of us who work, even in the summer we’re typically inside and get very little sun. In either case, you can see why we need to figure out another way to get vitamin D. Unless you want to eat fish liver (this is why cod liver oil has become so well known) you need to take a vitamin D supplement everyday. This will ensure you are sufficient and your immune system is supported along with a plethora of other benefits.

Two common questions come up with all supplements: How much should I take? And can I take too much?

The government's RDA (recommended daily allowance) is only 400 IUs. This is drastically low to satisfy our needs at anytime of year, let alone in the winter. Adults should take at least 2000 IU/d and kids should take 1000. In the winter, adults can safely take anywhere from 2000 - 6000 IU/d (especially if you start to feel like you’re coming down with something). As I did research about this I came across a newsletter from the Vitamin D Council*. “One researcher reports that human toxicity probably begins to occur after chronic daily consumption of approximately 40,000 IU/d.” He concludes by stating that (this is kinda funny) “In fact, living in America today while worrying about vitamin D toxicity is like dying of thirst in the desert while worrying about drowning.” So basically, don’t worry about taking too much.

Daily supplementation with vitamin D will strengthen and support your immune system. This isn’t limited to helping you not catch a cold or flu. There’s plenty of evidence that links vitamin D deficiency with cancer, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, allergies, autism and autoimmune disorders too. Vitamin D also plays a huge role in absorbing calcium which can obviously help to strengthen your bones, AKA decrease your chances of osteoporosis.

Bottom line: Take 2000 IU/d to support your health and wellness.

References:
http://www.innatechoice.com/uploads/newsletters/vitamin_d_what_everyone_needs_to_know.pdf
*http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/about-vitamin-d/what-is-vitamin-d/vitamin-d-toxicity

Nine Steps to Sitting InTensegrity™

2011-11-21T12:29:00.003-06:00

Posted by: Dr. Dan Fedeli

Just as shaking your computer mouse wakes up your computer, InTensegrity™ Procedures wake up your body and your nervous system. The goal of Sitting InTensegrity™ is to let the bones respond to the stress of gravity (your weight) instead of relying on your muscles to hold you up. Bones are made to bear weight while muscles are made to stabilize and move. When your body is functioning as it was designed, your system’s resources are freed up to do more of what you want.

1. Rock Forward - Using the same motion as the supine “Rock and Roll”, feel your weight shifting forward and backward as your lower back arches and rounds.

2. Pull the Shoulders Down first (toward the hips) and then Back (toward each other)[Click here for a 5 minute video]

3. Lean Forward - if your shoulders are down and back as your lean forward you will find a stopping point when your shoulders are over your center of gravity

4. Settle Back into the sit bones - without rocking and rolling the pelvis, move to the middle and then the back of the sit bones

5. Relax your stomach - take a breath in and out allowing your stomach to relax while performing a slight crunch with your rib cage (only enough to remove any hyperextension in your midback)

6. Release your neck - bend your head back (notice any tension/lack of motion), bend your head forward all the way, bend your head back again (you should notice more motion and less tension), then look straight ahead, tuck your chin slightly, and feel the length in the back of you neck

7. Internally Rotate the Hips - with feet flat on the floor 6 to 10 inches apart (about hip width) bring your knees over your heels (this settles your weight deeper into your sit bones)

8. Lean Back maintaining a sense of internal rotation in the hips

9. Enjoy the increased energy and comfort and get back to what you are supposed to be doing

Option B: Add a Forward Fold to step 1. “Rock and roll”, then fold forward onto your thighs letting your head and arms relax and hang. Arching your lower back lift from your head and chest to the forward sitting position. Repeat. Then continue by following steps 2 through 9.

Releasing Trauma at The Balancing Center

2011-11-10T13:18:00.003-06:00

Posted by: Barry Krost

Trauma is often the reason for the physical symptoms that we see at The Balancing Center. Trauma is an event that is so overwhelming to the person that they feel helpless and without resource. It leads to a disruption of the natural flow of energy and function within the nervous system that prevents us from being well and produces painful symptoms.

Trauma can begin with a physical injury, accident and/or emotional injuries. In these moments we can create a survival strategy that is initiated by our defensive physiology. Our body’s response to danger is a series of physiological changes meant to protect us. Long after the event we may be physically and/or emotionally stuck in a constant state of survival that is expressed as pain and other symptoms.

At The Balancing Center we have a number of methods for treating hidden traumatic responses including our BEST technique, and Family & Systemic Constellation work. The Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique (BEST) can address emotional patterns that are interfering with maximum healing. BEST is based on scientific principles utilizing light pressure contacts on the surface of the body to address imbalances in our nervous system caused by defensive physiology.

BEST helps the body identify emotional patterns that are interfering with our natural function, unlocks this interference, and then allows the body to function based on current situations rather than past experiences. It can release trauma in a safe way by bypassing the stuck patterns of survival without consciously addressing the details of the event.

Family & Systemic Constellations are a technique that uses a “Knowing Field” around each of us to help us to understand the hidden influences on our thoughts, feelings, behaviors and physical symptoms often resulting from issues in our family system. The Constellation process involves setting up a physical representation of the underlying patterns and allowing for these elements to move into a new and healthier way of being. Constellations can be setup specifically to change the dynamics of trauma. During these constellations the patient can explore their trauma, survival strategies and the possibility of living beyond them.

If you would like to learn more about the BEST techniques please contact Drs. Dan, Ken or Taka. For Family & Systemic Constellation work you should talk with Barry Krost, who is a trained Constellations Facilitator. We look forward to sharing more about these amazing techniques.

Small Steps to Success

2011-11-03T10:09:00.004-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Dan

For the third year in a row the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association is holding it's "Small Steps to Success" fundraising campaign. We invite The Balancing Center community to get involved! The funds will support important research investigating the link between upper cervical balance and optimal well-being.

For those who don't already know, our chiropractic expertise concentrates on the upper cervical vertebrae. This advanced NUCCA procedure uses extremely precise and gentle adjustments, and is unlike other kinds of care. Our initial focus is the neck because of its controlling influence on posture and many other body functions. Following adjustment, the body immediately shifts toward balance and neural communication is enhanced. The spinal correction process provides symptom relief and sets a foundation for optimal health.

Thousands of people have experienced life-changing results from NUCCA treatment. Here at The Balancing Center we often wonder what the world would be like if everyone had the privilege of receiving top notch NUCCA care. That's why this research is so important: the more the world knows about NUCCA's effectiveness, the healthier it will be. Between now and November 14th please consider adding any amount to your regular payment at check out. You can donate to the Upper Cervical Research Foundation directly by clicking here.

A Successful Outreach Program

2011-10-31T14:11:00.002-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Taka

Check out the following excerpt from a letter we received from Robert Morris College a couple of months ago:

Your presentation entitled "Sitting for Success" was extremely informative and will hopefully help our employees develop better habits in how they design their work spaces and how they sit at their desks...The realization that small things can lead to big problems was eye-opening.

Robert Morris College was just one of many locations for our incredible outreach program. Did you know that at least once a week The Balancing Center doctors head out to local businesses, organizations, and private homes to offer free spinal screenings and health education to members of the community?

This past Saturday members of the team said goodbye to new friends at the last Farmer's Market of the season on west Division. But that doesn't mean our outreach season has ended. From eye-opening spinal scans to "sitting for success", amazing health and wellness resources are available year round. Check out the following video for more information about correct seated posture.

Do you think members of your workplace, business, apartment building, place of worship, or social circle might benefit from a free screening or health talk? Contact us today! Call 312.787.7222, or email DrTaka@thebalancingcenter.com.

What is B.E.S.T?

2011-10-24T12:38:00.000-05:00

Posted by: Madelyn

Check out the following video to learn more about B.E.S.T. from Dr. Morter himself. Last week you read about how touch can improve body image and confidence. The Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique can address specific emotional patterns that are interfering with maximum healing.

Sometimes even when we are maintaining correct alignment we are still in pain. On the other hand, sometimes our bodies want to hide imbalances behind emotional trauma. In either situation, a qualified doctor can help the body release tension patterns. The B.E.S.T. work is powerful and effective, and integral to the work we do here at The Balancing Center.

Cancer Schmancer

2011-10-17T12:54:00.019-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Dan
The other night Dr. Dan went to an event hosted by Fran Drescher, president and visionary of the Cancer Schmancer Movement, though you may know her best as "The Nanny". Fran is a cancer survivor speaking out about the best cure for cancer: prevention. As Dr. Dan listened to her talk, he couldn't help but notice the striking similarities between her message and ours. Check out the following video to hear why Dr. Dan was so inspired:

Some of the specifics of Fran's message were related to environmental toxicity. Our immune systems are simply not equipped to defend our bodies against the toxic chemicals all around us. Here at The Balancing Center we have been longtime supporters of a unique product called Orenda Immune. The powerful blend includes a substance called Calcium D Glucarate, and it helps the cells of your body defend themselves against toxins.

As Dr. Dan mentioned in his video, we are very excited to be attending another important event about health and wellness this coming Thursday, October 20th, at 7pm, this time hosted by Orenda's founders, George and Bob Hall. You are warmly invited to attend the event. It is free and open to the public. Find out more here.

Cancer Schmancer, Orenda International, and Dr. Dan Fedeli agree that it is vital to incorporate proven health and wellness strategies into your life. You can do so today by making an appointment at The Balancing Center, learning more about Orenda Products, and attending Thursday's event.

Balancing Body Image

2011-10-17T11:59:00.003-05:00

Posted by: Madelyn

You may have heard that your posture affects your structure, and your structure affects your posture. Chiropractors at The Balancing Center teach their patients how to sit, stand, and move in a way that maintains structural balance and improves your posture. Our expert team of therapeutic bodyworkers supports this process. Another things that affects posture is body image. Low self-esteem, for example, can cause you to slouch. It turns out that in addition to many direct benefits, care at The Balancing Center can also help promote a positive body image!

There are many complex ways that a care plan at The Balancing Center can promote confidence through pain relief, increased energy, and better posture, but the most simple and direct effect on your body image may actually be the result of something very simple: touch.

In a recent article about the benefits of massage therapy, Laurie Chance Smith writes:

“The way we experience our physical self on the mental plane can become habitual and may generate habitual patterns of muscle tension. Since regularly scheduled massage positively affects body and mind, massage can help us release physical and mental patterns of tension, enhancing our ability to experience our bodies (regardless of their shape or size) in a more positive way.”

Our massage therapists here at The Balancing Center are so advanced that we call them bodyworkers. They do so much more than a basic relaxation massage. Mark Priest, Mary Holmquist, and Barry Krost all specialize in highly effective techniques to release tension in the body. All three of them understand how the nervous system affects our experience of daily life. Most of our patients realize the benefits immediately after their first session, and continue to come back for more. “Regular massage encourages an awareness of the body just as it enhances our ability to relax...Caring touch communicates safety and approval, boosting self-esteem and inner peace.”

Every visit to The Balancing Center includes this caring touch. Working with any one of our bodyworkers enhances the care you receive with our chiropractors. Most people who begin care at our office are surprised by the unexpected improvements in many different areas of their lives. Check back next week for more information about how our doctors address emotional stress using the Bio Energetic Sychronization Technique (B.E.S.T.).

For the full article by Laurie Chance Smith visit:
http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/1739/Massage-and-Body-Image

Chiropractic Care Helps Straighten Teeth!

2011-10-13T11:18:00.003-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Dan

Most people experience a lot of pain from orthodontic procedures. Dr. Dan’s young son Ram got his braces on earlier this spring. In Dr. Dan’s words, “When the teeth get adjusted, the body goes into defense.” Dr. Dan describes how the changes go deeper than just the mouth and jaw. As soon as Ram got his braces on Dr. Dan checked and adjusted him. He was able to use chiropractic techniques, working closely with the cranial bones in Ram’s head to release the tension in his body. As a result, Ram’s body stayed in balance as his teeth moved into an even sweeter smile.

Ram is 10 years old and every time his braces get tightened his father releases the tension and the teeth are free to move more easily. He experiences very little pain from the braces, but this is not the only benefit. Recently Ram returned from a trip to the orthodontist with exciting news: thanks to his father’s adjustments his palate is responding better than expected to the braces. He is about four months ahead of schedule! The teeth seem to move easier and quicker when the body is not fighting against itself. It seems as though Chiropractic care has allowed the orthodontic system to work better, faster, and more efficiently.

As another example of the unexpected relationship between the skeletal system and teeth, Dr. Ken encourages his patients to bring in their night guards to ensure that the nervous system has integrated the guard. I’m sure you have experienced a time when the doctor had you turn your head to the left and then right. One way your arm was strong and leg loose, the other way your arm went weak and your leg tightened (defensive physiology). Your body can respond in the same manner (defensive physiology) when you put in your mouth guard. If the doctor sees your body go into defense, he can help your nervous system integrate the guard, allowing your body to actually rest and repair at night with or without the guard.

Most people would never think to discuss their teeth with a chiropractor, but this is just one of the many anatomical and physiological systems that can be positively affected by chiropractic care. Both of these stories are also a testament to the benefits of inviting your friends and family into The Balancing Center community. Until they meet with a doctor, there is no way of knowing how their lives may be improved. Schedule an individual appointment for a family member, or bring them as a guest next time you come in. We can’t wait to meet them!

Shoulders Down and Back

2011-09-08T11:25:00.004-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Dan Fedeli

Check out our new video that demonstrates this important principal of tensegrity!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weK04BcYnA0&feature=youtu.be

Our mothers told us to pull our shoulders back...
Many yoga teachers suggest raising the shoulder up, then back and then down...
This video makes the case for Down First, Then Back:

When the shoulders go down before they go back, they stop in their sockets and are available to move when you need them to.
From the down and back position, it is easier to properly find and position your center of gravity
This proper positioning of the center of gravity sets the stage for the pelvis and legs to support the body...instead of straining the back muscles.

“Shoulders should not be responsible for posture”

Watch this video and see how this principal shows up in three of our ‘Foundational Movement Practices’ .

Tensegrity

2011-09-08T10:58:00.003-05:00

Posted by: Madelyn George

Fact: Balance of oppositional strain and tension allows us to function in the world. Though many people are trying to reduce and avoid strain and tension...it is actually the appropriate combination of these forces that support and propel us through life. The balance created by our care at The Balancing Center sets the stage for strain and tension to work in a productive and organized fashion. As a result, most of our patients learn an impressive new word as they begin their care: TENSEGRITY. Tensegrity is integral to what we do, but it’s also a mouthful with an interesting history.

“The term tensegrity was coined by Buckminster Fuller as a contraction of tensional integrity...Biological structures such as muscles and bones...are made strong by the unison of tensioned and compressed parts. The muscular-skeletal system is a synergy of muscle and bone. The muscles and connective tissues provide continuous pull[4] and the bones discontinuous push.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tensegrity

In other words it is the precise interaction of pushing and pulling forces in our bodies that helps us achieve and maintain a balanced state. According to The Balancing Center, this dynamic truly does allow us to function better in the world

For the Esoterics at heart the term also appeared in the writings of mystical anthropologist Carlos Castaneda and his experiences with hallucinogenic ceremonies in central America. Castaneda had created a movement practice that combined engineering principles with very abstract ideas about human energy.

“The art of dreaming became for those shamans their most absorbing practice. In the course of that practice, they experienced unequaled states of physical prowess and well-being, and in their effort to replicate those states in their hours of vigil, they found out that they were able to repeat them following certain movements of the body. Their efforts culminated in the discovery and development of a great number of such movements...They created in this fashion, Tensegrity, which is a term proper to architecture that means ‘the property of skeleton structures that employ continuous tension members and discontinuous compression members in such a way that each member operates with the maximum efficiency and economy.’ This is a most appropriate name because it is a mixture of two terms: tension and integrity....”
http://www.cleargreen.com/english/purpose/tensegrity.cfm

WOW! Did you get all that? You might prefer to talk to our doctors about Tensegrity when you stop by our office. Here at 1165 N. Clark Street, we strive to achieve those unequaled states of physical well-being in our waking lives, while sharing these experiences with our patients.

Our experience at The Balancing Center is the vast majority of people are maintaining a high level of chronic tension in order to survive. Our ‘Foundational Movement Practices’ http://www.thebalancingcenter.com/services-fmp.htm are a lot more user friendly than shamanic journeys, and have clear, straightforward, positive effects on your health. It’s all part of our master plan to get you feeling amazing and achieving your goals.

Dr. Dan's Chiropractic Story

2011-06-29T13:55:00.002-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Dan Fedeli

Anyone who knows Dr. Dan Fedeli and the innovative healing work he does at The Balancing Center might think that he was just one of those people who always knew he was going to be a Chiropractic healer. On the contrary, Dr. Dan’s chiropractic journey began unexpectedly when he was a junior at Penn State, studying to become a veterinarian.

Growing up Dan Fedeli’s main interests revolved around horses. Throughout his childhood he experienced chronic back pain, and though he was athletic he avoided intensive sports because of the pain. One day almost by accident he met with a chiropractor who lived down the street. While he didn’t notice any drastic changes in his back, immediately his sinuses drained, his allergies cleared up, and his headaches went away! This was the moment when he realized the effect the nervous system has on the body, and how so many symptoms could be traced back to imbalances in the spine. He remembers wondering “Why hasn’t anyone told me about this?!”

The course of his life had now been altered. Dan had enough prerequisites to transfer to Palmer College of chiropractic, and thus began his chiropractic journey in the summer of 1978.

But it wasn’t quite so simple. Dr. Dan was feeling better, but he couldn’t help but wonder why he kept having to get readjusted all the time. He pursued the missing piece and discovered the National Upper Cervical Association (NUCCA). This was a brand new perspective on the relationship between the head and neck and the body’s self-correcting mechanisms, and it worked!

After graduating from Palmer Dr. Dan spent six years working as an associate in an office that specialized only in NUCCA. Still, something was missing. It wasn’t until he incorporated Bioenergetic Synchronization Technique (BEST) into his practice that he realized in order to feel full freedom and functioning in his body, and to make that freedom available to patients, his practice would have to evolve constantly; one technique on its own would never have the effects he knew were possible. Without sacrificing the power of what is already in place, it is this innovative combination of techniques that has made The Balancing Center such a success.

The Balancing Center has now been helping people live healthier more energetic lives since 1987. To this day Dr. Dan’s favorite part of the job is helping people look at health from a different perspective. He feels passionate about offering individuals and their families the tools and resources to manifest their potential. He also enjoys witnessing the transformations that occur when patients choose full health instead of only getting treated for pain.

The care Dr. Dan and his associates provide here at The Balancing Center is part of Dr.Dan’s vision of a more harmonious world in which people are no longer in conflict with their own bodies, and are therefore better able to get along with each other. Not only is Dr. Dan frequently invited to speak to diverse audiences about his work and his philosophies, but he has made it part of his mission to train other doctors to make a profound difference in the world.

A couple of things most patients probably don’t know about Dr. Dan: he has been practicing meditation for over 30 years, and he is an excellent marksman! To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dan Fedeli, or with one of his associates call (312)787-7222.

Madelyn's Chiropractic Story

2011-06-06T13:14:00.003-05:00

Posted by: Madelyn George

My first time visiting The Balancing Center I had no intention of receiving any kind of chiropractic care. I was meeting with Dr. Dan Fedeli to talk about administrative tasks and goals. I was in great shape and perfect health...or so I thought. Having trained extensively as a dancer, and taught others about holistic wellness for years, I exercised regularly, took my supplements, and had no complaints. Then doctor Dan had me step onto “The Anatometer” and I discovered that one of my hips was way higher than the other!

To be honest, I wasn’t surprised at all. When I thought about it, I had been noticing differences between the left and right sides of my body since I was a young girl in ballet class. I had simply assumed that imbalances were a fact of life, and if I wanted to succeed I would have to learn to work through those imbalances on my own. I had no idea there was anyone out there who could help! Over the course of my dance training it was fairly normal to sit out of class every now and then due to minor injuries. Often the pain was intense enough that I might ask a teacher to recommend some kind of specialist. Physical therapy and massage were frequently recommended, but nobody told me that chiropractic could also help. It makes sense in retrospect; I had no idea that I was out of alignment, so I never thought to visit a chiropractor!

After my first adjustment, I have to admit I felt funny. My body was so used to living with imbalance that for a few days I felt like one of my legs had suddenly grown a few inches longer. One day I even tripped over it! I experienced some soreness, but it didn’t bother me because I had been told that my muscles would have to learn to support my newly balanced body. I couldn’t help but wonder how my dance training might have gone differently if I had been in balance all along. How many injuries could I have avoided?

I’ve been offering administrative support at The Balancing Center for about six months now, and the care I receive is a huge benefit. I love being part of the amazing Balancing Center Team and spending time in a healing environment each week, but every day I see patients coming back in after long stretches of time because they are in pain. I see patients checking out after their visits and making the decision not to reschedule until they are in pain again. When I began my care at The Balancing Center, I wasn’t in pain at all, and I am amazed out how great I feel, how free I am in my body, and how capable I am of using my body for all the various activities that make me feel more alive. I want you to know that the care provided at The Balancing Center could take you and everyone you know to the next level of health. Like me, you may be shocked to find out what you are capable of!

Dr. Taka's Chiropractic Story

2011-04-27T15:45:00.006-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Taka Nakaseko

Long-term patients who have been working at The Balancing Center to achieve and maintain optimum health can attest to the fact that excellent chiropractic care is often an incredible journey. Dr. Taka's path to chiropractic care is no exception. Fifteen years ago, Dr. Taka's mother survived a serious car accident. She healed from the accident except for a strange numbness on the left side of her face. They tried everything; Dr. Taka accompanied his mother to appointments with multiple doctors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists. Six months later they found their way to a chiropractor's office. After two adjustments, Dr. Taka's mother had healthy sensation throughout her whole face and Taka new what he would do with his life.

Though Taka was finishing high school and contentedly studying mechanical engineering in Japan at the time, he decided to come to the United States. He learned English as quickly as he could to qualify for pre-chiropractic training, then he attended Palmer College of Chiropractic. Though he was far away from home, he never doubted his decision. He will confidently tell anyone who asks, "Chiro chose me."

Now that he has had a chance to settle into his work at The Balancing Center, Dr. Taka believes that the whole medical system could change if everyone had access to the type of integrative health care he offers. He is disappointed that so much of Western medicine is focused on surgery when lifestyle changes and preventative care are truly effective and much less invasive.

"My dream," he says, "is that everyone learns about the potential of holistic chiropractic to help them feel better and optimize their life."

He also imagines a day when families might use chiropractic instead of general practitioners to live healthier lives. "There are so many things we could help with," he says. Dr. Taka emphasizes the less invasive procedures and long-term effects of chiropractic. The care can be woven into a person's life.

Before he began his chiropractic training, Taka used to get painful sinus infections every year. Since he embarked on this path there have been no signs of it! He also used to struggle with a frustrating pollen allergy. This is also gone. He is grateful to have grown up with parents who preferred holistic health methods to traditional medical doctors. A preference for holistic care has been ingrained in him since his developmental years and may have been what got him where he is today.

When I asked Taka to describe his ideal patient he answered that he is excited about working with anyone who is ready to be healthy and do what it takes and stick with it. In his own words, "Chiropractic is a lifestyle."

Dr. Taka looks forward to helping you achieve optimal health at The Balancing Center.

Written by: Madelyn George

Dr. Ken's Chiropractic Story

2011-04-18T16:46:00.004-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Ken Bennett:

Dr. Ken Bennett’s chiropractic story began when he was eight years old. He remembers having to head home from a vacation early. His mother was sweating profusely and he could tell she was in a great deal of pain. As they drove home she joked that he might have to drive. Despite the humor, there was an edge to her voice.

Something was very wrong with her back. She went in for surgery, but it didn’t help. It was only after the operation that she tried chiropractic care. She felt better immediately after the first adjustment. Even though Dr. Ken was very young his mother’s experience would influence the course of his life. Fast forward to Dr. Ken’s college years. He had the opportunity to observe a chiropractor who focused on the upper cervical spine. Dr. Ken describes the doctor he worked with as hilariously funny and full of energy. The technique he used was not the gentle approach Dr. Ken uses today, but it still inspired his work.

One day the doctor asked the young Dr. Ken what he thought chiropractic was. Dr. Ken really had no idea. From what he’d observed it looked like patients would have their backs “cracked” and they’d leave feeling better. That was the day he learned about the nervous system’s profound effect on the entire body, and the ways that Chiropractic care can support its healthy functioning. Dr. Ken already had interest in going into a health care field, but it was now clear that chiropractic was the way to go.

Dr. Ken has now been a chiropractor for over a decade. He can tell countless success stories of how people were transformed in the most unexpected ways due to their chiropractic care. In addition to structural work Dr. Ken also incorporates nutritional information and supplements into many of his care plans. When asked what he enjoys most about his job he said he loves seeing different people really start to learn how much power they have when it comes to their health. He also particularly enjoys all the different personalities he has the privilege of working with.

One of the things that makes Dr. Ken such an important part of The Balancing Center team is that he so firmly believes that covering up symptoms doesn’t work. In his own life he has rarely ever had to resort to medication. This is just one of many ways that Dr. Ken personally demonstrates the benefits of holistic care. He often says that taking care of your spine is like brushing your teeth. Everybody has a nervous system, and that’s all it takes to benefit from chiropractic care. Dr. Ken’s ideal patient is someone who asks questions. He believes everyone should take advantage of the free knowledge he and his associates here at The Balancing Center have to offer. The most amazing part, if you ask Dr. Bennett, is that so much transformation can take place with just a simple change of perspective.

Ortho-Bionomy: Body Work that Supports Your Healing Process

2011-01-27T12:46:00.001-06:00

Posted by: Barry Krost

Ortho-Bionomy is one of the massage and bodywork techniques offered at The Balancing Center. It is easily incorporated into our philosophy of balance, support and integrate. Ortho-Bionomy supports the recovery and stability of the newly balanced body initiated by the adjustment of the upper cervical spine and enhanced by innovative Chiropractic techniques.

Ortho-Bionomy® can help with all phases of your recovery. Practitioners of this work support our natural ability to heal by paying close attention to the muscles, bones and joints. With this information they place the body into specific, often comfortable, healing positions. The founder of Ortho-Bionomy, Dr. Arthur Lincoln Pauls, D.O., believed that the body had an innate intelligence that knew how to self-correct. Ortho-Bionomy’s positions are meant to engage that capacity.

Each position helps reset the sensors within the muscles and joints known collectively as proprioceptors. Creating the right twist and pressure in the muscles can reset these sensors very quickly. This supports a fast and effective reduction in muscle spasm and increased mobility.

Patients arrive for their sessions wearing loose fitting clothing. Once on the table we assess the structure and function of the whole body and individual joints. Specific positions are explored and easy movements are employed to integrate changes. Most sessions are sixty minutes but shorter times are available.

Once the Practitioner moves a joint into a comfortable position, within 10 to 90 seconds the body begins to restore normal muscle tone, increase circulation, remove pressure on nerves, and allow bones and joints to move freely. All the energy and attention that was used to deal with imbalance is now available to the body’s healing process. When everything is in its proper place transformation is possible.

Ortho-Bionomy sessions are available at The Balancing Center Monday-Friday and select Saturdays.

The Right Place

2010-12-09T16:24:00.004-06:00

Posted by: Barry Krost

I am thrilled to bring my Massage & Bodywork practice to The Balancing Center. For most of my 27 years of doing hands-on healing I have worked alone. In recent years it grew more apparent to me that a group setting would help my effectiveness with clients. It was clear that I would benefit from other perspectives, skills and energies. My recent training in Family Constellation Therapy brought home the importance of supportive relationships for health and well-being.

I was lucky enough that when I moved back to Chicago last summer I was given the opportunity to get to know Dan Fedeli and The Balancing Center better. I had known of Dan’s work over the years and met him in a training in 2003. A mutual friend encouraged us to network with each other.

Over the next months I began to get regular Chiropractic care from Dan, Ken and Taka. I have experienced a lot of healing modalities over the years and it was clear that what they were doing with me was amazing and unique. I also could easily see how my bodywork practice could fit into the center and I felt better.

Along the way Dan and I realized that many of my skills and experiences would be helpful to implementing a number of projects, and supporting various activities at the center. When I am not working on clients I am now actively involved in growing The Balancing Center.

As I begin to see clients here I know that this is the place and the people I was looking for. In this community my work has already reached new levels and I am very excited to see how my practice will evolve further. I am grateful that all the years of training in Ortho-Bionomy, Lymph Drainage Therapy and Energy Healing will finally have the home that was needed.

You can learn more about my techniques at: HealingBodyTherapeutics.com.

3 Ways to Boost Your Immune System this Winter!

2010-11-24T08:53:00.002-06:00

Posted by: Ken Bennett

Before we get to the 3 ways that help boost your immune system let’s take a step back and think about why we get colds in the first place. Basically, when a germ or toxin we eat, drink or breathe gets past our defense system we get sick. Why aren’t we always sick, if we are always eating, drinking and breathing. Because our immune system usually has the resources to take care of germs easily. So maybe it’s a matter of resources…

At The Balancing Center we believe (and with each patient continue to see proof) that the body is designed to be healthy but programmed to survive. We know that the brain and nervous system control everything that happens in the body (digestion, breathing, immune system, pleasure, pain and the list goes on). There are a number of things that can put our bodies into survival mode such as: germs, accidents, spinal misalignments, injuries, stress, poor nutrition, environmental toxins and the list goes on. When our nervous system’s resources are being used to compensate for a problem, they aren’t available to do what they are designed to do; for example, if your nervous system has to figure out how to deal with a body that is structurally out of balance, digest poor food, deal with a deadline at work or a project at home. It is busy. This creates stress and uses up resources. Our nervous system can lose touch with the immune system. That’s the perfect time for a germ to take advantage and sneak past our defenses. Once the intruder alert goes off the most pressing matter for the nervous system is the germ. So it tells the immune system to get to work but it’s too late. The germ is in and we get sick.

A cold is actually a good thing. Our body is getting whatever shouldn’t be there out of our system. It might not feel good but it serves a very important purpose. What we call cold symptoms is really our immune system (under orders from the nervous system) trying to make our body as inhospitable as possible for the germs. Think about this, if the only water you have is contaminated with bacteria what are you going to do? Yes, boil it! Why? So the bacteria is killed off. Doesn’t that sound like a fever? I’d say so. Then why do people take Tylenol to lower a fever and let the bacteria live? I’m not saying don’t take medicine when you have a fever of 105. Next time you’re feeling a cold coming on, instead of running to the medicine cabinet you can run to your vitamin cabinet. Ride out the symptoms and try and do something to support the fever or congestion (it is there for a reason). Do something to make your body even more inhospitable.

Here’s what you can do.

The top of the list is to help your nervous system. The more resources your nervous system has, the more your nervous system is able to function as it is designed to function (healthy and well) the more resilient and vital every system in our body is, including the immune system. If your nervous system is primed from regular adjustments, when you do get sick (which is inevitable) but, the cold will rarely be bad and typically will be short lived. I know that’s true for my body and I’ve seen the same thing with thousands of patients. A well adjusted nervous system will help every organ, tissue and cell in your body. Immune system included.

#1 Way to Boost your Immune System = Get adjusted and let your nervous system do its thing.

Next, we get to nutrition. What we eat and drink and the vitamins and supplements we take either support us or hinder us. Not taking quality vitamins and supplements while eating processed foods, grains, sugars and dairy will weaken the body. These foods lead to increased levels of inflammation, acidity, glucose and insulin. All of which increase cortisol, stress hormone, levels. Cortisol directly inhibits the immune system.

Eating plenty of organic, fresh fruits and vegetables and organic and free range meat gives our body the vitamins, minerals, protein and good fats necessary to be healthy. These foods all help to decrease levels of inflammation, acidity, glucose and insulin. Hence, cortisol levels go down and the immune system is supported. It’s really not complicated at all.

The following supplements all help to support the immune system either directly or indirectly. I’m going to list the names of the products we have in the office and the main supplement in it. We are very careful only to carry to best products in the office, so everyone gets the most bang for their buck. If you have any questions about why just ask.

Orenda Immune - glucarate
Vitamin D
Detox Essentials – vitamin C with bioflavanoids
Orenda Balance – decreases cortisol
Alka Green – barley
Alka Pan – enzymes
Omega Sufficiency – omega 3 fats, fish oil
Thieves – essential oil blend

Instead of robotusin or Theraflu, when I’m feeling sick these are things I take to make my body more inhospitable and support my immune system. And I totally eliminate grains, dairy and sugar from my diet.

Another thing you can do to strengthen every system in your body is a detox diet but that’s a different blog entry.

#2 Way to Boost your Immune System – Eat a healthy diet and take quality supplements.

Last on my list is sweating. There are two ways to sweat that support your health in different ways.

First, passive sweating is sitting in a sauna or hot bath. As your internal temperature raises your body detox’s from the inside out. The cleaner we are on the inside, the fewer hiding places for germs. Sweating a couple times a week for 10 to 20 minutes is a great habit and it’s relaxing. You can sweat when your feel good or ill. It’s never bad to take a sweat.

Second, active sweating is exercise. You really don’t have to exercise until you are dripping wet. Just getting up and getting your body moving helps to increase circulation throughout your body but especially the circulation of your lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is similar to the circulatory system but your immune cells are in the lymph not red blood cells. Exercise doesn’t have to mean the treadmill or the gym. Those things are great but you can also walk, stretch, swim, bike, skate, etc. The specific activity isn’t important, the doing something is. You also gain the benefit of a stronger heart and lungs while losing weight…all while strengthening your immune system.

#3 Way to Boost your Immune System - Sweat

The bottom line is that the more things we do on a regular basis to support and optimize our body (nervous system) the more vitality and resiliency we will have. We are still going to get sick from time to time. However, a strong body and immune system will respond better and faster to germs and toxins. You can never have too much health. The more we do when we are healthy, the shorter and less severe our colds will be.

Getting the Most Out of Your Care Starts with You

2010-10-18T13:28:00.002-05:00

Posted by: KC McCorriston

Foundational Movement Practices are one of the distinctive and unique aspects the care we provide at our center. When a new patient begins care, the first three appointments set the foundation for their care. During the first and second appointments we focus on gathering information, examining, evaluating, reporting our recommendations and expectations, and making the initial upper cervical correction. The third appointment is also longer than a regular office visit with time set aside for the doctor to teach the patient about our Foundational Movement Practices. These movement practices are something the doctor will fine tune and build on throughout your care. They are designed by the doctors themselves, and can be adapted specifically for each person. Foundational movement practices are great ways to integrate the spinal correction into your life, handle some of the discomfort that can arise during the healing process, and, can also help you hold your adjustments better! They are ways to teach your body how to move and use itself. As you use your body in a way that supports optimal function, you can go beyond relief and and actually support the healing process. The movement practices help to get your spine moving in a healthy way. They also provide support and consistency as you fine tune your exercise program and navigate your daily life.

I personally find that after sitting at a desk all day, my back can sometimes feel stuck. If I take five minutes to do the Rock and Roll and Forward Fold, my whole body feels more loose and comfortable. Another movement practice that I find helpful is the Morter March. It helps reset the the nervous system and brings more energy into the body. If you ever have any questions about Foundational Movement Practices, let us know. We are here to support you.

In Case You Missed It...Some Truths about Inflammation and Joint Pain

2010-10-07T15:35:00.005-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Ken Bennett

September’s topic was Joint Pain and Inflammation. So if you couldn’t make it or didn’t know about it, I wanted to share some of the information discussed. Just so you know, we do this every month and anyone and everyone is welcome from 6 to 7pm on these Wednesday evenings. This won’t cover everything but if you want more information just ask me or one of the other doctors when you’re in the office for your next adjustment. So here we go…

Joint pain does not occur without inflammation. However, inflammation can occur without joint pain. I’m sure what you really to know is where does inflammation come from and what can you do about it.

Two main things cause Inflammation: Trauma and Diet.

1. There are two types of trauma:

A. Shock trauma – high impact, short duration; such as an accident or injury. In a very short period of time, the impact creates misalignment throughout your body’s joints.

B. Strain trauma – low impact, long duration; such as repetitive work and poor posture. How does repetitive work and poor posture create trauma? Over a long duration, it creates imbalance in the alignment of your joints.

Underlying theme? YES!

Misaligned joints lead to improper motion, aka wearing and tearing and grinding of the joints. This equals inflammation which left over time will lead to decay, degeneration, pain, arthritis and a decreased quality of life. (If you are a patient and any of this is new information please talk to one of the doctors about that on your next visit.)

2. Diet

I could go on forever on this one but, in brief, the foods we eat on a regular basis can create inflammation throughout our entire body. The primary culprits of this are sugar (any grain, cereal or pasta with the exception of brown rice) and dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc). How? That’s another blog but lets just say our bodies are not really designed to digest sugar and dairy. The fact is sugar and dairy create inflammation.

Now for the good part, what can you do about it? First, you must understand some people can get away with doing one of these things and feel better, however others need to do more. Everyone is different. The longer your body has been inflamed, usually the longer it takes to overcome.

Find out if your body is structurally balanced. We are experts at finding and correcting the cause of structural imbalances.

2. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Eat less sugars (grains) and dairy.

3. Find out which supplements are best for you. Supplements can do a lot of different things to help with inflammation.

a. Enzymes can help digest poor dietary choices and work directly on inflammation.

b. Take Omega-3 fish oils, they are anti-inflammatory and basically just good for your overall health.

c. Detox your cells. The cleaner your cells are the easier it is for your body to efficiently and effectively minimize inflammation. We have extremely effective ways to detox your body, just ask.

d. Antioxidants help to minimize and clean up the substances that create inflammation and also feed your cells the nutrients needed to be healthy.

The bottom line is you are in control. You are directly in control of your diet and the supplements you take. If you’re not sure if your body is balanced, schedule an appointment and find out.

Consider everyone at The Balancing Center a resource. Our mission is to help people, feel better, get healthy and enjoy life. We love questions. Just ask next time you have one.

Healing Takes Place Over Time

2010-09-22T12:00:00.002-05:00

Posted by: Dr.Dan

We often find ourselves in the position of reminding patients that healing takes place over time. We have been conditioned to believe that alleviating the symptom means that we are better. At the Balancing Center we strive to get you feeling better as quickly as possible and for as long as possible...and we know that in many cases...Healing takes place over time.

Here are three main considerations

#1. It took time to get where you are. So there is momentum going that direction. It takes energy and time to stop whats going on, reverse it, and move in the right direction again.

#2. Priority. The nervous system runs everything in the body. Although we are designed for wellness we are programmed for survival, and there are many things going on in the body that we are not aware of. Pain is usually a high priority and people usually get out of pain before they are well, whole, and healthy. However, there is a priority system to healing, sometimes the pain is secondary to other problems. Remember... the foundation needs to be poured before the walls and roof can go on, so patience is a virtue

3. The physical limitations of matter. We have a chart in the office that shows how muscles heal in a matter of days, bones heal in a matter of weeks, nerves heal in a matter of months, and connective tissue can take 3- 6 months, sometimes up to 18 months. So if some one's problem is being caused by instability of the ligaments , they will be subject to exacerbation or aggravation on a more regular basis because the ligaments aren’t strong enough to hold.

There are several things that we do to approach these situations, one way is our integrative movement practices which help train the body to use itself the way it was designed, putting healthy stress on the ligaments...Some experts in the medical field don’t even believe that ligaments can heal once they’ve been stretched or torn. Fortunately, we’ve seen proof of the opposite, when you get the body’s tension balanced you get the flow of energy going through the body which can actually create repair. Utilizing our approach of Balance/Support/Integrate we find that most patients experience significant and consistent improvement within the first 3-6 weeks, many get total relief in a matter of days. We also find that the people who stick with us over time and go through the constructive healing process....maybe experiencing periodic symptomatic episodes....often end up feeling better, staying better and enjoying their more fulfilled, productive lives, with the coaching, guidance and supportive at the balancing center.

Side Effects: Are they worth the risk?

2010-09-10T12:46:00.003-05:00

Posted by: Kasey McCorriston

"Dr. Dan!" I hear one of the patients say from the waiting room, "besides the work we are doing here, I think I might have found another piece to the puzzle."

As I am sitting at the front desk I turn my ears on, hoping to hear what the puzzle piece was. "Well I was watching TV the other day and I saw the commercial for the cholesterol medicine I was taking. I see this commercial all the time, but this time I actually stopped and listened to the list of side effects that the medicine has. I realized that all of the side effects were things that I was experiencing."

I stop what I am doing, now fully engaged.

"So what did you do?" Dr. Dan said.

The patient replied with, "I stopped taking it, and I feel a lot better."

Walking down the hallway I heard him tell the doctor how sensitized he was from the commercials, how he had seen them so many times and never listened to the 30 second long list of side effects. Thinking about this, I realized that's just the purpose of these commercials. How they are set up is literally a sales tactic. I know that prescription drugs can be effective for symptoms, and also are necessary for some situations. I just hope that people research drugs before they consider using them. I hope that people actually listen to the commercials, side effects and all. I hope people consider safer and more effective ways of treating the problem, versus the symptoms. I hope we can all take a minute to stop and think about the things we are putting into our bodies and evaluate effectiveness and alternatives. As always, our office is here as a resource and springboard.

You already know this...

2010-08-25T12:53:00.001-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Ken Bennett

…at least I’d think you do since you’re reading our blog which means you have more likely than not been to and benefited from The Balancing Center. If that’s the case I wanted to let you know that even Consumer Reports thinks you are making a great investment in your health. Just click on the link below to see a short news interview about the benefits of chiropractic.

If you haven’t been to The Balancing Center or were unaware of the improved health and vitality you can achieve through chiropractic care. I encourage you to watch this video. We also have a lot of great videos and information on our website that explains how our approach is very unique and specialized, unlike other kinds of chiropractic.

One quick fact for you.

80% of all visits to a M.D. end in a prescription! If you like pills and like covering up symptoms that's great news. For those of you that want to treat the cause of the problem, give us a call, that’s what we specialize in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0sUyKpe6L4&feature=related

Crisis Prevention

2010-08-16T15:48:00.002-05:00

Posted by: KC McCorriston

In our society, people tend to take their car into the shop after something has broken down, install anti-virus software after their computer has got scammed, watching what they eat after they've gained ten pounds, and go to the doctors after their body has had some kind of crisis. One thing that we try and teach people is prevention. If you take care of things on a more regular basis (even if that just means once a month, or a few times a year) your crisis times will be less intense and take less time to handle. Having worked at the office for over a year now I am starting to understand patterns, especially the patterns of patients. We receive many calls from people in crisis trying to get in with the doctor as soon as possible. They then find themselves needing multiple adjustments to got back on course. Once back on track, they often say that they want to revise their treatments and start coming in for regular care so that they don't find themselves frenzied in a time of crisis. In my experience at the front desk, people who have integrated chiropractic care as a part of their lifestyle keep their body functioning well are better equipped to handle emergencies. They're body is more resilient and able to be healthy and balanced. We are here for all of our patients, whether it be a crisis or just a regular check up, but from my perspective I see the benefits of keeping yourself healthy and coming in to see the doctor on a regular basis.

The Secret Is Out AboutThe Balancing Center

2010-08-06T12:26:00.003-05:00

Posted by: Franklin Drob

As most of us know from our direct experience, something special occurs between the time of entering the center and when we walk out. Over and over again, I have observed several patients walk in quietly, only to leave with a big animated smile and a “thanks doc,” sentiment. Witnessing that transformation reinforces my confidence that I am truly in the right place. Part of my role at the center is to share the unique BC message with the rest of the world. Although the doctor’s schedule fills up, we still recognize that our unique message of care is still needed out in the world. After brainstorming with the doctors, it became clear that we need to take this show on the road and impart some of these pearls of wisdom with the rest of Chicago. As a result, Dr. Fedeli, Dr. Bennett, Dr.Taka and I came up with “Employee Productivity Programs.” Let’s face it we don’t know what we don’t know. Many of us know we want to be healthy, but we do not know how to integrate healthy practical solutions within the framework of our work and familial responsibilities. Therefore, we now offer programs to Chicago based business that immediately improve the lives of all those who participate. Our website has descriptions, but in summing up, our talks plus a nervous system check provides immediate results. In addition, Dr. Bennett’s discussions are fun because he takes seemingly complicated topics about the body and explains it in a way that is easy and fun to understand. I have shared his material with my network of friends and now I feel like I’ve been able to help those closest to me and now I invite you to do the same. For more information contact me to coordinate a health talk at your place of business or personal event and let’s share the best kept secret in Chicago.

The 90 Degree Solution (to Discomfort at Your Workstation)

2010-08-02T12:15:00.003-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Ken Bennett

If you feel stress and strain after sitting at a desk all day, it’s possible your body is out of alignment. This article will help you align your body at your desk. Before we talk about how to set up an ergonomically efficient workspace, you need to understand how the body is designed to function. Your body (your bones) should be in proper alignment, which means that the hips are level to the ground, legs are equal in length, shoulders are level, the center of the top of your spine lines up directly over the center of your tailbone/sacrum and your head is level. This is important because only when the body is lined up properly can the joints move freely along their joint surfaces, muscles engage symmetrically and appropriately to move the bones and joints and the nerves freely and openly communicate messages between the brain and the target organ or muscle to perform a desired function. If your body is aligned and functioning properly, you should feel pretty good. Misalignment means muscles are unevenly tight, holding bones and joints out of position; joints grind or wear ’n’ tear when moving, creating inflammation; and nerves can be irritated, leading to dysfunction or interference in the ongoing conversation between your body and brain. Over time, misalignments lead to chronic symptoms, pain and loss of energy and vitality. A properly aligned workstation, when set up and used correctly, means that a majority of the things you do 40+ hours a week will no longer contribute as much to any symptoms you feel, both physical and mental. If there are two words to remember when setting up your workspace, they would be “90 degrees.” Here’s what to do:

• Clear out the area under the desk. You need room to move and stretch your legs.

• Adjust your chair height so your forearms are resting at 90 degrees on adjustable arm rests (if available), with your elbows at your sides and wrists straight and at the keyboard.

• When the chair is adjusted as described above, your feet should be resting flat on the floor with knees at 90 degrees.

If not, a footrest should be used.

• Use a lumbar support on the chair to help support the natural curvature of the lower spine.

• Sometimes desks are adjustable for height. If not, a one-time adjustment might be needed to fit your body size.

• Keyboard trays are another option when attempting to set your chair and desk height. Adjustable keyboard trays are a great way to set things at 90 degrees.

• The keyboard and the mouse should be directly in front of you and easily accessible when sitting as described above. Elbows should be at 90 degrees while typing or using the mouse.

• The monitor should be directly in front of you. The top of the monitor should be two to three inches above eye level.

• Use a lift if needed.

• Document holders should be used if needed.

• Use a headset if you are on the phone a lot.

• Phones, staplers, paper clips, and other items used regularly should be within arm’s length so you are not straining to reach them.

• Take a 10-minute break every 50 minutes to move and stretch.

• Stand up when you are on the phone.

• Sit up straight in your chair and perform pelvic tilts for a minute or two as you read or type.

• Look away from the monitor and let your eyes relax and refocus.

• Gently turn your head to the left and right a few times.

• Sit up straight, relax, and breathe. These are just a few suggestions that will help relieve a lot of the stress and strain of sitting at your desk all day. If your body is in proper alignment, these simple adjustments and stretches should decrease any strain you feel at the end of the day. If you find that these tips are not helping, it is probably because your body is misaligned. These workstation adjustments will help prevent things from getting worse, but there is an underlying cause that is still there. The most important thing to do when an underlying cause is present is to identify it, remove it, and watch the body realign and start to heal. In my office we help many people realign their bodies and lives every day. We offer complimentary introductory workshops on the first and third Wednesdays of every month to learn more about our services. Call the office and reserve your spot for the next one. We are also available to come to your office or home to discuss ergonomics and other health topics or perform health screenings. For additional information visit the following Web sites:ergo.human.cornell.edu/ergoguide.html (ergonomics) thebalancingcenter.com/handouts.html (exercises and information)

The McCombs Plan

2010-07-21T12:54:00.002-05:00

Posted by: KC McCorriston

The Lifeforce Plan is one of the best decisions I have made, and will continue to make, in my life. The Plan (now called McCombs Plan) is a detox system that we support in the office that balances out the yeast and candida in our bodies. We get imbalanced candida in our body due to toxins and also antibiotics. This imbalance can come through as many symptoms, a few examples: fatigue, food cravings, depression, irregularity, digestion issues, weight issues, muscle pain and weakness, etc. There are many different outcomes that draw people to the Lifeforce Plan.

-It cleans the body and leaves a person feeling refreshed, energized, and at peak health.
-Many people lose weight and also rid of various other health issues.
-It helps people to understand what foods work well with their body specifically and what foods can meet particular needs.
-It also redefines food and the relationship one can have with supplying themselves with nutrition.

The plan consists of a specific diet, supplements, and daily sweating. When I first looked at the plan I was very intimidated and felt a little out of my league. After I started I was surprised at how my cravings were little to none and how the diet just became a part of my life. Although it did require a bit more planning, especially if I wasn't going to be at home, it was well worth it to get healthy and fulfilling foods. It was the first time for as long as I can remember that I didn't need a cup of coffee in the morning because my energy levels were so high. The daily sweating was the most challenging to find time for, but by far the most rewarding. It required me to find a small amount of time everyday to relax and spend time taking care of myself. Not only did I lose 25 pounds, but I also felt better as a whole, on the outside and inside. After the plan I was able to digest dairy for the first time in my life and found many patterns from the plan forming into a new lifestyle. The plan is set up so that you slowly add different foods back into your life, because of this I felt much more in touch with my own needs, on the nutritional level and beyond. If this plan at all strikes an interest with you, please do not hesitate to talk to me or the doctors about it or go to their website: http://mccombsplan.com/. Not only is it a great way to cleanse yourself, but is a chance to transform your life in a way you may not expect.

Getting Your Vitamin B's While Only Eating Trees

2010-07-09T13:15:00.003-05:00

Posted by: Whitney Compton

Since becoming a vegetarian three months ago, I have experienced really great changes in my body. I have more energy, my mind seems to be clearer and in tune with my body, and I have been unintentionally eating healthier by not having the meats tempt me into fatty meals. However, my diet does have to be intentional. I have had to check labels to be sure there aren't animal products. But more importantly, I have needed to make sure my body is getting the nutrients that animals usually provide. Many people question if I am getting enough protein. Beans, eggs, cheese, milk, Boca products, and nuts frequent my cupboards and fridge now. Up until a couple of weeks ago I thought I was doing great and had this whole veg-head thing down. Then Dr. Taka asked me if I was taking a B-12 or B-complex vitamin. I learned that these B vitamins have no vegetarian source, they only come from animals. These B-complex vitamins are important for the cardiovascular system and are extremely important for vegans or child vegetarians. While we don't carry B-12 or B-complex vitamins individually in the office, you can find them in your local store. However, the Orenda All-In-One male and female multi-vitamins do contain the B-12 and B-6 vitamins that you can incorporate into your diet. And vegetarian or not we could all use some extra healthful nutrients in our bodies!

Unlock Your Inner Yogi

2010-07-02T12:48:00.004-05:00

Posted by: KC McCorriston

Yoga, an ancient but perfect science, deals with the evolution of humanity. This evolution includes all aspects of one's being, from bodily health to self-realization. Yoga means union - the union of body with consciousness and consciousness with the soul. Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one's actions. ~B.K.S. Iyengar, Astadala Yogamala

How would we be able to utilize the benefits of yoga if our body is already out of balance? How can we truly feel connections in our body if our neuro-emotional system is out of sync? How could we relax and let peace in if we are always in defense mode and just trying to hold ourselves together?

These were once questions I didn't even know I should be asking until I experienced them first hand. I never expected my yoga practice to benefit the way it has from my treatment at The Balancing Center, and I know many other people who feel the same way. I had been practicing yoga for about two years on and off before I moved to Chicago and started working at The Balancing Center. After my treatment I noticed my practice evolving. Not only did I feel more flexible and capable of poses, but I also felt more in touch with myself. I felt more energy and dedication to my practice. Then the doctors started working with me on the foundation movement practices and how I can use my body more properly not only in my yoga, but in my everyday activities. My whole treatment helped me bring yoga into my daily life and really build my practice. Once I had my body back in balance I started working with Emily (who is available to teach yoga privately or in double session right here in the office). Emily brings the focus to the movement-breath combination that is crucial to yoga and really focuses on the person she's with and their needs/desires. She really helped me round out my practice and get a healthier, more personal, holistic view on yoga.

If you practice yoga, and want help from some of the doctors on poses or correct positioning, just bring it up in your next office visit. Also it's always a good idea to continue connecting your yoga practice with your healthcare and perhaps even setting up an appointment with Emily. Out of all the gains of my personal treatment, I know being more in touch with myself and my movements is something I am eternally grateful for.

Link into the Balancing Center: A Healthy Way to Stay Connected

2010-06-30T12:36:00.005-05:00

Posted by: Franklin Drob

As some of you may have noticed, The Balancing Center is going through online changes, which includes our media presence and consistent blog posts. We are excited about creating content and sharing ideas that are significant to you and our balanced community. But most importantly, we are eager to hear your feedback and read your comments and reviews because they brighten up our day and allow us to reflect.

Virtually speaking, you can find us on Facebook and Linkedin. Whitney has been on the Facebook scene adding and updating our Fan Page with current events and useful tips. We consider the page as more of an informal conversation, one where you can leave us a comment, share a useful link, or simply create a general message for all to read. So far, we have 70+ balance members, so if you have yet to get on our fan page, now is the time.

Linked-In is typically a professional social media website for those interested in our Employee Productivity Programs. We created these programs because we recognize the value in being balanced and cared for at work. Dr. Bennett and Dr. Taka present you and your colleagues with enlightening lunch and learns, chair massages and nervous system checks. If you are interested in having the doctors come in for a lunch hour please feel free to Dr. Fedeil’s page on Linked-In and we will coordinate all the logistics.

These social media tools allow us to share our message with those who have yet to hear about our unique care and support process.

Lastly, what we are discovering has tremendous value for our online presence in this world wide web of ours is your reviews. City Search, Yelp, and Angies list provides consumers with a voice that is read by other consumers. Although each website has a different theme, the idea is simple, write about your experience and provide a rating. If you consider our rating less than five star quality, please let us know why because we lovingly welcome all your feedback So now, join our group, link into our balanced network and leave us a comment because we the enjoy the flavor of the various personalities that make up our center.

Below are the various links:

Facebook: Type in “The Balancing Center”

Linkd in: Search Dr. Dan Fedeli

www.angieslist.com

www.yelp.com

www.citysearch.com

Your Body's Signals: What is it Trying to Say?

2010-06-21T17:50:00.001-05:00

Posted by: Kc McCorriston

Our body tells us what it needs, mostly we just have to learn how to listen and understand those signals. Many people find that after coming to The Balancing Center their body awareness grows. They find themselves more in tune with the needs and desires of the body and what to do to fill those needs. One thing that some people become more in tune with is when their neck is out of alignment. People can experience many different signals for when this happens including: clumsiness, jaw clenching, discomfort, etc. It is very fascinating to see the different signals people receive. I know for one patient, she finds nervous habits (biting her cheek and biting her nails) that come up when her neck is out. For me, I know I experience signals on a mental level: irritation, lack of patience, and overall cloudiness. It's amazing how after an adjustment I feel like my feet are back on the ground and I can see things more clearly. One way to become more in touch with your body is by doing meditation, here is one meditation I found particularly useful: http://meditation-relaxation.suite101.com/article.cfm/body_awareness_meditation. It's a process to learn how to listen to our bodies and interpret signals, but in the end it is one of the most rewarding relationships to work on.

The Little Yellow Pill

2010-06-16T13:08:00.004-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Ken Bennett

Next time you're making a run to Walgreens to restock the Advil, Aleve, or whatever it is in your medicine cabinet, you should take a second to think about what that pill is actually doing. Now, I'm not here to say that sometimes medicine isn't vital for pain relief or to save a life. It most certainly is. However, more times than not, it does not address the cause of the problem and leaves other problems behind.

At The Balancing Center, we know that the body heals from above-down-inside-out. I think we can all agree that your brain and your nervous system run everything that happens in your body. If the spine is out of alignment, that life giving information is disturbed or choked off. Your brain starts to send and receive signals trying to tell you that something is wrong. How does it do this, you ask? It gives you pain and symptoms.

We work with people everyday to help relieve pain by removing the nervous system disturbance and let the body heal itself, as only the body can, from above-down-inside-out (just typing that feels weird.) Imagine how your body likes to have its commands and chemicals altered while it's in the middle of doing something. Probably the way you would feel if someone disturbed you in the middle of a project...annoyed. What winds up happening then? You might feel better in the moment but at some point guess what shows up? Side effects!

So next time you have an ache or pain or some other symptom you might just be an adjustment or two away from allowing your body to heal from above-down-inside-out. Not only will you feel better but you get to avoid those wonderful side effects on drugs.

"The Doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in care of the human frame, in diet, and in the prevention of disease."
-Thomas Edison

New Study Underway for Chiropractic Care and Hypertension

2010-06-11T14:16:00.003-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Taka Nakaseko

I got an e-mail from the NUCCA organization this morning. The newsletter said Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research (PCCR), the world's largest chiropractic research clinic, is looking for NUCCA practitioners who are able to participate in a hypertension study. They have already been looking for 165 people with hypertension, or high blood pressure, to participate in a clinical research study with the potential for significant impact on the treatment of hypertension since December 2009. Dr. Dickholtz Sr., one of the biggest mentors of Dr. Daniel Fedeli, found and proved that the specific upper cervical technique (NUCCA) adjustment can decrease hypertension in his study in 2007.

Now, governmental organizations such as NIH, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration invest millions of dollars for PCCR to duplicate Dr. Dickholtz's amazing study. The research is called Chiropractic for Hypertension in Patients (CHiP), and involves the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami, Fla., and Trinity at Terrace Park Family Practice, Bettendorf, Iowa. CHiP will be directed by project co-leaders Dr. Christine Goertz, Gervasio Lamas, M.D. In addition, Joseph Bergstrom, D.O. will be performing the blood pressure screenings and physical examinations for eligibility. Dr. Christine Goertz said “More than 50 million Americans suffer from high blood pressure, making it the most commonly diagnosed disease in the United States."

In addition to non-pharmacologic interventions such as diet, weight loss, exercise, stress reduction, and yoga, specific chiropractic adjustment may be proved AGAIN as the best choice to lower blood pressure with no side effects at all. In the original study, statistician said "I don't even believe it, and there it was." I can't wait to hear it again!

*We have copies of hypertension research by Dr. Dickholtz Sr. in our reception area, please feel free to take them and share with your significant others!

My Orenda International

2010-06-07T15:27:00.004-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Dan

This posting is primarily a repeat of information in our last newsletter for those who didn't see it AND I have included additional information (which we have italicized below) about the immune enhancing, cellular detoxification product Orenda Immune. I've also included a couple of links you may find interesting and informative.

These days, there are many products that claim to cure all of your life's problems. It can be difficult to choose a product that can truly offer a solution and create positive change in your health. At The Balancing Center, we are very selective about products we support and always make it a top priority to provide you with the best that's available. All the products we recommend have been researched and personally experienced by our staff. Recently, we have found a line of products we believe will provide our patients with the support they need and deserve. We are so excited about our newest supplement line: Orenda.

Orenda is our new line of "longevity products." In order to enjoy ongoing wellness and well-being, the body must be given the opportunity to perform at its natural peak. To create this opportunity, Orenda has a three part system: Awaken, Cleanse, and Feed.

Awaken: Through the natural support of amino acids, O-Tropin focuses its anti-aging efforts on the pituitary gland and awakens the body's own anti-aging processes. The pituitary gland is the master gland and controls many of the hormones essential to healthy aging.

Cleanse: Detoxify the body and promote a strong immune system with Orenda ImmuneTM and All in One formulas. Orenda ImmuneTM is a proprietary blend of three revolutionary immune support ingredients: Calcium D-glucarate, Muramyl Peptides, and Beta 1,3 Glucans. Researched and published in respected journals around the globe,Orenda ImmuneTM provides a way to cleanse the body daily, at our most fundamental level, our cells.

Bruce H. Lipton, PhD, an internationally recognized cell biologist produced breakthrough studies on the cell membrane, which revealed that this outer layer of the cell was an organic homologue of a computer chip, the cell's equivalent of a brain. The research also showed that the environment, operating though the cell membranes, controlled the behavior and physiology of the cell, turning genes on and off. His discoveries run counter to the established scientific view that life is controlled by the genes. Bruce Lipton : The Biology Of Belief - Press Release. If the cells participation is a link to healing and consciousness, it is even more important to restore the cell membrane's capacity to function optimally. I have heard and witnessed many personal accounts of recovery from chronic, resistant and autoimmune illnesses by people incorporating Orenda ImmuneTM in their recovery program.

For more information, check out The Glucarate Report.

Feed: Take in powerful superfoods that nourish and protect the body with Oki and healthy chocolate Choki.

This triad works together like the Balance/Support/Integrate model that we embrace here at The Balancing Center. I have personally experienced great results with these products and am hearing amazing stories from patients who have integrated them into their program for health and wellness. Our adjusting protocol supports the integrity of the nervous system...the master system. With a responsive environment and healthy life choices, our potential is staggering. Meet me there!!!

Ask me or your doctor here for more information at your next appointment or visit Orenda's website at www.myorenda.com/balancingcenter! We are happy to check if this program is right for you and to set up customized recommendations for you at your next appointment.

Essential Oils: Why KC Smells So Good

2010-05-21T13:37:00.004-05:00

Posted by: KC McCorriston

(This really happened!)

While waiting in line to get into a local music show, the lady in front of me stops, she turns to me and takes a step closer. She puts her head close to me and takes a big smell. "You. Smell. Delicious. Hey Dale!" she shouts to the person in front of her, "come smell this girl!" She turns to me, "Your smell makes me happy." At this moment I happened to be wearing my new oil from Young Living called Joy. Joy is a fragrance that just so happens to be designed to create a sense of togetherness and be uplifting to the heart. From that point on I needed to learn more about oils.

Young Living is a conscious company that makes therapeutic grade oils. (youngliving.org/balancingcenter) These oils work on three levels:

1. Smell is the only sense that goes directly to your brain without going through your mind and your thought process.
2. They work physiologically, opening up receptor sites by knocking off toxins and other things that block receptors.
3. Putting on an oil is the action of a thought or feeling. For example if I'm stressed I put on Lavendar. It helps calm me down and reminds my heart and head that I am trying to calm down. Everytime I smell it, I remember my intention.

There are many different kinds of oils with different purposes. A few I use frequently: peppermint for stimulation and alertness (or just a general refresh), valor for strength and protection, lavendar for calming, relaxation, and small cuts, bruises, or burns, and a few other oils just because I love they way they smell! I guess strangers, especially those waiting for a concert, like the way they smell, too!

Water Works: Why Water Helps Us

2010-05-19T10:04:00.002-05:00

Posted by: Taka Nakaseko

Humans are made up of about 65% water. The water content of your body has to be maintained for your optimal health. Transportation of nutrients to all cells and tissues of the body is very important. Also, water helps us flush toxins, noxious substances, and metabolic wastes out of your body. If you are out of balance for a long period of time, you have muscle imbalance which creates uneven tension. Your muscles will work hard, lactic acid will accumulate in you, making it harder to fight against gravity. Accumulated lactic acid within the muscles causes aching and stiffness. A very precise adjustment to your Atlas, the top neck bone, followed by careful analysis frees those muscle from over-working. Consequently, accumulated lactic acid in the muscles are released into your blood stream. If you are dehydrated, it slows the transportation and elimination of the waste substances from your body. Although most pop, coffee, and tea are water, it contains caffeine which is diuretic. Including caffeine, diuretic substances are anything that promotes the formation of urine by the kidney. Even though research showed that caffeine only has a diuretic effect if you consume large amounts of it (4 to 7 cups of coffee a day), it is still good to drink water. Ask us for a glass of water after your regular check in our office. Just adding a couple glasses of water a day might have a big impact on your health!

Fruits and Vegetables: Friend or Foe?

2010-05-12T12:06:00.006-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Ken Bennett

Did any of you see a recent study that basically said there’s no real benefit to eating fruits and vegetables as it pertains to cancer prevention? Well I did and I was dumbfounded! It’s hard to believe how things like this are allowed in print, let alone a scientific journal…

I just wanted to share an amazing critique that Dr. James Chestnut posted on his blog. He is one of the smartest, logical and straight forward researchers I know. Everything he recommends and believes in boils down to one simple thing. How and what did our ancestors (caveman) eat, drink, and move? If it was good enough for them to live without cancer, diabetes, ADHD, heart disease, arthritis, etc. It should be good enough for us too!

I hope you like the article. I have learned and continue to learn a ton from Dr. Chestnut.

http://www.wellnessandprevention.com/index.cfm/2010/4/22/Fruit-and-Vegetable-Intake-and-Cancer-Risk

Basically, it's just like mom said..."eat your fruits and vegetables"

"I Put Some New Shoes On and Suddenly Everything is Okay..."

2010-05-07T12:18:00.000-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Taka Nakaseko

The temperature hit the 80s' last week and everybody seemed to start some activity in the spring breeze. Running is the most cost effective & time flexible exercise. If you can't run, 30 minutes of walking is a good second choice. Research shows even a 30 minute brisk walk 3 times per week can significantly lower the incidence of many health problems such as breast cancer, high blood pressure, and stress.

Go find your pair of running shoes & get ready to run! You don't have good pair of shoes? That's OK, I'd like to share some tips with you on how to choose the right pair of shoes.

Pronation is the key. After you take a shower, step on a piece of paper and look at the imprint. If you have more areas that are wet, you have flat feet (low arch or over pronator), if less surface area is wet, it means your arch is high (under-pronator). An in-between amount of wet area is called neutral pronation. The other good way to tell which pronation patterns you have is to bring your old running shoes to your chiropractor or sports store. Old shoes tell a lot!

As your feet fight against gravity, your feet get wider & longer during a day. Therefore, the best time to buy shoes is in the afternoon. Also, one foot might be bigger/smaller than other. If so, choose the one that fits the larger side.

There are 3 things you need to know before you choose the shoes: where you are going to run, how long you usually run, and what is your pronation pattern. When you pick the shoes, make sure to try them on. Don't go with its appearance!

Stand up and wiggle your feet in the shoes. Make sure your heels don't slide up & down as you walk. Your toes should have enough room to wigg le easily otherwise. You should feel your arch touching in your shoes slightly.

Forward fold, spinal twist, and short lunge are great preparations before a run. Make sure you know how to do those exercises correctly. Doctors at The Balancing Center are very happy to assist you.

Breathing

2010-05-05T09:39:00.000-05:00

Posted by: KC McCorriston

Breathing, in its simplicity, is life. In times of anxiety, our breathing is restricted. Many times by relaxing and lengthening our breath, we can release some anxiety. When we are swept up in the ever moving flow of life, we can find stability by equalizing the length of our inhale to the length of our exhale, and making sure to pause between the inhale and exhale. In the morning while we are trying to prepare for our day ahead, we can take short fast breaths and get our energy moving.

The doctors use controlled breathing during office visits, to help with adjustments and syncing the nervous system to the body and mind. There are so many essential uses of the breath that can help us on a daily basis. I tried looking up 'benefits of breathing' online, feeling very ridiculous, until a thousand websites came up with lists of benefits, and how good breathing can help people in so many ways. One website I found listed all sorts of benefits, which amplified my gratitude for breathing to the max: http://www.breathing.com/articles/benefits.htm. Being in tune with our breath is being in tune with ourselves, and being in tune with ourselves can help our quality of life. The simple fact that we are here, breathing, is by far the most beautiful thing we can ever have.

Aluminum in Vaccines

2010-04-30T14:30:00.000-05:00

Posted by: Dr. Taka Nakaseko

"No one in my lab wants to get vaccinated..."

According to the Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, a recent investigation of the role of Aluminum adjuvant shows that an aluminum compound can cause neurological damage. An adjuvant, found in a large number of vaccines, is added to help the vaccine increase immune response. Aluminum compounds are used as common adjuvant since its discovery many yeas ago. The pharmaceutical industry, various government agencies, and the FDA have proven to use them as a safe additive to vaccine.

The investigators have found various negative effects of aluminum hydroxide in vaccines such as, behavioral deficits, motor deficits, decreased motor neurons, and increased sign of inflammation in the central nervous system (the main control center of your body!).

As you know, your brain and spinal cord are main components of your nervous system, and those two structures are protected by the frame work of bones, your skull and spine. In order to have healthy nerve cells and smooth nerve flow, your frame has to be strong, flexible, and balanced. Healthy nerve function is also essential to your immune function.

Before you stick the needle in, tune-up your nervous system to boost your immune function.

For more information, click here.

Prevent Heart Disease One Day at a Time

2010-04-28T13:32:00.000-05:00

Post by: Dr. Ken Bennett

Do you believe the earth is flat?

Me neither. But this concept was accepted as fact for a long time. It took someone sailing around the globe which offered a new perspective to disprove a “fact.”

Might there be some current “facts” that will be proven baseless that we live by everyday? Do you think there might be some other concepts out there that seem far-fetched but sometime during our lifetime (I hope) will become accepted as fact? I, for one, definitely know there are a lot of ideas about health, nutrition, and the body that will become accepted facts.

I wanted to share a great interview with a former heart surgeon about heart disease. Maybe cholesterol doesn’t play such a big role in heart disease…maybe eating right and exercise (I know these are drastic measures) have a much more powerful role. Genetics definitely plays a role in heart disease, as it does in everything that happens with our bodies. However, a more important factor is what we do with and do to ourselves on a daily basis, that dictate how our genes are expressed. (Quick sidenote: If your nervous system runs your body and your spine controls the nerves. Don’t you think it is important to get adjusted, so your nervous system can function properly thus allowing your genetics to express their full potential? Me too, ok back to heart disease…) Please take a few minutes and gain a new perspective, click on the link below. I find this newsletter to be a great resource, always sharing ideas that more likely than not will become facts in the not to distant future.

http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/2009/09/risking-our-lives-for-big-pharma-profits/

In the future, we can talk more about what eating right really means. Could the food pyramid be another myth?

Please post your comments below.

Every Drop Counts

2010-04-26T14:19:00.000-05:00

Post By: KC McCorriston

"If I wasn't well hydrated the day before my stroke, I would've never survived," she told me. She told me what it was like to have a stroke, how she was in her apartment for three days alone, and how if it weren't for water and her overall healthy lifestyle, she would've died. Sometimes we need to be reminded that we are human bodies made mostly of water, and that it is important to remember to drink water and stay hydrated. Our hydration levels are directly related to our lungs (which use many cups of water just while breathing!), skin health, fatgiue levels, sleep patterns, digestion, clarity of mental thought, weight, and so much more! The amount of water we need isn't as clear cut as eight cups a day. It can depend on how much we exercise, our environment, and our health conditions. It's always a good idea to ask the doctors if there are any questions and figure out how water will support the health of your body! After talking to my friend about her stroke, I gave her a hug, thanked her, and poured us both a glass of water.

Defense Physiology: Have You Ever BeenTwo Places at the SameTime?

2010-04-21T13:05:00.000-05:00

Post by:Dr. Dan Fedeli

Take a moment to imagine you are spending a peaceful moment in the sun on a park bench. You are open to the gentle breeze and the birds chirping. Life is good. Suddenly, a police car turns on its piercing siren! But that's just life in the city. We become immune--or so it seems. How long did it take for your heart to slow down after being startled? What if, unknown to you, that response lasted days, months, or years, without you even knowing it? Defense Physiology is the body's response to an emergency or a consistent demand (the ongoing stresses of daily life) that becomes accepted as normal and necessary. In other words: we are not truly immune to city life. We seem to have built up a tolerance, but inability to relax, asthma, digestive problems, pain, and tensions are a few of the effects of "daily life." This seeming tolerance is actually abnormal programming in the central nervous system.

For me, my imbalances show up as tension and anxiety. These imbalances are like red flags that signal that my body needs some kind of support. "Support" can be compared to rebooting the computer. Sometimes it just needs to be turned off, and restarted. My internal computer (nervous system) can override the defense systems (fight or flight stressors), when properly supported.

How do you override the main frame nervous system? You do nothing more than make yourself available. When you come in for an appointment, we will notice the pattern in your body and "reboot" your system.

In the meantime, you can use some easy tools yourself. For example, your automatic nervous system can be aided using your breath. Holding your breath and contracting your muscles for several moments sends an emergency signal to the body to focus on immediate life support. You have turned your "computer" off. When you begin breathing again, enjoy some high quality breaths--deep inhales and relaxing exhales. This takes only a minute and can be done anywhere.

You can also control stress by using breathing techniques that lengthen your inhalation and exhalation. They should be proportional--the same length as each other. While breathing, imagine positive outcomes. This overrides the physiological defense patterning that seems to cause stress. These techniques work well with organized movement, like the tensegrity we teach at the BC, mediation, and yoga, to maximize your experience of health and vitality. In the present, you are safe and supported. Why let your body carry around traumas from the past? Here's to being in one place at a time.

A Day In The Life Of A Spine...

2009-08-26T10:04:00.001-05:00

Does your spine need help? Give this Chicago Chiropractor a call!

Some Basketball Inspriration...

2009-08-18T08:07:00.001-05:00

Chiropractic for Ear Infections?

2009-07-08T16:15:00.001-05:00

Need a Chicago Chiropractor? Give us a call!

The Truth – what our bodies can tell us

2009-06-19T12:42:00.000-05:00

Our body can be our most truthful source of information. It can tell us about our belief systems, emotional history, even traumas – both physical and emotional, as well as physical information about what's working and what's not.

On June 25 at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Ken Bennett of The Balancing Center will give us insights on what our bodies are telling us. Trained as a chiropractor, Dr. Bennett does more than relieve the usual backaches and neck pains we associate with his profession. His specialties in upper cervical care and bioenergetic synchronization help support both physical and emotional well being.

Join us for the second session of Chicago Well Being to learn more about what your body may be telling you, how to recognize its messages and what you can do to respond. We'll also learn exercises that will help you face challenging situations, how to sit so you avoid back pain, and what to look for when you decide to work with a chiropractor.

To be with us on June 25 at 7:30 CT simply respond to this email with "yes." I will send you the bridgeline number to join us. It is free and we welcome your questions.

To register, call 773-276-1970, visit http://bethbradfish.com/home.html or contact marybeth@bethbradfish.com

Jerry Rice Speaks Out For Chiropractic

2009-06-17T19:29:00.000-05:00

Need a Chicago Chiropractor? Give us a call!

Consumer Reports - Chiropractic # 1!

2009-06-07T19:28:00.001-05:00

Need a Chicago Chiropractor? Give us a call!

Chiropractic Care For Kids

2009-05-11T14:27:00.000-05:00

Need a Chicago Chiropractor? Call us today!

Swine Flu Pandemic?

2009-05-06T14:11:00.000-05:00

Everything in the news recently about swine flu reminded me of something I learned back in chiropractic school. Through a little googling, I was able to find the data and I’d like to share this information with you.
During the flu pandemic of 1918, it is estimated that up to 20 million people worldwide and 600,000 people in the U.S. died. The numbers are pretty staggering and imagine what those numbers might translate to with today’s population. The data also compared the mortality rates of those who visited medical doctors versus chiropractic doctors. Here is some very interesting information which comes from Walter R. Rhodes, DC that was published in 1978 by the Texas Chiropractic Association:

“In Davenport, Iowa, 50 medical doctors treated 4,953 cases, with 274 deaths. In the same city, 150 chiropractors including students and faculty of the Palmer School of Chiropractic treated 1,635 cases with only one death.”

“In the state of Iowa, medical doctors treated 93,590 patients, with 6,116 deaths - a loss of one patient out of every 15. In the same state, excluding Davenport, 4,735 patients were treated by chiropractors with a loss of only 6 cases - a loss of one patient out of every 789.”

“In the same epidemic reports show that chiropractors in Oklahoma treated 3,490 cases of influenza with only 7 deaths. But the best part of this is, in Oklahoma there is a clear record showing that chiropractors were called in 233 cases where medical doctors had cared for the patients, and finally gave them up as lost. The chiropractors saved all these lost cases but 25.”

What does chiropractic have to do with the flu? Quite simply, chiropractic has nothing to do with the flu. It has to do with the body’s response to its environment. Everything that happens in our bodies and life is perceived through the nervous system. What we see, touch, taste, think, hear, eat and breathe (flu included) is all processed and then responded to by the nervous system. When someone receives a chiropractic adjustment the sympathetic tone (fight flight system) is lowered. This means parasympathetic tone (rest/digest/detoxify system) is raised. This is a good thing! When our defense system is up and running it can respond to any and all foreign substances and do so efficiently. Those under chiropractic care have more responsive nervous systems. Therefore, their immune system can stand ready to respond to the environment. The flu bug is just another foreign body, as is the common cold and other environmental allergens that are in the air everyday. Our bodies are either ready to respond appropriately and ward it off. Or busy with other “emergencies” allowing these foreign bodies to get inside defense system and start attacking us from the inside out.

Does chiropractic treat the flu or any cold? NO. Chiropractic keeps the body responsive and ready to effectively and efficiently handle whatever the environment presents, including the flu virus.

Ken Bennett D.C.

Gentle Upper Cervical "Atlas" Spinal Correction

2009-05-05T12:27:00.000-05:00

Safe & gentle form of non-invasive care, with a focus on permanent results treating the source of the problem.

Original YouTube Post

NUCCA Chiropractic Educational Video

2009-05-05T12:21:00.000-05:00

Educational information about Chiropractics. Explains how the body becomes misaligned and how Upper Cervical Specialists are unique to the Chiropractic Profession in treating the underlying cause of all your symptoms and ailments.

Narrated by Charles Tuft
Original Music by Camille Charly

Original YouTube Post

Chiropractic for High Blood Pressure

2009-04-16T10:00:00.000-05:00

Need help with your health? Give this Chicago Chiropractor a call!

A Balanced Spine Lowers Blood Pressure

2009-03-27T17:31:00.000-05:00

Dr. Marshall Dickholtz, Sr. (Dr. Fedeli’s early mentor) along with Bruce Bell, MD and George Bakris PhD of the University of Chicago conducted and published a revolutionary blood pressure study. This study proved the relationship between upper cervical neck alignment and the regulation of blood pressure.

Therefore, the study implies a direct and powerful connection of the importance of the Upper Cervical Spine Technique (NUCCA) adjustment and the balancing of the entire autonomic nervous system. Dr. Fedeli and Dr. Bennett both practice this specialized technique that ONLY 500 out of 50,000 chiropractors are specially trained to do.

All of us at The Balancing Center are proud to be a part of a chiropractic practice that positively affects the lives of our patients and is gaining recognition in the medical community and nationally.

Help us celebrate by passing the word on to someone who needs to know!

Evening With The Doctors @ The Balancing Center

2009-03-07T17:26:00.000-06:00

This is a free, educational, new patient orientation class held on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 6 - 7 PM at The Balancing Center. This educational hour covers health, chiropractic philosophy, nutrition and exercise.

The Doctors will also provide information about the Upper Cervical Spine Technique (NUCCA) a specialized, gentle chiropractic technique. In order for patients to get the most out of their investment, all new and existing patients are encouraged to attend this evening event. As patients gain increased knowledge of their care, they will be able to get better faster and maintain wellness.

Patients are invited to bring guests that are interested in The Balancing Center chiropractic care and other services. All guests will receive a complimentary spinal analysis and are eligible for a $65 credit toward their first appointment.

Is Chiropractic All There Is?

2009-02-18T14:49:00.000-06:00

While chiropractic care serves as the structural foundation for all we do, we certainly welcome and embrace other services that are highly complimentary.

Yoga is often recommended to chiropractic patients. Since it works so well in restoring balance and improving flexibility, many of our patients see a difference in how long their adjustments hold.

Massage therapy and chiropractic have worked well together for years. Get an adjustment, let the body get to work on helping you feel better and let the massage therapist get to work on the surrounding muscles.

Looking for a Chicago Chiropractor? We may just be the office you need.